Iraq Update

Visiting pediatric and maternity hospitals in Baghdad was a recent gruesome experience for Leila Dzaferovic, Appeals Officer for Action by Churches Together International (ACT). ACT is coordinating emergency relief work in Iraq on behalf of worldwide partners, including CWS Australia.

"Arriving at Baghdad airport it looked like a military base - Baghdad itself is very run-down and an extremely sad place, it is all very depressing following the years of sanctions. There were many visible results of the recent military action as well. Unemployment, severe poverty and inadequate hospital and medical facilities are the major problems", she said in a briefing in late June.

Australian people have responded quickly and generously to the Joint Emergency Appeal for Iraq initiated by Muslim Aid Australia and CWS, raising A$86,753 by the end of June.

The hospitals were extremely overcrowded and there was a desperate lack of staff and equipment. Malnutrition, respiratory diseases and diarrhoea continue to increase and the whole health sector needs urgent emergency relief.

The level of radioactivity is over one thousand times higher than previously and the first cases of radiation sickness have been identified.

ACT is responding to these needs with immediate relief and with longer term plans for ongoing support.

The World Food Program is again operating in most of the areas and ACT’s partner, the Middle East Council of Churches, was preparing a proposal for supplementary food aid - strong staff in Baghdad have a good geographical coverage in the country.

Security remained a problem - as long as people were hungry and unemployed and not receiving medical help security would continue to be a problem.

Leila’s hope for Iraq was that "soon it won’t need us - the international community should exit as soon as possible and allow the Iraqi people to establish a stable self-sufficient state - the Iraqi agenda must come first - the people there know what they need".

CWS will continue to forward funds for emergency relief work in Iraq - please send your gifts to CWS or to telephone 1800 025 101 or to our secure site www.nccca.org.au

Colleen Hodge

This kindergarten has been looted since the overthrow of the Saddam regime. Homeless people have taken up residence in the building and children play amongst the abandoned ammunition. The door cannot be locked. Photo: Peter Høvring (DCA/ACT International)