'Humanitarian disaster' looms in Iraq

BBC ^ | October 3, 2002 | Kathryn Westcott

[polemikos]

'Humanitarian disaster' looms in Iraq


After the Gulf War thousands of Iraqi Kurds fled to Iran

By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News Online

Aid workers are increasingly concerned about a humanitarian catastrophe if a new war is launched against Iraq.

A recent statement by a number of charities warns of mass civilian deaths and an exacerbation of an existing humanitarian crisis.

If prompt humanitarian assistance cannot be delivered in accordance with refugee status, the situation could become life threatening

Rob MacGillivray, Save the Children

"In the Gulf War, we are aware of the mistargeting of weapons installations due to aerial bombardment and the fact that civilian shelters were hit," George Gelber from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development told BBC News Online.

He added that the greatest fear is for the hundreds of thousands of people who are in a weakened and vulnerable state because of previous wars and the sanctions regime.

At present a large proportion of the population depends on food rations through the oil-for-food programme. This could be disrupted by aerial bombardment, aid workers warn.

Displacement

"Conflict in Northern Iraq's highly urbanised population would interrupt food supplies and cut electricity, water and sanitation, which could result in displacement on a very large scale and separating children from their families," said Rob MacGillivray, Save the Children UK's Regional Emergencies Adviser, after an assessment visit in August 2002.

"If prompt humanitarian assistance cannot be delivered in accordance with refugee status, the situation could become life-threatening. Access to remote mountainous areas is difficult, especially in winter. Fuel is already in short supply and private food stocks will run low in winter."

Some Iraqis are stockpiling food, but most are too poor to do so

Iraq already has some 700,000 displaced people.

Mr Gelber says the fear of civil strife between Iraq's various ethnic groups cannot be ruled out.

"The US wants a regime change, but there is no government waiting in the wings. Iraq is a divided society and this raises the possibility of the settling of scores and chaos between the constituent groups," he says.

In the Gulf war, thousands of people fled to Jordan, Turkey and Iran.

Afghanistan example

Paul Smith-Jones, humanitarian director of Oxfam warns against the repeat of a situation in which, "an enormous humanitarian operation had to be mounted to keep people alive".

One of the biggest concerns among aid workers is that, following a war, there would be insufficient priority and funds given to aid the reconstruction efforts.

Many in the NGO community are looking at the example of Afghanistan, where according to Save the Children, there is a $166m shortfall in funding to meet Afghanistan's reconstruction priorities by 2003.

It adds that even countries that have pledged money to aid the effort in Afghanistan have failed to deliver. Britain, for example pledged $285 but has only disbursed $85m.

[polemikos]

Same old song.

[patriciaruth]

How many children did they say back in 2001 were supposed to starve to death in Afghanistan if we went to war there?

Countries that go to war with us end up way better off.

[dennisw]

Didn't these "aid workers" say the same about Afghanistan? And do you have to be a commie or a leftist to be an aid worker? Or are only the leftist aid workers the ones with the big mouths?

I respect them working and trying to help out in various God forsaken lands, but they do get carried away with themselves and their missions. There's a time for peace and a time for war.

[polemikos]

I'm pretty sure this is just an Afghanistan story that the writer used "search & replace" on. ;-)

[polemikos]

Maybe they've got the government trough thing figured out. Just start complaining loudly, the media rush in, and then big checks start appearing. Magic.

[dennisw]

Many in the NGO community are looking at the example of Afghanistan, where according to Save the Children, there is a $166m shortfall in funding to meet Afghanistan's reconstruction priorities by 2003.

Precious phraseology such as "the NGO community" are a tip off as to the writer's sympathies.

[inkling]

Did the BBC also warn that Allied attacks on Nazi Germany might make the winter tougher on those stuck in concentration camps? Cry me a (bleep)-in' river, Saddam.

[BulletBrasDotNet]

Time for a balance of "tough love." Some live, some survive, some die. That's the reality in that part of the world. It is a pathetic situation. Hussein seems to have a better handle on this. We can make the decision very easily at 30,000 feet. The UN is an absent non-accountability body. Where is NATO? Personally, I'd wipe Iraq, this would be telling to the rest of the Muslim world not to screw with the United States. Cheers.

[Stallone]

There is no whore like a Socialist whore.

Down girl, and get busy.

[polemikos]

$166m shortfall in funding to meet Afghanistan's reconstruction priorities

Somehow I doubt the Taliban ever allocated this amount to construction during their entire reign. Further, just how many mud bricks can you buy with $166m? Not to be impolite, but we didn't spend a lot of time busting up their infrastructure. We did pound the crap out of some trenches and caves though, eh?

[grania]

Where is NATO?

(Wishful thinking) Back to where it belongs, defending member nations against attack.

[Joe Boucher]

The Iraqi people could alleviate their suffering by just putting a bullet in the heads of Sadman and his family. They have the choice. And don't give me bull about not having the means. The Iraqi military does. They just must not care that their soldiers are going to get butchered again.

[DB]

They cry wolf over and over again and expect to be taken seriously.

For what reason I have no idea...

[Sinner6]

Countries that go to war with us end up way better off.

Germany and Japan being two examples.

[tet68]

What the writer doesn't mention is that there wouldn't be any "reconstruction" if it weren't for the "war".

This is just more socialist bleating to prevent what needs to be done.

[dennisw]

As they do the clean up work after brutal Islamic regimes, these so called aid workers don't have a clue. They resent us more than the Islamic madmen who make the mess and the human suffering in the first place.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Saddam is a billionaire. He poisoned his own people with chem. weapons. He killed his own son-in-law. He staged fake funerals of babies for the gullible press. It's time to hold the press accountable for the irresponsible lies they spread. BBC, the biggest news-provider in the world.

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