Progress in Iraqi freedom stained by growing hardship (child death rising)

[Barrett808]

Progress in Iraqi freedom stained by growing hardship
By David Cortright
from the June 07, 2005 edition

NOTRE DAME, IND. – The Bush administration continues to insist that progress is being made in Iraq, but the last two years have brought deepening misery for Iraqis. That is the inescapable conclusion of a report released in May by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Iraqi Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation.

The "Living Conditions in Iraq" study is based on a 2004 survey of more than 21,000 households. It shows the Iraqi people are suffering widespread death and war-related injury, high rates of infant and child mortality, chronic malnutrition and illness among children, low rates of life expectancy, and significant setbacks for women.

The Iraqi people were already suffering serious hardships when the war began - the result of Saddam Hussein's policies and 13 years of UN sanctions. Since the US invasion, the report notes an "alarming deterioration" in living conditions.

The innocent and vulnerable populations of Iraq are suffering the most. Malnutrition among small children is widespread. Nearly one quarter of Iraqi children suffer chronic malnutrition, and 8 percent suffer acute malnutrition.

(more)

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0607/p09s01-coop.html

[ckramer]

1. That further proves that

--> Democracy is not food.

And that's why there are 40 million hungry people alone in THIS country. What has democracy even done to them?

Don't tell me they need more college education, 'kay?

[opusprime]

2. This is the Culture of Life...

enough to make you sick.

[libodem]

3. When war was emanate with Iraq

I tried to make myself feel better about it by having the sanctions lifted from the people. I had believed for years the sanctions were cruel bitter reprisal against Saddam by punishing the people by withholding food and medicine. I for see many jobs needing to be created in Iraq for medical care. International help is the only way to get to the people. And it is so unsafe. I was sure duped thinking our going in would lift the sanctions and the lives of the people would get better. I would still like to know what the civilian death count, was from 'Shock and Awe', alone.