APPENDIX 7
Letter to the International Development
Committee from the KCF and KSC
We the Kurdistan Children's Fund, and our sister
organisation Kurdistan Save the Children (KCF/KSC) are writing
to express our profound concern about the level of cooperation
received from DFID, especially at such a crucial time with the
threat of war and humanitarian disasters seeming inevitable.
The KCF/KSC as with many other NGO's working
in Iraq are extremely grateful to the important role DFID has
had since the end of the Gulf War. During the last 12 years DFID
has held good relations with many NGO's in Iraq especially Iraqi
Kurdistan, and we have always felt welcomed. DFID has assisted
us, from organising improtant events and courses, to even the
most tedious tasks.
However, this cohesion has seemed to have broken
down during the current crisis. The reasons for this sentiment
lie with DFID's reluctance in negotiating with the KCF/KSC, this
seems to be an issue with other NGO's based in Iraq such as 4Rs,
MAG, Emergency and KLA as well as the Kurdish Regional Authorities.
As you may agree, it is crucial, especially
at such a time to understand the needs of the people and humanitarian
organisations on the ground in Iraq. This is after DFID's claim
that their officials will be holding meetings with NGO's, when
addressed as to when such meetings will take place, the reply
was "they are to busy, and I have no idea about it".
Without vigorous dialogue during such a time how can a common
understanding be found? And hopefully this understanding may lead
to prevention of a major disaster.
DFID's change in attitude has also been experienced
in their treatment of emergency proposals put forward by us. While
DFID acknowledges in their memorandum to the International Development
Committee on the 12 February that £100 million per year can
be drawn up to provide additional assistance to their budget along
with an addition of £3.5 million to support UN contingency
planning, the reply we received from DFID to the emergency proposal
put forward was that "their money is all tied up until 2004-05"
which is simply unacceptable considering this is peoples lives
in question and emergency programmes must be in place.
We have contacted DFID a number of times yet
still wait for a reply, I do hope that these matters will be raised,
so that answers can be put to the questions, and that we can all
be prepared, even if faced with dire situations.
Shanaz Rashid
Secretary, Kurdistan Chidren's Fund
4 March 2003
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