The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
Nutrition, Security and Public Health Items Nutrition Source: UNICEF, press release, "Iraq survey finds child health sliding", 14 May 2003, http://www.unicef.org/newsline/2003/03pr34iraq.htm * "acute malnutrition rates in children under five have nearly doubled since a previous survey in February 2002." * "The UNICEF rapid nutrition assessment was confined to Baghdad because of general insecurity throughout the country. Nevertheless, it shows that 7.7 per cent of children under age five are suffering from acute malnutrition, compared with last year’s figure of 4 per cent. Acute malnutrition signifies that a child is actually wasting away." * "UNICEF says that unsafe water from disrupted water services may be playing a significant role in the findings. Poor water quality is largely to blame for a rapid increase in cases of diarrhoea among children in recent weeks." * According to the survey, more than 1 in 10 children were in need of dehydration treatment. UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officer Dr. Wisam Al-Timini: "This suggests exactly what we know: Poor water and sanitation leads to diarrhoea, and then to dehydration and malnutrition. These children need treatment to stop their bodies from wasting because of an inability to retain vitamins and nutrients from ordinary foods… Nearly three quarters of the children surveyed in Baghdad in the assessment had at least one bout of diarrhoea over the previous month…If we compare these results with earlier findings, we note that children who have generally grown over the past few years because of improved nutrition have suddenly and dramatically wasted. This coincides with war and the breakdown of social services. It’s not conclusive, but it suggests that the shift of children into the acutely malnourished category is recent…Those severely malnourished who do not get treatment are at very high risk of dying." * UNICEF Representative in Iraq, Carel De Rooy: "We can assume that the situation is as bad if not much worse in other urban centres throughout Iraq…We knew going into the war that Iraqi children were poorly nourished. These findings make clear that not enough is being done to turn the situation around. Instead it has gotten worse." * Read the entire press release for further relevant details and factors (including the connection between them). Security Source: UN Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, "Iraq: Weekly Update 13 - 19 May 2003", 19 May 2003, http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vID/E8467C6B4E7C714F85256D2D005683F4?OpenDocument * "UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (HCI), Ramiro Lopes da Silva, held talks with Ambassador Paul Bremer on 14 May. Mr Lopes da Silva stressed to Ambassador Bremer the urgent need to establish law and order, the key obstacle to humanitarian operations." * "While the UN has been encouraged by the strongly stated commitment of Ambassador Bremer to improving security, the situation fails to improve. The burning of a Ministry of Trade warehouse in Baghdad, a shooting incident outside the WFP warehouse in Kirkuk, the removal of a large generator at a water plant, (a major logistical operation), two incidents involving antipersonnel mines on the road to Baghdad airport, continued gunfire, looting and criminality in several cities all highlight the pervasiveness of the current insecurity. Poor security is having a dire effect on Iraqis, anxious to get on with their lives after years of repression and war. Women are particularly at risk, and have been largely confined to their homes in larger cities. Armed gangs are running protection rackets in certain districts of Baghdad. First steps to re-establish the police force in Baghdad, Basrah and Kirkuk this week are an important positive development, but it will take time before they are fully functioning. Resourcing such forces, and their training, will be critical if they are to be effective." Public Health Source: UN Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, "Iraq: Weekly Update 13 - 19 May 2003", 19 May 2003, http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vID/E8467C6B4E7C714F85256D2D005683F4?OpenDocument * "Distribution systems have broken down, largely owing to lack of running costs at the Ministry of Health and prevalent insecurity." * There has been a "shortages of vaccines across the country, largely attributable to the breakdown in the cold chain in recent weeks". * "Public health programmes and disease control and surveillance have not yet been fully re-established." Nathaniel Hurd Consultant on United Nations Iraq policy Tel. (Mobile): 917-407-3389 Fax: 718-504-4224 E-mail: nathaniel_hurd@hotmail.com 777 United Nations Plaza Suite 7A New York, NY 10017 _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk