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ECC: Iraq

QUNO’s work on Iraq:

“For the Iraqi situation, again, the whole international community is very much concerned about the inability on the part of the Iraqi Government, as well as other members of the Multi National Force, to secure peace and security politically and socially. What is important at this time is that the United Nations and the whole international community should work together and use collective wisdom and efforts to help the Iraqi people and Government to ensure political and social stability there so that they can enjoy genuine freedom and peace.”

-- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, December 14, 2006

Iraqi children

“I was accosted by gunmen who gave me two hours to leave my home, together with my wife and three children. They told me not to take any of my belongings, not even my children’s clothes.” -- Raad, a shopkeeper in the Adhamia area of Baghdad

Since the fatal bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003, the UN has maintained only a minor presence in Iraq. Over the past four years sectarian violence coupled with the presence of the Multi-National Force led by the United States and sanctioned by the UN Security Council has increased insecurity in Iraq causing devastating violence and a mass displacement of Iraqis. The situation in Iraq is now considered a complex humanitarian emergency; thus, calls are being made for greater international attention and advocacy led by the UN on behalf of Iraqi civilians, especially refugees and displaced Iraqis.

QUNO is working in partnership with NGOs at the UN to ensure that immediate humanitarian assistance and protection is provided to the most vulnerable populations in Iraq, by:

• Encouraging Security Council member to address the humanitarian crisis directly in Council meetings.
• Providing information to Security Council members of the humanitarian situation on the ground in Iraq and in the neighboring countries that are sheltering refugees.