Aid groups praise Basra calm

BAGHDAD, April 2 (UPI) -- Humanitarian agencies welcomed the returning calm in Iraq as an opportunity to bring in much-needed emergency assistance.

Mercy Corps, a non-profit humanitarian group based in Oregon, said in a statement it distributed more than 200,000 gallons of water, first-aid supplies and blood to the region.

The group also worked in several other regions to distribute humanitarian supplies, including food and medical kits, but warned the situation remained fragile.

"People are just starting to leave their homes and walk about freely, and they haven't been able to access basics like food, water and fuel for days," said Paul Butler, the Iraq country director for Mercy Corps.

The top U.N. official for Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, noted his appreciation for the recent calm as well and expressed his hope the security situation in Basra would allow the Iraqi government, the United Nations and other agencies to bring emergency aid to the area, the U.N. mission in Iraq said in a statement.

De Mistura recognized the creation by the Iraqi government of a special emergency group tasked with handling the humanitarian situation in the wake of the recent violence, noting that "coordination with the international community is essential in order to support Iraqi-led efforts to reduce suffering among the civilian population."