Nearly Twice as Many Iraqi Children Going Hungry Since Saddam's Ouster, U.N. Expert Says

My apologies for no analysis or opinion on this, I have to go out, but I'll comment when I get back.

Nearly Twice as Many Iraqi Children Going Hungry Since Saddam's Ouster, U.N. Expert Says

GENEVA (AP) - Malnutrition among the youngest Iraqis has almost doubled since the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, a hunger specialist told the U.N. human rights body Wednesday in a summary of previously reported studies on health in Iraq.
By last fall, 7.7 percent of Iraqi children under 5 suffered acute malnutrition, compared to 4 percent after Saddam's ouster in April 2003, said Jean Ziegler, the U.N. Human Rights Commission's special expert on the right to food.

Malnutrition, which is exacerbated by a lack of clean water and adequate sanitation, is a major killer of children in poor countries. Children who survive are usually physically and mentally impaired for life, and are more vulnerable to disease.

The situation facing Iraqi youngsters is "a result of the war led by coalition forces," said Ziegler, an outspoken Swiss sociology professor and former lawmaker whose previous targets have included Swiss banks, China, Brazil and Israeli treatment of Palestinians.

Overall, more than a quarter of Iraqi children don't get enough to eat, Ziegler told the 53-nation commission, which is halfway through its annual six-week session.

The U.S. delegation and other coalition countries declined to respond to his presentation, which compiled the findings of studies conducted by other specialists.

Based on saddam's control of the country and the purchase of the entire UN. This is pure BS. No one dared protest or say their kids were not getting food under Saddam's "rule".

Well, this clinches it. We need to bring back Saddam Hussein. Those poor, hungry Iraqi people need their benevolent leader back.

Seriously, what was the US thinking, taking out the greatest man to ever rule a country? I've been reading about how great life under Saddam was and how horrible it is now that Saddam's been ousted, and it sounds like he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, not a trial!

(...Actually, I really wouldn't be suprised if he did win a Nobel Peace Prize...)

I apologize in advance for not being able to contribute more.

Worldwide, he said, more than 17,000 children under 5 die daily from hunger-related diseases.

While you cite the reasons that Saddam should receive a Nobel Peace Prize, children are dying of hunger all across the globe. Do you have anything to say about the kids? You march in this thread and have nothing to say about the starving children. Too bad we can't replace those children with a few members here at ATS. I'd actually, in a sick way, get enjoyment out of watching some of you starve to death.

The article does mention when lack of nutrition became a noticeable problem.

Iraq was generally regarded as having good nutrition rates in the 1970s and 1980s, but problems emerged when the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

I swear. You vermin make me sick. In your posts there's nothing that indicates you give a hoot about the children. Oh...but your concern for US image and Saddam's image really shoots through the roof. ::spits:: Thanks for your contribution to this thread. Thanks for your contribution to the world.

Originally posted by Bangin
I swear. You vermin make me sick. In your posts there's nothing that indicates you give a hoot about the children. Oh...but your concern for US image and Saddam's image really shoots through the roof. ::spits:: Thanks for your contribution to this thread. Thanks for your contribution to the world.

You know, I wrote a response to this. A rather lengthy one. As I reread it, though, something occured to me. I don't give a flying krump what you think of me. Enjoy wishing for my death, and enjoy your ignorance as to what is actually in my heart.

Originally posted by DrHoracid
Based on saddam's control of the country and the purchase of the entire UN. This is pure BS. No one dared protest or say their kids were not getting food under Saddam's "rule".

It says it was 4% after Saddam's ouster so it wasn't Saddam's henchmen doing the counting of the hungry. It almost doubled to 7.7% during the US led occupation.

I didn't come to make friends, junglejake. I expected a little more in regards to the starving children from a self-pronounced Jesus Freak. I guess that was my mistake. It sickens me that these threads always attract responses that have nothing to do with the real problem at hand. Don't let the political-garbage clutter your heartfelt emotions. Please feel free to comment about the kids while taking shots at Saddam.

So let me guess, all those who opposed the sanctions against Iraq and claimed that hundreds of thousands to a million children were dying [due to starvation and disease, etc.] because of it in Iraq, those conspiracy theories, claims, and assertions were a load of bunk, correct?

That is if what you are indicating is true, AceOfBase?





seekerof

[edit on 30-3-2005 by Seekerof]

Maybe if all the terrorists/insurgants stopped thier rampage, the coalition could deliver the food and supplies needed to feed them like they want to. Get the water flowing, the etectricity on, sewage clean, etc. They cant give these things to the Iraqi's while they are getting shot at/bombed and such. Again, the insurgents lack of understanding and shear evilness strikes again. Not only do they blow up thier own people, they starve thier kids too...

Thanks for that very informative thread Worldwatcher, some around here get a littler bit touchy about the realities of "Bush war on terror" and the "invasion of Iraq"

Yes a few months ago this problem with the children in Iraq was brought up in ATS, children were suffering of diarrhea and other illnesses, due to the poor quality of food and not access to medical doctors in certain areas.

I guess the situation is getting worst and looks to me that it have not been addressed at all.

And yes at least during Saddam "despicable" reign of "terror" at least children were getting some help after all.

I guess the well being of the people is measure by how happy they are with having Saddam gone and been able to vote.

I hope help gets to them fast.

People forgot that when you brake something you own it, and US own Iraq and so is also responsible for the well being of their population want it or not.

Originally posted by marg6043
Thanks for that very informative thread Worldwatcher, some around here get a littler bit touchy about the realities of "Bush war on terror" and the "invasion of Iraq"

Yes a few months ago this problem with the children in Iraq was brought up in ATS, children were suffering of diarrhea and other illnesses, due to the poor quality of food and not access to medical doctors in certain areas.

I guess the situation is getting worst and looks to me that it have not been addressed at all.

And yes at least during Saddam "despicable" reign of "terror" at least children were getting some help after all.

I guess the well being of the people is measure by how happy they are with having Saddam gone and been able to vote.

I hope help gets to them fast.

People forgot that when you brake something you own it, and US own Iraq and so is also responsible for the well being of their population want it or not.

Marg, the coalition wants nothing more to provide food and the basics of life to these people at this point. But that cannot be done while dodging bullets and bombs. Is it getting worse? Probably. But its very hard to help somebody with your hands tied. The general Iraqi populace needs to start cracking down on these isurgents. Its the only way at this point.

Nearly Twice as Many Iraqi Children Going Hungry Since Saddam's Ouster, U.N. Expert Says

Then again, 100% less are growing up in a dictatorial state where they have no rights and can be brutalized, raped, and or murdered by the system.

I see it this way if we have our share of children in the US that goes hungry at night in a land of pleanty, I guess the children of Iraq means nothing, after all they can starve now democraticaly and in feedom, right?

How about this. The mighty UN comes in and feeds the children. I know...pretty laughable seeing how they sold the last feeding program right down the river.

I know I'll get blasted for this but why not let the Iraqis worry about their own children. Stop blowing up the oil refineries, loading docks and port tranfer stations and let the world pay them for their oil which in turn can buy more food then any of them ever dreamed of. That would mean stepping up and quashing the militants themselves or at least help. And yes I did see where there was a small gun battle between the insurgents and the peoples of or near Fallujah. They have to do it every day...at least resist or not accept the insurgents.

Sure, thats what we are doing.
Starve them, then offer a Chicken sandwhich on a stick called Democracy.

I'm sure, as others stated, that pre-war stats are super accurate! Saddam was all about the free sharing of information, espcially when it came to things negative about HIS, not his peoples, but HIS, country.

I put the blame squarely on the insurgents, and Saddams ex-military jerks, who do not want democracy to exist. They continue to kill, US soldiers, Iraqi cops, anyone who gets in their way..
Just as Saddam could have prevented the inevitable, by leaving Kuwait, the first time. Then by NOT realizing his downfall was garanteed, the second time. Many thousands of deaths rest on his shoulders as well.

I have to laugh, some of you are simply ridiculous and almost hypocritical to perfection.

While the author of the report may want to place sole blame on the US, if you read carefully you will see that it is an honest attempt at stating the facts. The US and UN imposed the sanctions that started the starvation of the Iraqi people, then came up with this brilliant idea of Oil for Food then the US brought war, destroying infastructure that didn't even need destroying since Iraq had no fricking wmds anyways.

Look I understand and agree that Saddam Hussain was a bad man and a dictator, but it amazes me how so many people can totally dismiss and forget the real reason why we went into this war and suddenly all is well in the world and with our government because the Iraqis had an election and Saddam isn't in power anymore.

Selective reasoning is a bitch, the US and UN are to blame for the conditions that face the Iraqis, instead of saying Let them deal with, how about we keep our responsibility and fix what we broke before washing our hands of them.

did you not read this part of the article?

Ziegler also cited an October 2004 U.S. study that estimated as many as 100,000 more Iraqis - many of them women and children - had died since the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq than would normally have died, based on the death rate before the war.

"Most died as a result of the violence, but many others died as a result of the increasingly difficult living conditions, reflected in increasing child mortality levels," he said.

Of course the "insurgents" are to blame for the increased violence, but for god sakes, you want to tell me that after 2 years of occupation, we still haven't figured out how to get food to those who need it? I don't buy "our hands are tied" bull#, we the US help create this mess, we have to help fix it.

Originally posted by worldwatcher

Of course the "insurgents" are to blame for the increased violence, but for god sakes, you want to tell me that after 2 years of occupation, we still haven't figured out how to get food to those who need it? I don't buy "our hands are tied" bull#, we the US help create this mess, we have to help fix it.

Amen to that sister, I can not agree more with you.

If you brake it you own it, so US is responsible for the well being of the country it has invaded.

Until the time when the country can be self sufficient.

Originally posted by worldwatcher


Selective reasoning is a bitch, the US and UN are to blame for the conditions that face the Iraqis,

Incorrect. The iraqis are the cause of their own problems. Why the sanctions? Because hussein wouldn't cooperate with the UN. Why the deaths now? Because insurgents roam the countryside and kill people, especially soft targets like people handing out government food supplies and building irrigation ditches.

instead of saying Let them deal with, how about we keep our responsibility and fix what we broke before washing our hands of them.

The US is fighting the insurgency. Not much else it can do. The UN refuses to support the fight against the insurgency and refuses to go into the country as long as there are insurgents. The US could institute a draft to overpower the insurgency.

but for god sakes, you want to tell me that after 2 years of occupation, we still haven't figured out how to get food to those who need it?

It is no small task to feed a population. There are not enough US troops to do it themselves, let alone do it and fight the insurgency. And as long as the insurgents keep killing aid workers, there is not going to be anyone to deliver the food.

I don't buy "our hands are tied" bull#, we the US help create this mess, we have to help fix it.

What is your suggestion? I suggest a much more aggressive military campaign with lots more troops and forcing the UN and Nato to send massive amounts of troops and aid workers. No one seems to want to do that tho.

Hey what happen with dropping food from the air like they have done many times before?

I got the feeling that US is not financially able to fulfill a task like that without borrowing more money.

After all the children has done nothing wrong they never ask for a war or for insurgents killing them and their parents due to bad security after the invasion, they are the future of Iraq after all.

Nygdan, this just shows how ill planned Bush's war on Iraq and WMD's was in the first place. I have always felt that Rumsfeld #ed up by not having enough troops on the ground in the beginning of this fiasco.

If you're going to plan an invasion, I would think that you would take the time to figure out all the possibilites and prepare for them instead of doing it the way the US did. We are to blame for this nightmare in Iraq, bad planning, George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld and their rush to protect us from invisible wmds is what has caused all of this.

Sadly I have no solution, I had one 2 years ago before the invasion, but now it's too late. We have to stay there and stabilize the country, and imo, this will take many more deaths, and at least the next 10 years of US occupation and involvement before we can pull out. On a side note though, I don't think the US wants to or has any intention of fully pulling out of Iraq. Its a good location for us.