Public health crisis for Iraqis is dire, new U.N. report says

[Horse with no Name]

George W. Bush has created a monster.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/041807dnintrefugees.348dc95.html

>>>snip
There are the obvious risks of car bombs and other violence that now kill an average of 100 people a day, according to the report from the WHO's Health Action in Crises group. But beyond that, there are a host of other problems created by years of conflict: 70 percent of Iraqis lack regular access to clean water, and 80 percent lack toilets that do not contaminate water sources, according to the report.

As a result of these public-health failings, diarrhea and respiratory infections now account for two-thirds of the deaths of children younger than 5, the report said. Twenty-one percent of Iraqi children are now chronically malnourished, according to a 2006 national survey conducted by UNICEF, which puts them at risk for both stunted growth and mental development.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined in the call for a global solution, saying other countries need to alleviate a mounting humanitarian crisis in the Middle East by offering a home to some of the Iraqis seeking to escape the country's sectarian violence.

"All of us must recognize that this situation is a global responsibility with international repercussions," Mr. Ban said by video to a gathering of more than 450 officials from 60 countries trying to address the plight of Iraqis who have fled to Jordan, Syria and other countries in the region.

[babylonsister]

1. Iraq is going to hell in a handbasket, thanks to us.

I'm ashamed to be associated with this travesty.:cry:

[Horse with no Name]

3. Me too sister.

I just read your piece on education.
We have gutted their healthcare and education to attempt to build their military.
That is foolish.

[Quetzalro]

2. It cannot be allowed to continue.

[Horse with no Name]

4. I don't know how to stop it

but I cannot understand every country standing by watching us decimate Iraq.