Commission continues its humanitarian work in Iraq

Contrary to reports that have appeared in some of the media, the European Commission is not withdrawing staff working on EU-funded humanitarian operations in Iraq, following the bombing of the UN's Baghdad headquarters.

ECHO, the Humanitarian Aid Office, has two permanent experts in Baghdad who will shortly be joined by a new Head of Office. An ECHO staff member, based in Amman, is also on mission in the Iraqi capital. They are continuing to work as normal.

ECHO has been providing substantial humanitarian assistance to victims of the crisis in Iraq for many years. Its current programme, worth €100 million, was launched as soon as hostilities broke out in March. More than two thirds of these funds have already been committed.

The support is provided impartially to people in need with the aim of alleviating human suffering. It includes major programmes in the health, water and demining sectors. Projects are implemented by operational partners - UN agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organisations.

The three Commission staff who left Baghdad shortly after the bomb attack are not based in Iraq. They were part of a needs assessment mission organised by the United Nations and the World Bank, which was interrupted due to the tragic events at the Canal Hotel.

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• Commissioner Patten's speech on Iraq at the EP (3/9/2003)
• Romano Prodi expresses outrage at attack on UN Office in Baghdad (19/8/2003)
• Statement by Commissioner Patten on the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello (19/8/2003)
• EU Presidency Statement - Terrorist attack against the UN Headquarters in Baghdad (19/8/2003)
• Iraq: message of condolence from Silvio Berlusconi to Kofi Annan (19/8/2003)
• EUHR Solana's statement following the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello in Baghdad (19/8/2003)