Extract from an Open Letter to the Prime Minister from Australian Aid Agencies
Australia is preparing for a possible war against Iraq. As Australian non-government organisations responding globally to human need we believe there will be significant humanitarian consequences from any military action.
In peace or war, the Iraqi government bears prime responsibility for the welfare of its citizens. But that responsibility is shared. With Iraq's economy undermined by war and sanctions, up to 16 million people - more than two-thirds of the population - are dependent on a fragile food-rationing system set up by the international community. Authoritative reports indicate that 23% of children in Iraq are already chronically malnourished. Any military action targeting Iraq's ports and roads would cause serious disruption to the food-distribution system.
A number of reports by the UN and by aid agencies working on the ground in Iraq confirm that the water and sanitation systems are in a parlous and vulnerable state. Clean water supplies, as well as the sewage system, depend on electricity. If power lines and power stations are targeted, sewage will not be pumped away and clean water will not be available. Inevitably, disease will sweep through a population whose child-mortality rates have already more than doubled in the last decade. Over 70% of current child deaths in Iraq are caused by diarrhoeal and respiratory diseases.
Iraq's people are already enduring a humanitarian crisis. Their extreme vulnerability, particularly among children and women, should be given full weight in the current deliberations of the Australian Government in the coming days and weeks.
We urge you to commit the Australian Government to support and pursue all possible actions to bring about a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the situation in Iraq through the auspices of the United Nations, including efforts to support an improvement in the lives of civilians in Iraq.
Lynn Arnold, World Vision Australia
Jack de Groot, Caritas Australia
Caesar D'Mello, Christian World Service, the National Council of Churches in Australia
Gaye Hart, President, Australian Council for Overseas Aid
Andrew Hewett, Oxfam-Community Aid Abroad
Veronica Ross, CCF Australia
Heather Saville, Quaker Service Australia
Greg Thompson, AngliCORD
Information : Colleen Hodge - Education and Public Relations, Christian World Service - The National Council of Churches in Australia
Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48 - Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
