According to a UNICEF press release, UNICEF is the leading UN agency for non-food assistance to Iraq and its appeal will address immediate and emerging needs.

UNICEF said the assistance includes emergency immunization to prevent fatal childhood diseases; special feeding for malnourished children and pregnant women; supply of clean, safe water and provision of basic sanitation; medicines and medical supplies for health centers, protection for orphans and the return of children to school.

"There is a clear and growing humanitarian crisis in Iraq," said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director. "Over the next weeks the needs will grow. We make this appeal because we need to act now. We can't wait until it is too late."

UNICEF also pointed out that 12 years of sanctions and the third war in 20 years have left Iraqi children and women with little capacity to withstand the effects of a massive military conflict.

The UNICEF appeal is part of a broader humanitarian appeal being launched by the Untied Nations on Friday. The total UN appeal is for 2.1 billion US dollars to provide life-saving humanitarian support over the next six months.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2003)