Finland granted humanitarian aid to Iraq

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has allocated 1,6 million euros for humanitarian aid in Iraq, said Minister for Development Cooperation Suvi-Anne Siimes at a press conference on Tuesday. Of the allocated aid one million euros is channeled through the Finnish Red Cross and the International Committee of Red Cross, 300 000 euros through Finnchurchaid and 300 000 through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Siimes said that the decision is based on a stand taken by the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy. It implies that the aid given by Finland will be delivered through independent organisations. Thus one can trust the impartiality of the aid and guarantee that the aid will be delivered accordingly.

The decision taken now is a response to those already asking for help for the Iraqi civilians. In the coming days a joint appeal by the different UN humanitarian organisations is to be expected. Minister Siimes stated that also the Foreign Ministry should be prepared for a prolonged war in Iraq. There may be more pleas for help yet to come and we may face the budgetary limits, said Siimes. For the current year there are 38 million euros earmarked for humanitarian aid, but a reserve for unexpected crisis must be maintained.

Head of unit for humanitarian aid Lars Backstrom talked about the current situation in the Iraqi war. According to Backström there is no greater flood of refugees for the time being. In Jordania there are a few hundred refugees, mostly from third countries. Detailed information on population movements within Irag is difficult to obtain since nearly all international organisations have withdrawn their staff from Iraq. The ICRC is basically the only organisation still active in the area, Backström said.

Humanitarian aid and reconstruction are two separate issues, emphasised Siimes. Humanitarian aid is impartial activity aiming to alleviate human distress. Eeconstruction is a far larger, political issue including broadly-based discussion on how Iraq should be rebuilt and governed.