One child dies every five minutes in Iraq because of the conflict

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=185668&version=1&template_id=46&parent_id=26

Published: Tuesday, 20 November, 2007, 03:14 AM Doha Time

By Cesar Chelala

NEW YORK: Looking at photographs of Iraqi children maimed by the war makes the conflict unforgettable. Reflecting on the causes that led to that war makes it unforgivable. Slowly but steadily new information is coming out on the effects of the war on children, and how it has affected not only their health but also their quality of life and prospects for the future.

The International Children’s Day is celebrated throughout the world today, but certainly not in Iraq, where children have become the most tragic victims of the conflict.

One child dies every five minutes because of the war, and many more are left with severe injuries. Of the estimated 4mn Iraqis who have been displaced in Iraq or left the country, 1.5mn are children. For the most part, they don’t have access to basic health care, education, shelter or water and sanitation. They carry on their shoulders the tragic consequences of an uncalled for war.

“Sick or injured children, who could otherwise be treated by simple means, are left to die in the hundreds because they don’t have access to basic medicines or other resources. Children who have lost hands, feet and limb are left without prostheses. Children with grave psychological distress are left untreated.” This is the assessment of 100 British and Iraqi doctors.

Never mind that according to UN Security Council Resolution 1483, both the US and Britain are recognised as Iraq’s occupation powers and as such are bound by The Hague and Geneva Conventions that demand that occupying powers are responsible not only for maintaining order but also for responding to the medical needs of the population. Tragedies like this don’t have parents.

Iraq Hospital Touted by Laura Bush Delayed
By RAWYA RAGEH, Associated Press Writer

Friday, July 28, 2006
(07-28) 17:32 PDT BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) --


Construction of a children's hospital supported by first lady Laura Bush has been put on hold after it fell behind schedule and went over budget, one of dozens of halted or delayed U.S. health projects, Iraqi health officials said Friday.


The high-tech, two-story children's hospital in Basra was intended to provide state-of-the-art care in Iraq's second-largest city. The first lady and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke highly of the project.


But U.S. officials dropped contractor Bechtel Corp. from the project after it missed deadlines and ran up big cost overruns, Dr. Chasib Latif Ali, executive director of the Health Ministry, told The Associated Press. Bechtel Corp. blamed the problem on Iraq's security crisis.


"Helping the children of Iraq continues to be important to Mrs. Bush," said Susan Whitson, spokeswoman for Laura Bush.

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