Report Suggests Humanitarian Situation in Iraq Worsening

Iraq is experiencing a great deal of turmoil these days. Despite the constant violence in that country for so many years, a press release announces today that a recent report shows that 1 in 3 Iraqis are in a desperate humanitarian situation as well. 1 in 3 Iraqis equals 8 million total Iraqis that are having trouble meeting their basic humanitarian needs for water, food, sanitation, and shelter.

The report issued is titled "Rising to the Humanitarian Challenge in Iraq." The report was issued by an international agency Oxfam and NCCI, a network of aid organizations working throughout Iraq. The report delivers some shocking statistics and illustrates the truly horrible situation many Iraqis are facing.

According to the report, 4 million Iraqis (15% of the population) regularly can not buy enough to eat. 70% of Iraqis do not have adequate water supplies. In 2003, the percentage of Iraqis without adequate water supplies was 50%. 28% of children are malnourished as compared to 19% in 2003. An alarming 92% of Iraqi children are said to suffer from learning problems according to the report. The report suggests that this is mostly due to the climate of fear in Iraq. More than 2 million people have been displaced inside Iraq, and an additional 2 million Iraqis have become refugees predominantly in Syria and Jordan.

In the press release, Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International said, "The terrible violence in Iraq has masked the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Malnutrition among children has dramatically increased and basic services, ruined by years of war and sanctions, cannot meet the needs of the Iraqi people. Millions of Iraqis have been forced to flee the violence, either to another part of Iraq or abroad. Many of those are living in dire poverty."

Hobbs further urges calls on the United Nations and the international community to do more to aid those in desperate need in Iraq. He acknowledges that the "fighting and weak" Iraqi institutions limit the types of humanitarian work can be done.

In the press release, Oxfam and NCCI argue that ending the conflict in Iraq should be the top priority. In the meantime, however, there are other things that must be done to reverse the trend of humanitarian impoverishment. They argue that the Iraqi government can extend its food parcel distribution program, increase emergency cash payments, and support local aid organizations.

There is urgent need in Iraq. Let's hope that something positive can happen there to bring relief to the innocent people who are now trying to merely survive.

Sources:

PR Newswire Press Release, http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?beat=BEAT_ALL&view=LATEST&resourceid=3524833