Publication

This report addresses the question of how to manage humanitarian relief operations during and after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The paper discusses different scenarios of humanitarian consequences of the war and reviews international planning efforts to counter the war’s humanitarian consequences. Furthermore, the paper critically assesses the existing relief capacities and the neighboring countries' preparedness. The paper argues that an UN-led humanitarian effort closely coordinated with the US, other governments, international NGOs and capable Iraqi groups is the optimal way to proceed.