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Responding to the UN emergency appeal for immediate humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, India on Friday announced assistance of 20 million US dollars, including 50,000 tons of wheat to the World Food Program (WFP).
"The modalities are being worked out with the UN and its agencies," an External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters.
Asked how this assistance would be made available in view of the ongoing military action in Iraq, he said while the wheat would go to the WFP to be passed to the people of Iraq, other modalities would be firmed up by the Indian mission in New York with the UN and different agencies.
He said India has been committed to extend humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and added that several countries have responded to the appeal by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
On reports that a ship carrying wheat sent by India had been turned back, he said the ship had docked before the hostilities broke out and part of the cargo had been unloaded when the port authorities asked it to leave.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2003)
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