25 June 2003

SALVATION Army teams in Iraq are now enabling millions of Iraqis to get much-needed food as their work with the World Food Programme gathers pace. In one location alone they will be ensuring food is distributed to nearly a million people. If each location reaches a similar number then the teams will be helping to improve the lives of around eight million people.

The Salvation Army's initial distribution of propane cooking gas (120 tonnes in eight trucks) served to meet an urgent humanitarian need. In the few weeks following this convoy the Army quickly became regarded as experts in the field of gas supplies as point of liaison for the NGO (non-governmental organisations) community. The relationships that were created with senior military personnel, Kuwaiti oil company managers and UN agencies meant that our involvement as advisors and link agents has continued.

The current focus of attention is to support the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in re-establishing the massive food distribution network. Prior to the conflict, some two-thirds of the Iraqi population were dependent on food distributions operated under the ‘food for oil’ initiative. This system collapsed prior to the conflict when UN staff members were withdrawn from the region.

The need to recommence this programme is urgent and the WFP does not have sufficient staff to implement, oversee and manage the receipt, storage and dispersal of food to local warehouses, silos and mills. To restart the food delivery system, The Salvation Army has been asked to act as facilitators to coordinate between the Ministry of Trade, local WFP employees and the local civil affairs unit, as well as with WFP headquarters in Basra and Kuwait City.

This need is for all of southern Iraq to the south of Baghdad and stretches from the Saudi Arabia border in the desolate south-western desert to the eastern border with Iran, and includes the governorates (provinces) of Al Muthana, Maysan, An Najaf, Karbala, Dhi Qar, Al Qadisiya, Wasit and Babil. The warehouses, silos and mills are in the provincial capitals of Samawah, Amarah, Najaf, Karbala, Nasiriya, Diwaniya, Kut and Hiljah.

The current contract with the WFP is scheduled to run until 31 July.

At present there are 15 Salvation Army personnel deployed in the region – two based in Kuwait, 13 in Iraq. Two others were working in Iraq but had to return home due to illness. Five more are currently at International Headquarters in London where they await deployment. An additional three or four personnel will be required to complete the team.

Management bases have been established in Kuwait City and Basra, with field operations units now located in five of the eight distribution locations. The programme is being overseen from Basra by American Salvation Army officer Captain Mike McKee.

Early security concerns were very evident. Some staff felt vulnerable and the celebrations that followed news of the lifting of sanctions caused anxiety. The firing of weapons in the air is common but, from an isolated house in a remote town, it is often hard to distinguish between guns fired in celebration and shots fired in anger.

The field teams report that the programme is developing well. The WFP distribution operation is now gearing up, with deliveries of food being received and dispatched. Civil and military liaison units are now being established in towns across southern Iraq. The Salvation Army team members are attending the meetings with these units, looking to explore other areas of need that are being reported.
 

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