Girls look through a fence at a refugee camp in Mosul April 5, 2007. About 250 families moved from Tal Afar town to camps in Mosul since last weeks' violence attacks. REUTERS/Khaled al-Mousuly (IRAQ)
Later this week, representatives of 192 countries and nongovernmental organizations will gather in Geneva for The International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons inside Iraq and Neighboring Countries. Shining a light on the conditions of Iraqi refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, this meeting will attempt to raise emergency funds to provide the most basic care for these victims of our invasion and occupation of their country. And this week, we have information on how we can help as well.
Many of those most in need are children like the young girls seen above – they have no voice in the machinations of governments and militia. World Vision has interviewed four Iraqi refugee children in order to bring their voices to the conference – and you can listen to their stories here: Iraq Children Trapped.
Iraq Bleeds , the UNHCR magazine for the conference, describes the situation as follows:
The socio-economic and security indicators coming out of Iraq make stark reading. The average number killed each day was – at least up until February – believed to be around 100. Two out of five adults are traumatized. Fifty percent of the working population is unemployed. Many schools have closed because of insecurity. Thousands of doctors, teachers and other professionals have been murdered. Many of the rest have fled.
The problems facing Iraq's neighbours are daunting: during 2006, the quiet but constant stream of people leaving Iraq turned into a steady torrent, with tens of thousands per month crossing the borders into Syria and Jordan.
By early 2007, two million Iraqis on top of some four million long-term Palestinian refugees had made the Middle East easily the biggest refugee-hosting region in the world. Add in the nearly 2 million displaced people inside Iraq, and the problem becomes gigantic.
For this reason, the UN refugee agency and others began to speak out with increasing urgency during the latter part of 2006: Jordan, Syria and the other countries in the region need help and they need it fast. The Iraqi refugees are rapidly plunging deeper into poverty and despair. The pressures are building inexorably across the board.
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Thanks to the team at GorillasGuides for info on which organizations are doing good work and would use our support most effectively.
What have we wrought?
How can the warmongers sleep? It must end NOW.
The Hague.
(Pls pardon OT… EPU’d)
——————————
Feeling adventuresome? Interested in who else is in the FDL community, and where they are? Maybe get in touch with them via anonymous message?
Hope to see you on our unofficial FirePup map.
Imagine if we took the money we’re spending on this war and used it to help the Iraqi people. 100 billion would be a good start.
And the other question is, what is happening to our troops that makes some of them behave so badly?
This just in: Sen Spector on ABC news interviewed by George Stephanopolis on This Week saying that he, Leahy & the WH will work out a deal to get testimony with transcripts — but maybe not under oath.
Bob in HI
Loo Hoo … I was wondering about the money … we’re spending how much per day? and the needs for refugee assistance are so much less actually … but we’d rather give billions to Blackwater et al.
As much as financial help is required, it’s still a vile obscenity that the international community has to beg for assistance when the United States is directly responsible for this situation.
More than that, the first principle of triage is to stop the bleeding and stabilize. The U.S. is actively interfering with that process. I wonder–how many in Congress will be attending this meeting?
Hey All!
Here is an interesting article..
Plight of the Poor
Excellent post Siun. Thanks for the update and for the links to the organizations trying to make a difference.
Also a good post to Spotlight to editors.
Thanks Scarecrow … the entire refugee situation is barely mentioned yet so desperate…
Of course, it should be american funding that steps up but somehow I doubt we will.
Siun @ 12
I haven’t been following the candidates closely enough to know whether any of them even included something on this topic. Have you seen anything?
And I don’t recall anything in either House or Senate Supplemental Funding bill.
Siun, these posts are heartbreaking. I knew, but I didn’t know, if you get what I’m saying. So terrible.
Are you cross-posting anywhere? Maybe HuffPo? Maybe LTE? Putting a human face on this misadventure is sorely needed.
Thank you, Siun, your Sunday evening posts are our conscience. None are easy to read, as you write to make the devastation clear and real. But they are true and necessary. Thank you.
SusieQ, good job.
Siun, that photo is just so heartbreaking…
Scarecrow – I have yet to see a peep from anyone in either the congress or the prez campaigns.
My guess is that no one wants to face what we are actually doing … so much easier to debate theories.
Siun, this is what Chimpy’s legacy will be – a world turned stone cold and white hot at the same time. He’s making his mother proud.
When my 11 yr old niece enters adulthood, it will be a very different planet, and I can only hope it’s because we heard the call and said, “No more.”
And you, dear soul, are breaking my heart. Brava.
Bob Schacht @ 7
I believe and trust NOTHING that Spector, that duplicitous self-serving ass-covering worm, says. From the “Magic Bullet Theory” down to the present, to me he is nothing but a crawling bag of shite that exudes a fetid trail of lies, braggadiocio and ultimate capitulations.
And how ironic was it to see “Senator Spector” complaining of Executive Branch abuse of the very offending clauses that HE snuck into the Patriot Act II in the dead of night, recently? Did Stephanopolous call him on that? I bet not.
Take, for instance, the 1.5 billion spent on abstinence only (C&L). And what about all the faith based programs? Certainly we can come up with the money for these poor Iraqis if we put our heads together. Corporate welfare, anyone?
newtonusr … it is heartbreaking. That’s why we have to keep pressing for answers … and doing all we can to help.
The ways in which this war and occupation have been distanced from us – whether it’s hiding the caskets at Dover or refusing to count civilian casualties or acknowledge the refugess … we need to insist that the media and our representatives come clean.
S.O.S. from MA @ 19
That’s a quad! He’s responsible for the abuses, he bails and scrambles for the woodpile when it comes out, then he complains when ChimpCo uses that very authority, and finally offers to mediate an oath-less compromise. We should have seen this coming years ago.
Siun,
Your Sunday post here has become one of the most important efforts the fdl community makes. Over the past 40 years, I’ve usually donated to Lutheran World Relief because the agency has the lowest administrative costs of any major relief agency. I’ve never donated to a Catholic agency before, but feel their International Migration Commission is dealing with this refugee problem rationally.
Does anyone know how efficient the International Catholic Migration Commission is?
More Cheney blather on troop hatin’ Democrats
Bob Schacht @
7
FUCK THAT FUCKING SHIT.
Under oath or impeach.
WHEN THE FUCK will we take the fight to the street? ******************
They understand nothing else.
Mod Note: No Violence, Ever.
ET – so few organizations are really functioning in this area but Caritas’ work often provides very good info at Alertnet – they seem to be actively involved.
I’m donating to the Red Crescent via IRCR since they are on the ground and under so much pressure .
S.O.S. from MA @ 19
I believe and trust NOTHING that Spector, that duplicitous self-serving ass-covering worm, says. From the “Magic Bullet Theory” down to the present, to me he is nothing but a crawling bag of shite that exudes a fetid trail of lies, braggadiocio and ultimate capitulations.
And how ironic was it to see “Senator Spector” complaining of Executive Branch abuse of the very offending clauses that HE snuck into the Patriot Act II in the dead of night, recently? Did Stephanopolous call him on that? I bet not.
And he tells Gonzales exactly what will be asked of him…
No violence.
Siun, I want you to know how much I respect what you are doing to bring this to our attention. It can’t be easy to keep looking at the human cost of the occupation.
And a note about the photos you’ve chosen lately – they are very powerful in what they do not show, but so clearly imply. The picture of the blindfolded men was particulary gripping.
Everytime I think about Iraq, I invariably think about the West Bank and Gaza. Not only do the Palestinians not have a homeland, but the Iraqi people are losing their country. America’s image is becoming more ugly in the Middle East with each passing day. My country shames me. There’s going to be hell to pay.
Loo Hoo @ 6
Loo Hoo @ 6
Throughout history, American troops and the troops of other nations have often behaved inhumanely in war zones. Inhumane behavior is highly underreported. Many reporters have been killed. War is an ugly thing and should be avoided at all costs. Catholics and other similar groups could have helped get Gore and Kerry elected but they helped Bush. Now they are helping and that’s good, but all this bloodshed and hell on earth could have been avoided.
Fern – thanks. I daily check the yahoo images from Iraq (Iraq photos ) but often find certain ones seem to tell the whole story. I think it’s our responsibility to see and feel what our government is doing … not to hide or ignore so I appreciate the chance to do these posts and share them with our FDL family.
Well according to guidestar.org
Which seems extremely odd? Best to stick to an organization you know and have researched BEFORE you give money… Also I do not support worldvision as it does not have family planning programs as one of it’s priorities or sees it’s importance, nor does it accept or even refer women for abortions.
Hence, I would go with other agencies that fit my philosophy and believe help those in need.
Well according to guidestar.org
Which seems extremely odd? Best to stick to an organization you know and have researched BEFORE you give money?
Also, personally I do not support worldvision as it does not have family planning programs as one of its prioritiesm, or sees it as important, nor does it accept or even refer women for abortions.
Hence, I would go with other agencies that fit my philosophy and believe help those in need.
Each to their own.
Hackworth – the behavior of american troops has been horrific … see my post from Friday about the civilian deaths to get a small feel for how many civilians are just treated as disposable.
War is always dreadful – but the lack of discipline and the underlying racism of so much that is done in Iraq is something we will all have to answer for.
Checking In – Caritas is a global confederation of catholic organizations so would not show up in Guidestar, etc. With most aid agencies forced out of Iraq, I think we need to support those who are stepping up and taking care of people. As I said, I am partial to the Red Crescent (though I never support the US Red Cross) because they are on the frontlines every day and providing such essential care.
WorldVision is doing very good work with the children in refugee camps – if you know of other organizations doing similar work, please post their info for everyone.
What I find extremely vulgar about the war apologists is how they have dichotimized the US and Iraq. As long as there is not a “terrorist attack” in America it doesn’t matter to them how much blood flows in the streets of Iraq.
-GSD
Link to Mennonite Central Committee’s Iraq page:
http://mcc.org/iraqrelief/
Siun… All I’m saying as with ANY charity it’s always wise to check into those charities a) how they use their money b) their policies. You don’t support the Red Cross whereby many others do… Again = each to their own.
GSD – precisely
Fern – great link – thank you!
You bet CheckingIn … evaluating charities is important.
And the attacks on many humanitarian groups in Iraq – including the attacks and threats to Red Crescent by US forces – are particularly horrific since so many are suffering.
The normalizing of war horrors is also one of the ancillary effects of this war.
From the head chopping videos, to the Abu Ghraib rape and humiliation, the bombings of the UN and embassies, the numbingly frequent bombings of mosques and churches, mass abductions, body dumpings, chopper crashes, beatings, drillings, the botched executions of former leaders, the gruesome display of the dead from all sides…and on and on and on……Yet somehow the media isn’t focusing on new schools and hydro plants.
It has been going on for years and years now.
-GSD
I look at that little girl and it strikes me that 4 years of her young life…most of her memories…are of war and fear and uncertainty. What are we doing?
Siun, buddy girl! Your posts have been excellent. Thank you so much. Thinking of the ripple effect throughout the Middle East with regard to refugees. Syria and Jordan getting the bulk. Not only do we spit on Damascus, we send them waves of traumatized uprooted Iraqis — way to go America! Somehow I doubt very many Iraqi refugees make it to the gleaming domes of Dubai and Qatar, but I could be wrong.
After all, I’m here all cozy in my freedom.
Noticed that this is listed under “Uncategorized” — maybe it should be filed under “Occupation Iraq”?
Peace, my friend. All is read and appreciated.
troqua @ 42
At the very least, she and her generation will grow up trusting no one and living with the vague and unsettling feeling that it can happen again.
At the worst, she will want vengeance, in any way possible, for what has been done to her and her own.
How about here at home…….where are our rights:
The Voting Rights Act, Voter Disfranchisement and the Tail Wagging the Dog:
http://scoop.epluribusmedia.or…..203124/409
Nico! good to see you!
I haven’t seen any mentions of refugees in the glitzier realms of the ME – Egypt has a large number who are apparently doing somewhat ok …more professionals had the ability to get there and re-establish themselves. Jordan has something like 700,000 Iraqi refugees which is an astonishing number for a country of 5 million and they are staggering under the strain.
And of course, the US has only recently agreed to take 7,000!
Montag – a lot of the reports out there about the refugees point out that those children have seen and experienced horrific things. Watch the short interview at the “Children Trapped” link … these children deserve to be heard.
troqua @
43
Here’s a pic I did and posted as Junior was prepping to invade.
That megalomaniac prick.
Stay the Corpse.
Siun @ 35
So with this knowledge, what do people mean when they say “support the troops”? I don’t know why more people don’t suffer major cognitive dissonance between a kind of mythology about what it means for the military to “preserve our freedoms” and the reality of what these men and women are doing overseas.
montag @ 45
I read somewhere, perhaps here, that the average age of an Iraqi is 16-17.. Lots of those kids will remember and hate us for a very long time.
BobbyG @ 49
Did Bush really say he’s been to war?
Great pics.
to Siun up top: I’ll try again later. I can’t always bear to read this stuff, and I’ve reached my limit for today.
Bob Schacht @
7
Spector is Bush’s designated Good Cop. The guy we can trust, the ‘voice of moderation’.
A sort of Fascist in drag.
Leahy needs to rebut, with extreme prejudice, ASAP.
Eureka – the Iraqi population is mostly children …and they are not going to forget.
Loo Hoo @ 52
Yes, he actually said that. It was quoted in the Houston Chronicle (Google it). He was, of course, referring to his Manly Heroic Service as Commander in Chief, not his chickenshit Vietnam-era dereliction of duty days with TANG.
WH denies Bush was involved in Iglesias firing: McClatchy via TPM.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/…..083797.htm
God. Un the fuck speakable. Just all of it. This is why I can’t talk anymore.
Loo Hoo @ 52
George W. Bush on sacrifice:
“I’ve been to war. I’ve raised twins. If I had a choice, I’d rather go to war.” Houston Chronicle, January 2002
http://www.motherjones.com/new…..17_01.html
Grrrrr…….
Sharkbabe – good to see you!
Arrogant sod, the little pissant! As if he already didn’t infurate me enough to begin with.
troqua @ 43
We are slaughtering, torturing, and starving her parents and friends. We are turning her world into a smoldering pile of toxic rumble. We are terrorizing her in the middle of the night, as we storm into her home armed and masked. We are bringing her Democracy and Freedom and Pizza Hut. All we ask in return is that she thank us.
George W. Bush on sacrifice:
“I’ve been to war. I’ve raised twins. If I had a choice, I’d rather go to war.” Houston Chronicle, January 2002
Dirty, rotten, lying, scum-sucking, yellow-bellied imitation of a life form.
Suzanne @ 63
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
OT- BBC and AJ:
In a statement sent to news organisations on Sunday, a group calling itself The Brigades of Tawheed and Jihad said that it killed Alan Johnston, the BBC’s Gaza correspondent.
smapdi … that’s awful!
I hadn’t listened to AJ or the Beeb yet today but he did such good work and really provided a way for the people of Palestine to be heard.
TRex has Sunday Late Nite upstairs all
Im hoping that it isnt true, that the statement is just capitalizing on the recent coverage of Alan’s disappearance.
Between this, Wolfowitz starving Africans so his girlfriend can get the new pumps she wants sooo badly, and our fuhrer’s quote above has me in tears.
Suzanne @ 63
YOU.WILL.ADORE.ME!!!!
I would really like to know just exactly where all of that “charity” money the butcher brothers indicated they gave on their tax returns went. I bet none of it went to Iraq. More like some Christianist organization they have already funneled millions of our tax dollars to.
Excellent piece Siun. This and the earlier piece on What an Iraqi Life is worth. prayers go with you
Fern @ 38
I have great respect for the Mennonites and their work. They won’t waste your money.
thank you, suin.
I am almost sick of talking of the refugee problem as if there is no hope. But with the exception of the Siuns of the world, I doubt many of our fellow countrymen & women even know there is a problem. The quota on Iraq refugees has to be lifted and the U.S. has to take the lead and the responsibility that it was shamefully late in taking during/and after the Vietnam war. And we Americans need to forget our biases (& make sure everyone knows there will be consequences for hate-crimes), and open up our towns, our hearts and most importantly our social services, libraries, schools etc. etc. to the victims of this war that we failed to stop.
BTW. The Catholic church in this country has a lot of ability to cut through the red tape. I wish they would start doing that now.