MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Following a request from the United Nations, funds for the purchase and
distribution of Australian wheat will now be redirected towards alternative
urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq.
Australia has agreed to the World Food Programme (WFP) taking over
responsibility for the two shipments of Australian wheat, under the reactivated
Iraq Oil for Food program (OFF). The WFP is concluding contractual
arrangements with the Australian Wheat Board Ltd to this effect.
The Pearl of Fujairah docked in Kuwait last night and has begun
discharging its cargo of 50,000 tonnes of wheat. This is the first major
civilian shipment of food. It is estimated the Australian wheat will help
feed more than 1.7 million of Iraq's most vulnerable people for six
months.
At the request of WFP, the second ship will now be re-directed to Aqaba,
Jordan to enable WFP to open up a western corridor for humanitarian
assistance.
During my recent visit to the United States heads of key UN agencies,
including the OFF program, asked that the $38 million allocated for the
purchase of more than 100,000 tonnes of Australian wheat be re-directed to
urgent humanitarian relief operations under the UN Flash Appeal.
AusAID is discussing with the UN how these funds can best be re-directed to
target the most urgent humanitarian needs. These are likely to include
clean water and health care, shelter for displaced people, food security and
clearing land mines laid by Iraqi forces.
The $45 million earmarked for the handling and distribution of Australian
wheat will now be available for further humanitarian requirements and priority
reconstruction activities, including in support of the central role that
Australia is expected to take in agricultural rehabilitation.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's office) (02) 6277 7500, 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960 0418 804
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