Sanctions against Iraq are immoral, delegation says
5/20/1998 News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646) 369-3759 · New York
NEW YORK (UMNS) - The economic sanctions imposed upon Iraq since 1990 are immoral and are taking a particular toll on children, according to a Church World Service (CWS) delegation that visited the country recently.
The delegation made a presentation during the May 18-19 executive committee meeting of the National Council of Churches. CWS, the organization's relief agency, has delivered nearly $3 million in humanitarian aid since 1991 to Iraq and other countries affected by the Persian Gulf crisis.
Used by the United Nations to pressure Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the sanctions instead have brought "enormous suffering" to an innocent population, the delegation reported. The group's visit occurred during Holy Week in April.
"These are the most prolonged and intense set of sanctions ever imposed on a nation," said David Weaver, CWS Middle East director.
Since the sanctions began, about 1.2 million to 1.5 million children under the age of 5 have died, mostly from malnutrition and lack of medicine for treatable infections. Before 1990, about 500 children under age 5 died each month. Since then, the death rate has risen to 6,500 a month.
Led by the Rev. Rodney Page, CWS executive director, the delegation saw the suffering firsthand. As he and leaders of other relief agencies entered a ward at Ibn Biladi Hospital, an infant girl died before their eyes.
"I have seen people living under all sorts of difficult conditions all over the world, but I have never seen death stare at me in the eyes of a little baby," Page said afterward.
The malnourished girl died of a chest infection that could have been cured if ordinary antibiotics had been available, he added. During the hospital visit, Page was surrounded by mothers who pressed prescriptions into his hands, pleading for medicine and milk for their children.
While Iraq can purchase food and medicine under an "oil for food" deal with the United Nations, the U.N. delivery of supplies has lagged, according to Weaver. Iraqis are beginning to receive almost enough rice, flour, sugar and cooking oil, but their diet remains deficient in animal protein, calcium and needed vitamins, he noted. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to infections.
In addition to medical supplies, CWS has provided about $250,000 worth of blankets and $75,000 worth of layettes for Iraq. Currently, each of Iraq's 28,000 hospital beds has a CWS blanket, according to Weaver.
CWS is raising money to help meet a goal of $2.2 million for humanitarian assistance set by Action by Churches Together (ACT). ACT is an international coalition that includes CWS and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The Middle East Council of Churches distributes the aid in Iraq.
Contributions may be sent to CWS at P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.
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