There Are More Humanitarian Aid Needed In Iraq

Tehran, Nov 10, IRNA - While the security situation in Iraq has slowly but steadily improved, there are many humanitarian needs that still have to be met, the outgoing head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Iraq, Magne Barth, said. Iraq still faces a lot of challenges, he said, adding, the level of violence linked to the conflict is slowly decreasing, but its cost remains high in terms of civilian casualties. Central Iraq and Baghdad, especially, remain volatile, unpredictable and often dangerous due to acts of violence that still claim the lives of tens of persons every month. Meanwhile, the political process is still facing a lot of obstacles. The ICRC is expanding its humanitarian activities cautiously but deliberately, Barth said, stressing, 'Our priority at the ICRC is to remain focussed on the areas and people most affected by the conflict and other violence. This means that we have to further expand our humanitarian work in the disputed territories and in the belt around Baghdad, giving priority to women heading households, physically disabled people, primary health in rural areas, displaced people and others who are not getting the services they are entitled to. The issue of missing persons continues to be one of our priorities.' Furthermore, in line with our mandate, our work in behalf of detainees will continue to focus on conditions of detention and issues of treatment, he said, noting, the ICRC has generally good access, and this is an area in which we can talk to the authorities on how to improve compliance with international standards where necessary./end