Hell on Earth—Conflict in Iraq is Masking Epic Humanitarian Crisis

A recent report sheds light on how violence in Iraq is overshadowing an enormous humanitarian crisis. Almost one third of Iraqis desperately need immediate emergency help that they are not receiving.

According to the recent report:

• Four million Iraqis – 15% - do not have enough to eat.
• 70% are without adequate water supplies
• 28% of children are malnourished, compared to 19% before the 2003 invasion.
• 92% of Iraqi children suffer learning problems, mostly due to the climate of fear.
• More than two million people – mostly women and children - have been displaced inside Iraq.
• A further two million Iraqis have become refugees, mainly in Syria and Jordan.

The report was conducted and issued by the international agency Oxfam and the NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI).

Jeremy Hobbs, director of Oxfam International, explains: "The terrible violence in Iraq has masked the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Malnutrition amongst 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.

"Despite the terrible violence the Iraqi government, the UN and the international community could do more to meet people's needs. The Iraqi government must commit to helping Iraq's poorest citizens, including the internally displaced, by extending food parcel distribution and cash payments to the vulnerable. Western donors must work through Iraqi and international aid organizations and develop more flexible systems to ensure these organizations operate effectively and efficiently.

"The fighting and weak Iraqi institutions mean there are severe limits on what humanitarian work can be carried out. Nevertheless more can and should be done to help the Iraqi people."

While there is now an urgent need for greater humanitarian assistance, Oxfam and NCCI believe that the top priority for everyone involved should be ending the conflict in Iraq. The report also calls on the Iraqi government and multi-national forces to do more to ensure their troops keep their legal and moral obligation to not harm civilians and their property.

Oxfam had staff working inside Iraq but withdrew them due to chronic security problems. It now supports domestic and international aid agencies able to operate in Iraq. While violence often restricts aid workers from helping Iraqis in need, an Oxfam survey in April 2007 found that over 80% of aid agencies working in Iraq could do more humanitarian work if they had more funds.

Unfortunately, these humanitarian organizations cannot accept money from governments that have troops in Iraq, without jeopardizing their own safety. Therefore the report urged international donors that have not sent troops to Iraq to provide increased emergency funding for humanitarian action. The report also calls on influential governments and people everywhere to do whatever is within their means to help bring an end to the conflict and suffering in Iraq.

Posted by Rebecca Sato