The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Ramiro Lopes da Silva, led a team of senior United Nations officials across the border from Jordan into Iraq this morning and is expected to arrive in Baghdad later today, where the group will re-establish a permanent presence of UN international staff in the Iraqi capital for the first time since hostilities began.
Lopes da Silva was accompanied by the country representatives of the World Health Organization, Ghulam Popal; the World Food Program, Torben Due; the UN Children’s Fund, Carel de Rooy; and the UN Development Program, Francis Dubois.
The arrival of the senior delegation in Baghdad will bring to more than 60 the number of UN international staff working in Iraq. Additional staff will enter the country in the north, center and south during May, to increase the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.
The United Nations team will operate from its headquarters in the Canal Hotel which was damaged and looted along with other public and private buildings in Baghdad following the collapse of law and order. The Swedish Rescue Service Agency will assist the UN re-entry by providing tented accommodation for staff returning to the Iraqi capital. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
