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28 May 2003
Weekly
Update
Value
of Shippable Priority Items for Iraq Exceeds $1 Billion
The
total value of priority items from the Oil-for-Food Programme�s
humanitarian pipeline that can be shipped to Iraq for emergency
needs has reached $1.1 billion. Most of these supplies are in the
food ($515 million), electricity ($261 million), agriculture ($182
million) and health ($128 million) sectors.
The UN agencies
and programmes actively involved in the review of the Oil-for-Food
pipeline - FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP � are currently looking at
additional contracts worth some $330 million, and the volume of
these items destined for Iraq is expected to accelerate with a six
month extension of the Programme to 21 November, adopted under
Security Council resolution 1483 on 22 May.
Resolution 1483
(2003) lifted civilian sanctions; gave the Secretary-General
authority to appoint a Special Representative to work with the
occupying forces in rebuilding Iraq; opened the way for the
resumption of oil exports, with revenues deposited in a Development
Fund for Iraq held by the Central Bank; and provided for the
termination of the Oil-for-Food Programme within six months,
transferring responsibility for the administration of any remaining
Programme activities to �the Authority� representing the
occupying powers. The Council has called on the United Nations to
assist the Iraqi people, in coordination with �the Authority�,
in a wide range of areas, including humanitarian relief,
reconstruction, infrastructure rehabilitation, legal and judicial
reforms, human rights and the return of refugees, and also to assist
with civilian police.
In its
�phasedown� prior to closure on 22 November, the Office of the
Iraq Programme and UN agencies and programmes will continue to
identify and ship approved and funded priority items in a pipeline
of humanitarian goods and supplies valued at some $10 billion.
Additional information is available from the website
of the Office of the Iraq Programme. For further information
please contact Ian Steele email: steelei@un.org
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