UNICEF has provided support to Iraqi children since 1953. It opened a permanent operation in Baghdad in 1983 and has been present ever since. UNICEF works to ensure that Iraqi children are immunized, well-nourished, and have access to safe water and decent sanitation, as well as education.
In addition to its efforts to bolster children's health and nutrition ahead of a possible conflict, UNICEF has shipped thousands of tonnes of relief supplies to the region and is preparing itself to mount a rapid emergency response should that be needed.
Tom McDermott, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, says with almost one in four children in Iraq already suffering chronic malnutrition, any disruption to food or water supplies could be disastrous.
"We're taking up this feeding program now because we are very concerned that war would only make a bad situation worse. We want to be sure that we have available at local levels through feeding centers, and at household level, a good supply of food and in this case supplementary food especially designed for children."
In addition to its efforts to bolster children's health and nutrition ahead of a possible conflict, UNICEF has shipped thousands of tonnes of relief supplies to the region and is preparing itself to mount a rapid emergency response should that be needed.
Tom McDermott, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, says with almost one in four children in Iraq already suffering chronic malnutrition, any disruption to food or water supplies could be disastrous.
"We're taking up this feeding program now because we are very concerned that war would only make a bad situation worse. We want to be sure that we have available at local levels through feeding centers, and at household level, a good supply of food and in this case supplementary food especially designed for children."