Vol. 565 No. 1
95 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view on the possible militarisation of humanitarian aid in Iraq and its implications for United Nations agencies and Irish NGOs anxious to work in Iraq and the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9832/03]
The Government's view is that humanitarian actions should be based on the principles of humanitarian law and the need for impartiality and independence in the delivery of aid. Emergency relief can best be delivered when there is a clear separation between the roles of aid workers and military personnel. Humanitarian workers run the risk of becoming targets if there is confusion between the military and relief efforts.
Concerns have been expressed by a number of humanitarian NGOs and other agencies in relation to recent chaotic scenes of food being thrown off the back of military trucks. I share these concerns. Distribution of food in this haphazard way is no substitute for the painstaking efforts of NGOs and UN agencies who determine those who are most in need and deliver assistance on that basis.
In emergencies all over the world, NGOs, the United Nations and others, such as the Red Cross family, have clearly demonstrated that they are best equipped to provide the most effective assistance. We have only to look at their work in southern Africa, the Horn of Africa, East Timor and Afghanistan to see how effective they can be. I would hope that safe corridors for delivery of aid can be established as soon as possible. I would like to see NGOs, the UN and other internationally recognised humanitarian agencies take the lead in the delivery of essential items to those most in need.
