Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Denis Naughten
Question:
6
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will report on his understanding of the current humanitarian situation in Iraq; if his attention has been drawn to a UNICEF report which details the critical situation with regard to a shortage of clean water supplies leading to severe health difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14847/03]
Seán Ryan
Question:
36
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the food distribution system he envisages as replacing either the World Food Programme's system in the Kurdish areas or the previous Iraqi Government's in the centre and the south, upon which 16 million people depended for food.
[14766/03]
Paul Kehoe
Question:
47
Mr. Kehoe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the findings of Irish Red Cross reports on Iraq which detail severe water and sanitation difficulties, coupled with power shortages which are promoting illness and disease; the assistance the Government will commit to alleviate suffering; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14877/03]
Damien English
Question:
78
Mr. English
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he shares the concern of UNICEF in their recent statement outlining the serious state of children's health in Iraq; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a study has shown that acute malnutrition rates in children under five has almost doubled in 15 months; the assistance that is coming from the Government to tackle this appalling situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14845/03]
Paul McGrath
Question:
99
Mr. P. McGrath
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the submission from GOAL (details supplied) on humanitarian operations in Iraq; if his Department will be acting upon the recommendations of the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14855/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
160
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the extent to which he can positively influence the post war humanitarian effort in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15132/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 36, 47, 78, 99 and 160 together.
From the beginning of the current conflict in Iraq I have stressed that, as Minister responsible for development co-operation and human rights, my focus would remain on the protection and saving of human lives. This is the humanitarian imperative to which I continue to be absolutely committed.
Reports from humanitarian agencies and organisations working on the ground are closely monitored and provide vital information on the prevailing situation. Reports from the World Food Programme, WFP, UNICEF and the Red Cross family have been particularly useful. The submission from GOAL to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs on humanitarian operations stressed,inter alia, the need to make the aid operation in Iraq a UN led operation. I support this view.
The humanitarian situation in Iraq remains serious. There has been a breakdown in the delivery of essential services. Relief agencies are working in a very difficult security environment which is hindering humanitarian assessments and deliveries. Looting has been a particular problem. UNICEF and the Red Cross have placed a very high priority on the need for a safe and secure environment in which to operate. The ability of humanitarian aid workers to reach the neediest children is being impeded by a culture of lawlessness and fear. Contaminated water, poor sanitation and waste disposal have led to soaring rates of diarrhoea among Iraqi children. Malnutrition rates were very high even prior to the conflict.
There are at the same time some encouraging signs. Inter-agency co-ordination is good and the UN agencies and NGOs are meeting regularly. The WFP has delivered over 200,000 metric tonnes of food, nearly 4000 truckloads, using five corridors through Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Iran and Kuwait. The objective of the WFP is to gear up for one of the largest humanitarian operations it has ever attempted. This means ensuring that 480,000 metric tonnes of food are available each month, to feed 27 million Iraqis for five months. This exercise will involve the movement of 48,000 trucks. The WFP estimates that after five months an Iraqi authority will be able to take over the operation. Full distribution to the entire population of Iraq is scheduled to begin on 1 June, using the existing public distribution system.
The executive director of the WFP, Mr. James Morris, who recently travelled to Baghdad, is confident that serious hunger among the Iraqi people can be avoided. Mr. Morris will visit Ireland in July and this will provide a valuable opportunity for discussions on the humanitarian situation in Iraq and in other parts of the world, particularly Africa.
Deputies will be aware that I announced, on 25 March, a €5 million humanitarian assistance funding package to alleviate suffering in Iraq. As a result of reports emanating on the ground from humanitarian agencies, the key focus of this assistance is emergency support for health services, water and sanitation, food assistance and support for internally displaced persons. This funding has been delivered via the Red Cross family, UNICEF, the WFP, Concern, Goal and Trócaire. Funding has also been provided to assist with the co-ordination of the humanitarian effort. This funding package is now on stream. Our partners have a proven track record of providing effective emergency relief to those most in need in difficult operating environments. I believe that Ireland's assistance is reaching the most vulnerable in an effective manner.
I welcome the adoption on 22 May, by the Security Council, of Resolution 1483 and particularly the recognition of the vital role of the United Nations in the humanitarian and reconstruction effort. I have consistently emphasised that the UN has a substantial record of achievement in this area. I also warmly welcome the appointment of Mr. Sergio Viero de Mello as the new special representative for Iraq.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
7
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he is satisfied that the Fourth Geneva Convention in relation to civilians and to the Third Convention in relation to prisoners of war are being observed in full; and the source of his estimations.
[14764/03]
I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the conflict in Iraq and the situation there at present.
The Government has from the outset called on all combatants to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, both in regard to the status of civilians and in regard to prisoners of war. This policy is in keeping with the public pronouncements of UN Secretary General Annan and had been established long before the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1483. This resolution calls upon all concerned to comply fully with their obligations under international law including in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Hague Regulations of 1907. The US and UK have publicly committed themselves to doing so. However, the situation on the ground remains volatile and difficult. The total collapse of the regime has created difficulties for the occupying powers in fully and immediately meeting their obligations under the Fourth Convention to ensure the provision of essential services to civilians.
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not have a presence in Iraq. Thus any appreciation of the situation there is based on reports from other sources, including our Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and our embassies in the region, together with reports from the media and from non-governmental organisations.
