One third of Iraqis in desperate need of emergency aid

According to a report released today by Oxfam International and NCCI, a network of aid organizations in Iraq, nearly a third of Iraqi citizens are in need of emergency assistance. Other staggering statistics include the fact that 15 percent of Iraqis cannot afford adequate food, 70 percent lack water supplies, 28 percent of children are malnourished, and 92 percent of children suffer from learning problems – often due to trauma.

“The terrible violence in Iraq has masked the ongoing humanitarian crisis…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,” said Oxfam International Director Jeremy Hobbs.

One of the best solutions to this crisis, the report suggested, is to provide as much support to the local institutions and non-governmental organizations in Iraq as possible. Many international aid groups have been forced to leave due to a lack of security, but the local groups remain, and are the best chance for assisting the populations most in need.

An Oxfam survey done in April 2007 found that more than 80 percent of Iraqi aid agencies felt they could help those in need and extend their humanitarian work if they had more funding. Unfortunately, many of these organizations will not accept money from governments with troops in Iraq for security purposes. Consequently, it is crucial that international donors that do not have troops in Iraq provide as much support as possible, the release suggests.

For the full article, click here.

For the full Oxfam International report, “Rising to the humanitarian challenge in Iraq,” click here.