The United Nations "oil-for-food" program for Iraq continues to have a positive impact, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on November 16.

His latest report, which covers the six-month period through October 31, to the Security Council provides information on the distribution of humanitarian supplies throughout Iraq, including the implementation of the UN Inter-Agency Humanitarian Program in the three northern governorates of Dahuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Over the past three years, 12 million tons of food have arrived and continue to be distributed efficiently through the Iraqi government's rationing system, according to the report.

Health sector supplies worth over 729 million US dollars have reached Iraq although their adequacy varies according to the type of drugs and supplies in question.

The secretary-general notes that he would like to see the government pay greater attention to providing basic medicines and developing primary and preventive health care services.

Among his conclusions, the secretary-general stresses that in order to maintain or increase the momentum of the program, improvement in contracting, processing application, delivery and distribution of supplies were "essential."