Airline to help boost Iraq aid effort

Virgin Atlantic says that it will begin flying humanitarian aid into Iraq in an effort to increase the flow of aid into the country.

The first few flights will be carrying doctors, nurses, aid and supplies to the Iraqi population. After that Virgin says that it will begin routine flights to Baghdad to help boost the reconstruction effort.

The humanitarian crisis in Iraq is mounting and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that "severe and disturbing problems exist in many parts of Iraq".

The WHO reported: "The most urgent health issues are the lack of security for health staff, patients and supplies; shortage of clean water and electricity; shortage of money to meet the costs of running hospitals, as well as the expenses of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff; and shortages or impending shortages of particular medicines and other medical supplies."

And earlier today, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that it was "profoundly alarmed" by the chaos in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq.

An ICRC spokesman said: "To the fullest extent of the means available to them, the occupying forces have a duty to ensure that the population has sufficient supplies in terms of water, food and medical care."

The amount of aid being sent by the government is gathering momentum, and the Department for International Development has earmarked £210 million for humanitarian work in the current crisis. Of this, the department has committed £115 million to support work by humanitarian agencies in the current crisis and has £95 million set aside for further contributions. A further £60 million was set aside by the Chancellor for the department to claim from HM Treasury if and when needs arise.

In addition, the MoD has been allocated £30 million by the Treasury to help it carry out its humanitarian obligations under the Geneva Convention and the Hague Regulations.

(GMcG)