The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the contribution of an additional $200 million to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for Iraq. This cash contribution will be used to procure approximately 324,000 metric tons of food, enough to feed 23 million Iraqis for one month, according to an agency press release.
This donation is urgently needed to provide food for the people of Iraq, and will contribute to immediate needs until additional US-donated food arrives and the UN Oil-for-Food deliveries resume. On March 28, the UN passed a Security Council resolution allowing the resumption of the Oil-for-Food program under UN auspices.
"This new contribution reinforces the US government's commitment to meeting the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq through our assistance program," said USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios. "We intend to work hard to continue to increase the Iraqi people's access to food and health services."
Some 266,000 metric tons of US-donated wheat, rice, vegetable oil and other commodities is already en route to Iraq, and an additional 400,000 metric tons is available as a contingency option as needed. In total, the US government is providing 590,000 metric tons of food worth approximately $375 million, and $60 million in cash for costs associated with food distribution.
The US Agency for International Development provides economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
