The news is not all bad. Senators will be aware that before the most recent war, 60% of the Iraqi people were absolutely dependent on government distributed food rations. There were great fears that food shortages and further malnutrition could result from the war. However, owing to the tremendous efforts and dedication of the World Food Programme, its partners, donors and especially the many thousands of Iraqis involved in the Oil for Food Programme, a humanitarian food crisis has been averted. However, on the ongoing food needs of the country, there are still some major challenges ahead, including the onset of winter, the absolutely precarious security situation and the large numbers still dependent on food aid assistance.