At the end of 2002, the US requested that the UN Security Council revises the list of goods that it must approve before Iraq can import them in the oil-for-food programme. Russia and Syria abstained, but 13 countries voted for the new list. The list includes some drugs that could be used to limit the effects of poisonous gas in case of war!!

Iraq having been invaded, there was unanimity at the UN Security Council on March 28, 2003, to support a resolution to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Iraq. Kofi Annan, the UN General Secretary, will manage personally a new oil-for-food programme that was approved for six months. Mr Kofi Annan will be able to spend billions of dollars of oil revenues on food and humanitarian help to Iraq where 60% of the population depend on this help. On the same day the British supply vessel, Sir Galahad, finally reached the harbour of Umm Qasr after the channel access had been cleared of mines. It is bringing thousand tons of food and water for the Iraqi population.