PESHAWAR, April 21: International Federation Terre des Hommes, a Swiss NGO has expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Iraq and called upon the UN Security Council to remind the occupation forces of their obligation under the Forth Geneva Convention.

In a press statement issued here on Monday the federation president for Pakistan and Afghanistan Dr Rainer Droste said that despite military success, the lack of effective security measures by the coalition forces had left a situation of chaos and disorder in Iraq, resulting in the systematic looting of hospitals, health centres and public institutions.

He said that the effect of this breakdown of civil order prevented the delivery of aid to the needy, particularly children. He asked the Security Council to remind the coalition forces that effective control of the territory was a legal obligation under the Geneva Convention.

“According to humanitarian law, occupation forces shall maintain order, ensure protection of civilians and provide secure and independent access for the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid,” Dr Droste said.

The federation had engaged its workers to deliver essential drugs to the children in Baghdad in response to the emergency situation in the country, he added.