A blog intended to promote thoughtful discussion about the UN.
About Oil-For-Food Facts
Oilforfoodfacts.org is a resource to those who seek information on the UN Oil-for-Food Program (OFFP) and news about the on-going investigations into the program’s alleged mismanagement. The public discourse on this issue has been dominated by wide-ranging accusations and unsubstantiated claims, making it a challenge to separate fact from fiction. The fact is, OFFP accomplished its humanitarian goals of preventing widespread hunger, reducing child mortality, and giving Iraqis access to electricity and clean water.
We recognize that there were problems with OFFP and they deserve serious and thorough investigation by the UN’s Independent Inquiry Committee, headed by the esteemed Paul Volcker, as well as several congressional committees. But as these investigations progress and until they reach their conclusions, it is important to allow the investigators to do their work and not to rush to judgment.
Oilforfoodfacts.org, which is sponsored by the UN Foundation, will be a source of accurate and timely information about the important humanitarian contributions made by the OFFP. The site will provide factual information on the known problems with this program, and also correct the record about unproven or inaccurate charges. Finally, the site will explain the important differences between the problems with the OFFP and the illicit trading and oil smuggling that happened outside the purview of the UN and is often, and wrongly, blamed on the UN.
We need and welcome your help. Please visit often to get the latest facts and information. Let us know if you find false charges to which we should respond. And finally, let us hear your comments and suggestions for the site, and how we can make it more useful for you. Please send us an email.
Thank you.