UNICEF appeals for $37 million to save vulnerable Iraqi children

[proud2BlibKansan]

UNICEF Image
© UNICEF Iraq/2007/Arar
Children playing in a Baghdad camp for the displaced.

By Claire Hajaj

For many Iraqi young people, the story of their childhood is one of struggle and loss. This is one of a series of reports in which UNICEF examines what is being done to ensure at least a semblance of normalcy for children caught in the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

AMMAN, Jordan, 12 February 2008 – Iraq’s children saw little respite from violence and instability in 2007. But help may be on the way. A consolidated appeal for Iraq will be launched today to help humanitarian organizations respond to widespread suffering and deprivation.

As part of this funding appeal, UNICEF is asking for $37 million to support vulnerable Iraqi children and families in 2008.The funds will enable UNICEF to expand its vital assistance – including emergency health care, safe drinking water, sanitation, education and critical protective services – to many children in Iraq who are not being helped.

Facing a precarious existence

Childhood in Iraq is more precarious than ever. For example:

* A large number of children, estimated in the tens of thousands, have lost parents, siblings and other family members to violence
* At least one in five primary school-age children is unable to go to school
* Only 40 per cent of children have regular access to safe drinking water
* Some 600,000 children are among the 1.2 million Iraqis displaced over the past two years. Most families are still unable to return home.


UNICEF Image
© UNICEF Iraq/2007/Arar
An Iraqi child recovers from the deadly Sinjar bombings in August 2007.

more . . . http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/iraq_42810.html

[annm4peace]

1. I WANT Bush and Administration tried for WAR CRIMES

Do you hear me Congress !!!!! ????? !!!!!!

I WANT them tried for the killing of Afgan children www.rawa.org

and for the IRAQI children

And for the Children who died in New Orleans, and for the Children who
died during the CA and OR "Energy Crisis

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Me too

[Baby Snooks]

3. The Hypocrisy of UNICEF

Shocking to say that. But it's true. They have yet to condemn this administration for the deaths of probably a million children at this point in this "war" in Iraq that really began in 1991. Such hypocrisy.

Too many times UNICEF has embraced the Bushes. Being politically correct in this country. But being morally wrong in the process.

The United States could have, and should have, fully funded the propsed UNAIDS program in 2001. Instead it chose to put its own program in place. Pandering to the religious right including the Catholic Church.

Bibles offer spiritual comfort. They do not prevent AIDS. They do not treat AIDS. And in the end, with regard to AIDS, they do not comfort the grieving orphans. Nor do they comfort the grieving parents.

UNICEF wants to help the children in Iraq? They should have done so by opposing this administration instead of embracing it.

[tabatha]

4. Isn't it sad that so far Obama an Clinton have raised about

$200 million for this campaign and UNICEF is asking for less than a quarter of that to help Iraqi children.

[Arctic Dave]

5. WTF

Shouldn't we have fork over that money. After all, our idiot president caused their problems. At this point 37 million in the change in the sofa cushions.