21.   Several organizations cooperated in the relief efforts.

22.   Governments, international organizations and aid agencies referred to civil war as a major contributor to the food crisis and a major hindrance to relief efforts.

23.   A White House spokesman indicated that the US had also warned Iraq that any military interference in international relief effort for the Kurds would be met with force.

24.   An FAO statement said that a major and immediate relief effort is required to avert large-scale food shortages and human suffering in the coming months.

25.   They also recommended the designation of a high-level official, answerable only to the UN Secretary-General, to co-ordinate relief efforts for major disasters.

26.   The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees announced the suspension of its relief efforts in south-eastern Ethiopia after the killing of one of its workers.

27.   Another issue highlighted in the report was the alleged importation of toxic maize as part of a drought relief effort.

28.   A standing committee was set up to co-ordinate the international relief effort.

29.   This factor, together with the severe damage caused to the roads and power supplies, greatly hampered relief efforts.

30.   But sending out supplies is just part of the relief effort.