Transcript of the UN humanitarian briefing in Amman, Jordan, 6 April

[David]

Nejib Friji, UN Spokesman

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan wrapped up his weeklong briefings of all UN Member States on the current humanitarian situation in Iraq.

They discussed the humanitarian situation and the efforts that are being made by the United Nations, and of course there were also questions about post-conflict Iraq.

The Secretary-General said following his meeting with the Latin American and Caribbean and African Groups, "We briefed them on our efforts to get assistance to Iraq, wherever we can, but this would depend on means and access. Wherever we have access, we will try and reach the needy and we will do cross-border and cross-line operations."

The Secretary-General said that the meeting also touched on the question of the post-conflict situation and what the UN will do. "It is obvious that the UN will play an important role in post-conflict Iraq," he said.

"The exact nature and extent of that role is being discussed now among the members, but the UN has had quite a lot of experience with situations like this, and I hope the members will rally in trying to assist the people of Iraq, and Iraq. However this war ends, we will be ready to play our part."

In other news, the Security Council has endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendation to retain in Kuwait City for a further three months a small logistics headquarters of the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) to support UN activities in the region, where the world body is currently concentrating on humanitarian relief.

UNESCO's Director General, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, speaking at the opening of the Organisation's current session of its Executive Board in Paris (taking place from 4-16 April0, called on the Members of this Board to focus their energies on ensuring that UNESCO is ready to assume its proper responsibilities when the time comes.

He also announced, that in the field of cultural heritage, he would be convening in the very near future "a meeting of the world's leading experts on Iraqi cultural heritage so as to draw up a status report and an emergency safeguarding plan ", before sending, "as soon as the situation permits, a mission of experts into Iraq to complete this assessment and make an inventory of the most urgent needs.'

David Wimhurst, Spokesman for the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UNHCOI)

Umm Qasr - Some members of the UN team that carried out a humanitarian assessment in Umm Qasr on Friday are back in the area to day, to continue their evaluation of water and sanitation requirements. Based on Friday's visit the team has concluded so far that the situation is stable. The food supply appears to be normal but there are water and vaccine shortages, which is a situation that pre-dates the war. The hospital in Umm Qasr is receiving 200-300 patients per week, but it has a three-month supply of most essential drugs. A Disaster Assessment Response Team assessment indicates that people are moving around the town more freely, and that three quarters of the urban area is now supplied with electricity. Water distribution has also improved.

The Humanitarian Operations Centre, based in Kuwait, estimates that Umm Qasr port will be fully operational for offloading ships of up to 11.5 metre draft within three weeks. Other pier-side operations will be possible within the coming week.

Basrah - With the full cooperation of all warring parties, the ICRC sent its first cross-line convoy to Basrah hospitals from Kuwait yesterday, carrying medical supplies. UNICEF continues water trucking. Eleven trucks of water were delivered yesterday to southern Iraq; five of those are intended for Basrah.

Zubair - The HOC reported that civil affairs teams have distributed water and food in the town. The distribution was orderly and based on ration cards.

Nassriya - The ICRC reported that the town is without water, and that the medical stocks were destroyed during bombing.

Baghdad - Damage to infrastructure is further hampering relief efforts in and around the city. A bridge leading south from Baghdad has been destroyed and alternative routes south out of the city are unsafe. Teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross can no longer access the towns of Kerbala, Nassriya, Najaf and Hillah, and a convoy carrying much needed medical supplies for Hillah hospital, which we told you last week has large numbers of war wounded, had to be cancelled.

The ICRC considers the situation in the capital is near critical, with hardly any movement on the streets. The water systems will be quickly affected due to lack maintenance of power plants and generators, although fuel for generators is currently still available. The numbers of war-wounded in Al-Yarmoud hospital are rising and the ICRC continues to deliver water bags, conduct water supply repairs and provide other supplies, as needed.

Outside the city, disruption of the power supply from the national electricity grid is affecting water supplies in major towns, including Ramadi, Maymoudiyah and Al Husseinya.

Dahuk - Stocks of medical supplies in Dahuk are reported to be rapidly diminishing.

Marteen Roest, Spokesman for the World Food Programme (WFP)


Eager to open up food aid corridors into Iraq, WFP has, over the weekend, sent in the first major convoy from Turkey since the war began. Some 850 MT of much needed wheat flour carried by 34 WFP trucks crossed the border - 26 on Friday and 8 on Saturday, headed for the city of Dahuk for the people of Dahuk governorate.

The convoy is like a "test run" to demonstrate the feasibility of using this corridor for bringing food aid into northern Iraq. So far, 23 trucks have already off-loaded in Dahuk. WFP had no wheat flour stocks remaining in Dahuk, and virtually none in the other two governorates. The February and March distribution of wheat flour had not been completed, due to insufficient stocks.

Today a convoy of 34 trucks is heading for the Turkish-Iraqi border. Six trucks are loaded with the remaining 150 MT of wheat flour from the 1,000 MT consignment for Dahuk. Another 28 trucks are carrying the first part of a 2,000 MT shipment of wheat flour for Erbil.

A total of 6,000 MT of wheat flour is expected to be delivered to the three northern governorates in the coming week.

In an effort to open up the south of the country for food shipments, a WFP team is today on an assessment mission to the city of Um Qasr. During this one-day visit, WFP staff will be assessing food availability, the Public Distribution Network, as well as logistics - port and railway.

This is the second UN assessment mission. On Friday 4th April, WFP staff took part in a joint UN assessment. According to their findings, there are no food shortages in Um Qasr, and some of the food and flour agents belonging to the Public Distribution System are still in place.

Fadela Chaib, Spokeswoman for the World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO expects a severe deterioration of the health situation during the days to come due to daily bombardment that results in damage of infrastructure and sharp rise in civilian casualties. Many cities in the south and centre are virtually under siege and Baghdad is gradually being isolated.

The situation is having a big impact on the whole population, especially on the chronically ill. In Iraq, more than 600 000 have diabetics and 10% of them are believed to be insulin-dependant. Access to health care and drugs is getting increasingly difficult as stocks currently can not be replenished. The health workers are overwhelmed by injured and routine work is disrupted. People who need long-term treatment or a hospital admission won't be able to get the care they need. Even if the information is scarce, it seems that some medicines are missing such as analgesics, antibiotics, surgical items, anaesthetic drugs and insulin.

There is also a great risk of epidemic outbreaks due to the breakdown of water and sanitation infrastructure. In the longer term, disruption of surveillance for monitoring diseases, breakdown of public health programs, damage to health facilities, and malfunction of water and sanitation systems will lead to increased levels of illness, and higher death rates. The incidence of acute lower respiratory infections, diarrhoea and vaccine-preventable infections will increase.

WHO is also worried about the long-term consequences of burned and seriously injured people. If these people don't receive specialized care they risk suffering from serious long-terms infections that might lead to amputations, disability and death.

In 1999, there were 1,447 medical health facilities throughout the country, including 160 hospitals (both general and specialised centres). In addition, there are 1,285 health centres. WHO data indicate a total number of 26,961 hositals beds.


WHO has contacted l0 major medical stores and pharmaceutical distributors in Amman to procure 54 urgently needed medicines and medical supplies that will be sent to Baghdad as soon as possible. WHO is very concerned about increased suffering in Baghdad and eager to get supplies into the city as soon as possible.

Michael Williams, Spokesman for the (UNEP)

The United Nations Environment Programme is recommending that a scientific assessment of sites targeted with weapons containing depleted uranium be conducted in Iraq as soon as conditions permit.

According to UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer, and I quote, "although our assessments to date, under conditions prevailing in the Balkans, have concluded that DU contamination does not pose any immediate risks to human health or the environment, the fact remains that depleted uranium is still an issue of great concern for the general public. An early study in Iraq could either lay these fears to rest or confirm that there are indeed potential risks, which could then be addressed through immediate action. Based on its experience and expertise, UNEP stands ready to conduct DU assessments in Iraq in cooperation with the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other partners."

I have placed a press release outside in English and Arabic that discusses UNEP's views on depleted uranium in greater detail.


Wivina Belmonte, Spokesman for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)

- Statement Attributable to UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy -

With a large-scale assault on Baghdad now underway I want to remind all parties to the conflict of their legal and moral obligation to protect the lives of civilians, especially children.

Baghdad is a city of 5 million people, half of them under the age of 18. Over the past two and a half weeks there have been increasing reports of civilian casualties, with many graphic accounts of children killed, injured, and traumatized.

Our extensive experience working with children in conflict has taught us that in addition to the immediate effects, there are other profound and debilitating consequences that last for years to come. The scars of war do not easily fade. Physical and psychological trauma, fear, and the loss of loved ones continue to plague the lives of those who have endured such horrors.


Take for example, the three boys between the ages of five and six who were severely maimed this week when playing with a landmine at Garagow, near Dohuk. One boy had both his hands blown off, another may lose an eye. The lives of these children and their families will never be the same.

However sophisticated the methods of waging war, the end results are as bloody and tragic as they have been throughout the centuries. But there is at least one thing that has changed: increasingly, women and children are the principal victims.

UNICEF is particularly concerned about reports in the last few days of the use of cluster bombs in densely populated urban areas. These cruel and clumsy weapons are already reported to have claimed the lives of Iraqi children and their use must end.

The taking of a child's life is never an acceptable cost of war.

Peter Kessler, Spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for the Refugees (UNHCR)

Despite reports of heavy fighting around the Iraqi capital and scenes of desperate people leaving the city, there have been no significant refugee movements into neighbouring countries.

We've had reports this morning of explosions in the vicinity of Syria's Abu Kamal border crossing, which lies along the Euphrates river. We immediately asked the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which handles transport from the border transit site, to move three Iraqis who arrived on Saturday away from the area. The three refugees, together with several third country nationals, are currently on their way to Syria's Al Hawl refugee camp. The explosions this morning reportedly took place about a kilometer inside Iraq, about three kms away from the transit site.

Meanwhile, we're concerned about delays in the processing of asylum claims at Jordan's Al Karama border. Jordan is generously accomodating 33 Palestinian refugees who arrived over recent weeks from Iraq. All holders of laissez passers, they are in the Red Crescent/IOM camp for third country nationals while solutions for them are being sought.

It is the humanitarian duty of all countries to admit people seeking asylum. The refugee camp at Ruwaished is ready to accommodate any refugee fleeing the war in Iraq. We've also had word that some Iraqis residing in Amman have reportedly been deported. UNHCR has asked all governments to provide temporary protection to Iraqis. No one should be returned to Iraq during war time against their will.

Chris Lom, Spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

SYRIA -. In the early hours of Saturday morning, 47 Sudanese fleeing Iraq flew to home to Khartoum with IOM from Damascus.

On Saturday night, a further 12 Egyptians flew home to Cairo, after spending the day at the UNWRA compound in Damascus.


Today three Sudanese arrived at the Al Tanf border crossing point with Iraq.

Four Sudanese, one Chadian and one Somali, who had declined IOM's offer of transport to their home countries, today left the Abu Kamal border crossing point to travel to the El Hol refugee camp.

Yesterday's departures bring the total number of third country nationals repatriated by IOM Syria since the beginning of the conflict to 237. They include 160 Sudanese, 32 Moroccans, 24 Egyptians and one Eritrean.


JORDAN - Over the past 24 hours 9 Egyptians, two Somalis and two Palestinians from Gaza have crossed the Karama border into Jordan.

They where they were picked up by IOM buses and transported the 50 kilometres to the Ruweished transit camp.

Yesterday 10 Egyptians left for home on an IOM bus via Aqaba. Four Somalis left for Mogadishu by air from Amman yesterday, and a further two for Dubai early today.

Yesterday's arrivals bring the total number of third country nationals arriving in Jordan to 755. Some 512 have returned home with IOM assistance.

Currently, there are 242 third country nationals in Ruweished camp, which is run by the Jordanian Red Crescent, supported by the IFRC and IOM.

Questions and Answers

Q: A thousand people were fleeing from Baghdad in the last hour; do you have any information of where they might be going or moving?

A: We knew on Friday that there had been a large movement out of Baghdad towards the East and the Iranian Border - to a town called Badre. That is the last information we had, so I can't tell you where today's outflow is going, they could be following their fellow citizens in that direction but we have no hard information right now.

Q: Jill Carroll, Jordan Times: UNHCR, could you describe the delays, what is happening & why; and why are the Iraqis being deported, where did you hear that & why are they being sent back?

A: Regarding the group of Iraqis, we understand from various sources that a group of about 27 where deported from Jordan a few days ago. Once again these who are apparently people who are not registered with the UNHCR in the past, but as we have asked all the countries in the region, this is not the time to return anyone to Iraq. The other issue is that there has been many in no man's land, in some cases up to 5 days. The no man's land although does have a number of tents that were brought by the Red Crescent and the UNHCR, it is no place for anyone to stay for a long period of time. So we have asked that these people be speedily admitted on temporary basis & accommodated at the refugee sites at Ruwieshed.

Q: Do you know where these Iraqis went, I understand from what you have said, that any Iraqis are welcome at the refugee camps; are they staying at the camps in Jordan because they are being deported? About the camps in Syria, is Al Kamal camp straight at he border, isn't that a dangerous area, can't it be moved further, because it seems to me it might be dangerous & people might be scared to go there?

A: On the issue of the numbers of people, we understand that there are around 22 people waiting at the no man's land, that is at Al Karama border crossing, as I said Jordan has been extremely generous for decades in letting people in the country, especially with the burden 1.7 million Palestinian refugees, which is a refugee population unrivaled throughout the Arab world to the Palestinians. There have been a number of women hung up at the frontiers & that is unfortunate, but others have been allowed in.

On the issue of delays, of course, especially with the Palestinians, some of them have passes from various countries, some of which that might have expired & that has created delays in their processing & we would just like to see those people into Jordan & the refugee camps.

On the issue of Syria, the transit site is Abu Kamal, it is about 2km from the border. It is meant to be a temporary site & people should be moved as soon as possible. Indeed these explosions where just about 2km away & 1km inside Iraq, make it important to be transmitted as quickly as possible.

Q: What about the Iraqis deported from Jordan, do you know where they went?

A: I have no idea where they went.

Q: Regarding the aid distribution in Iraq, you are always saying that the situation & that is obstructing your mission, you also know that the war might continue for weeks & months. Are you not trying to find a mechanism for this situation & why have you not discussed this with the conflicting parties?

A: You have heard in the past few days the efforts that have been made currently from the south & the north. I can tell you that on the larger-country wide level, there is some very intense planning going on in New York, which will be announced, I would say, within the next couple of weeks, that would aim to see, we hope, more substantial entries into Iraq of humanitarian aid. Right now the military situation is extremely dangerous & obviously that is a consideration but as soon as the situation allows, it is very clear that the UN intends to deliver the aid that has been accumulating for the purposes of helping the Iraqi people wherever they are or to the extent possible given the military & security situation.

Q: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: You mentioned a shortage of antibiotics, anesthetics & medicines in Baghdad, but there are reports that the Iraqi government has interfered in the delivery of aid, that children are having operations & amputation without anesthetic. We of course know the Iraqi Red Crescent have rejected, probably under pressure of the government, that kind of medicine a couple of days ago. I would like to know what UNICEF & WHO have to say to the Iraqi government?

A: I have nothing to say to the government of Iraq. Given our experience & the information we are getting from different sources, that there is a shortage of medicines especially in Baghdad & the north. In the north, we have been able to purchase them locally, but know that the stocks are running out, there is a need to stock up on very specialized items, for trauma & surgical items. WHO has stocks in Amman & neighboring countries, we are just looking for ways to ship them to Baghdad mainly. We are looking for a way, perhaps in a few days; I will give you information about our attempts to get them in.

UNICEF's strategy before the conflict began, was to make sure that as many supplies where inside the country, especially inside & around Baghdad. That is work we where doing through the Ministry of Health, which meant supplies of medicine, high protein biscuits for children we know are mal nourished, therapeutic milk for children we know need it, in places we know they were needed. Our strategy was, if a conflict breaks, the best place to have supplies is inside the country, where we need them, when we need them. There are certain supplies, we know will last for at least a month in terms of the high protein biscuits & the therapeutic milk. We know that the demands are there, we have seen, read & heard the ICRC reports & we are absolutely concerned about the casualties that we see everyday on the television screens. Not only do we hope to get more supplies in, not only to Southern Iraq, Northern Iraq, but to Baghdad as well as soon as possible.

Q: What the Red Crescent said they were told was don't get medicines get fighters. That is a political issue & response, what do have to say to the government?

A: We take the position in this conflict as in all conflicts that the desperately needed humanitarian assistance, whether its food or medicine, must be allowed in to those who need it & it should not be stopped for any reason, militarily, political or ideological. That is the position of the UN.

Q: Peter Fuse, BBC: Do you have any explanations why those people have been deported - the Iraqi group you have mentioned earlier?

A: We have received no explanations from the authorities, I mean there are a substantial number of Iraqis in Jordan, there might be any number of reason, one can speculate about, but no matter the status of these people, even if they have broken the law, no one should be returned to Iraq at this time. If indeed they are lawbreakers, then they should be detained for a period, until they can be sent back to their country of origin. But because of the conflict in their homeland, no one should be returned to Iraq right now.

Q: Michael Jansen, Irish Times: Have you heard of any shipments going from Syria & the Syrian Red Crescent to Baghdad? It seems that the Syrian Red Crescent has been asked for medicines, but not food?

A: No I didn't hear any information.

Q: Michael Williams, can you comment on the UNEP Press Release about DU, could you confirm the US use of DU in this war & if so where?

A: I have simply read newspapers quoting US & UK officials saying that they are using DU weapons, but we have no further information ourselves.

Q: Charley Hanley, AP: the convoy that was headed for the Hillah hospital, do you know why it didn't reach the hospital? Do you know of any communication between the UN or NGO community & the US military about helping medical supplies in these towns Euphrates & Zepolon?

A: We understand that the access roads heading south from Baghdad are no longer open. The ICRC can't get through because a bridge across the river has been destroyed, and the other routes are not accessible, so they are incapable of getting in from the north.

There is the humanitarian operations center, operating from Kuwait, it is run by the Kuwaiti government along with the US military & it is suppose to be hub for coordinating information, in respect to humanitarian assistance. Any NGO's considering operating or getting stuff in, presumably will share information with the HOC. The UN shares with the HOC, but beyond that I can't give you any more information. You might get more information from Kuwait; they have a spokesperson there.

Q: I have read in one of the news agency reports that UNESCO expressed its fear about the heritage & historical places in Iraq. Do you have arrangements to preserve those places?

A: Let me get back to what the Director-General of UNESCO said, when he expressed UNESCO's readiness to help Iraq, when the time allows. He announced that in the field of cultural heritage, he would be convening in the very near future, a meeting of world experts on Iraqi cultural heritage to draw up a status report & an emergency safe guarding plan, before sending as soon as the situation permits an mission of experts into Iraq to complete this assessment & inventory of the most urgent needs.

Statement: Michael Jansen, Irish Times: This is some information. I asked a question when the British government had its briefing office opens about the use of DU. I asked the question to the British Military officer who was briefing the press in Qatar & he confirmed that they were using DU. The mans name is Simon Renn; he & Captain Lockhart are the main briefers in Qatar.

Thank you.