Oxfam Suspends All Direct Operations in Iraq
19 April 2004
Oxfam has taken the decision to cease direct operations in Iraq for the foreseeable future. Oxfam withdrew international staff from Iraq in August 2003, after the bombing of the UN headquarters. Since then we have maintained a core team of national staff, mostly based in Nassiriyah, working to meet the water and sanitation needs of the local population.
Our base in Nassiriyah has been closed since the recent deterioration in the security situation two weeks ago and is not likely to be able to return to operational status. We have therefore taken this decision to cease operations.
We regret the fact we have to take this action at this stage. However, the deteriorating security situation, demonstrated by the abduction of humanitarian assistance personnel, has made it increasingly dangerous for aid agencies to work in Iraq.
Without adequate security, humanitarian agencies cannot ensure that assistance can be provided to people made vulnerable by the ongoing crisis in Iraq.
Oxfam reiterates the call we have been making consistently to all parties since before the conflict began to safeguard and protect the lives and well being of civilians in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and International humanitarian law.
We also call on them to facilitate and respect the independence of Humanitarian Assistance Organizations and grant them speedy access to wherever people in need are.
Regional Director for the Middle East Adam Leach said: "We will continue to support other non-governmental aid agencies—both local and international—still operating in different parts of Iraq and we will closely monitor the situation from our base in Amman."
