U.S. Humanitarian Assistance for
the People of Iraq (Archived July 2003)
Since the end of combat operations in Iraq, the
United States and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) have moved
swiftly to supply food to the Iraqi people.
- The United
States is utilizing the
Bill
Emerson Humanitarian Trust, Title II and Section 416(b) to
provide U.S. food assistance to Iraq. A total of 255,320 tons
of wheat, flour, rice, soybean oil, nonfat dry milk and pulses began
arriving in June and will be shipped through August. In
addition, to assist prior to the time that U.S. commodities could
arrive, the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) provided $200 million to
purchase an estimated 330,000 tons of commodities in the area and
another $55 million to assist with transportation costs. The total
value of U.S. food assistance to Iraq is $478 million.
- The WFP is moving in as security improves and
has appealed for and received 1.6 million tons of commodities to
maintain food supplies in the coming months. Over six months beginning
June 1, 2.76 million tons of food will be distributed to 27 million
people across Iraq. Most of the food will be paid for from money still
held for the oil-for-food program, and the rest will come from 30
donor countries. U.N. officials hope that when the six months are up,
Iraqis will be able to obtain their food from the marketplace.
- The lifting of UN Sanctions on May
22, 2003 extended he Oil-For-Food program for six months.
The United States is working in close
partnership with international institutions and other nations as well as
private voluntary organizations to ensure the rapid delivery of
humanitarian relief for Iraq. More critical than food availability
has been the security of people and transportation. Progress is
being made. Food ration deliveries, set up prior to the war und
the Oil-For-Food program are again taking place.
The United States is committed to
ensuring that there is minimal disruption to the Iraqi food distribution
system. U.S. food donations will help ensure that the people of Iraq
continue to have access to food.
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