Millions of Iraqis go hungry: FAO

"While starvation has been averted, chronic malnutrition persists among several million vulnerable people," the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in a statement about a new report on Iraqi food supplies and nutrition.

"The situation of mothers and children in central and southern Iraq is of particular concern," Rome-based FAO said.

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The agency said the hardest hit included some 100,000 refugees and 200,000 displaced people.

The report published by FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN food aid agency, said nearly half of Iraq's 26.3 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian aid despite a better cereal harvest and the removal of sanctions.

This year's cereal production in Iraq is forecast at 4.12 million tonnes, 22 per cent more than in 2002.

"Production increased mainly due to favorable rains in the north, increased irrigation and timely distribution of seeds and tools in the main producing areas," FAO said.

War, sanctions and drought have seriously eroded living standards in Iraq.

About 60 per cent of the Iraqi population is unemployed and depends largely on public food rations.