IRAQ: Food distribution shortage remains a concern, survey says

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BAGHDAD, 22 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Food shortages have been reported in northern and western Iraq by local NGOs.

The town of Talafar, north east of the Mosul governorate and near the Syrian border in the western Anbar governorate, are worst affected following military operations there.

US forces are fighting insurgents in both areas.

“Many areas in Anbar governorate have been suffering from food shortages and especially those cities under military operations like al-Qaim and Haditha due to no access to the area. We have been working hard trying to cover their needs, but the requirements are very high,” Ferdous al-Abadi, a spokesperson for the Iraq Red Crescent Society (IRCS), said.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said in a July report that there had been ongoing significant shortages in the supply of commodities in the Public Distribution System (PDS) in many Iraqi governorates.

The PDS is a monthly ration of food which has been the main source of food for the Iraqis for 15 years.

Increases in food and market prices in many governorates were also of concern.

“Last year my salary was enough to support my family, but today the situation has worsened and prices have risen without control. The government should do something about this, because if it continues our families will suffer,” Ruaida Ahmed, a government employee and a mother of four, said in Baghdad.

WFP has been working intensively to cover needs countrywide, but insecurity has delayed or postponed work in towns that are under military operations.

Experts say prices have risen due to shortages.

In addition, a WFP Household Food Security Survey, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation and the Ministry of Health was carried out. The survey carried out in June and July was done to better determine the needs of the population.

All governorates in the country participated in the survey, except for Dahuk and Arbil in the Kurdish north; despite efforts from WFP and the Ministry of Planning’s efforts to persuade local officials.

This is the second time that these two provinces have not taken part as a similar survey was carried out in 2004.

“We do not have problems concerning this issue in our province and for this reason we have total control and do not need a survey to show our development,” Diruri Dirar, a senior official in the Arbil governorate, said. “The progress can be seen by the smile on the faces of our residents with food given to all people.”

The final results of the survey are expected to be published at the end of this year, as researchers continue to analyse data.

[ENDS]