UN and Iraq sign aid accord
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New York (AP) - Iraq and the United Nations signed a humanitarian accord yesterday, opening the way for a massive relief programme for a country suffering under UN economic sanctions and facing the onset of winter. It allows up to 300 UN guards to be sent to help relief efforts in the Kurdish-controlled north and an unspecified number of relief workers throughout the country.
The dollars 200m ( pounds 123m) accord on food, medicine and other emergency assistance - about half the aid is to be sent to the north - should ease tensions between the UN and Iraq. Iraq had previously resisted the programme, saying its sovereignty was being violated by the presence of UN guards. Guards will not be permitted in the south, but the United Nations will be able to open offices as needed in southern Iraq, where the government crushed a Shia rebellion after the Gulf war.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments