We discussed the humanitarian situation in Iraq with the Executive Director of Unicef, Carol Bellamy. 
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Aid agencies have warned that the international community has some dramatic decisions to make if diplomacy fails and war starts in Iraq.
They say extra funding is needed to prepare for the consequences of a conflict.
Do you think the world is doing enough to prepare for the humanitarian consequences of a second Gulf war?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
Your comments
There is definitely going to be a humanitarian crisis. How can we prevent it? How about not causing a war and letting the UN disarm them of any illegal weapons? It may be a slow process, but it's effective. Also, how about removing sanctions from Iraqi people? The fact is, people die who have nothing to do with their leader's corruption.
Ajani, USA
The Danish Government defended their denial of asylum to Iraqis in parliament on Friday on the ground of the "peaceful situation" in Iraq, and they are facing being sent back! Denmark, a front member of the coalition of the willing, has a government with essential parliamentary support from the Danish People's Party, a nationalist ultra-right wing party. Facing a humanitarian crisis? Not the Danes!
Per Danbo, Denmark
That's like asking, "If I hit you, will it hurt?" Many American presidents forget to think of the consequences of their actions. The consequences Iraqi people face today are a result of sanctions and embargoes from a decade ago. It seems to me to be a popularity contest. And to think that there are people here in the US who are using duct tape and plastic sheets to seal the insides of their homes in fear of germ warfare. I seriously think that people have their priorities messed up!
Vidhya Munnamalai, NJ, USA
 Why is there this sudden urgent need to go to war?  |
Why is there this sudden urgent need to go to war? Why not five years ago or 10 years ago? Or even in 1988 when Saddam was using chemical arms against the Kurds? Well at that time the US was too busy giving its friend Saddam $500m to help buy US agricultural products. And when the massacre was over the US doubled its aid to $1 bn dollars. How can they have the nerve to pretend that they actually give a damn about the Iraqi people? Anyone who is minimally informed can see through their lies.
Muriel, Paris, France To Muriel: Clinton was president from '92-2000. There was never a thought to liberating Iraq because Clinton openly loathed the US military and stripped it of funds. The US now has a president with a backbone and moral leadership, more concerned with US interests than in appeasing and impressing those in Europe. One last thought: Why doesn't France disclose its own nuclear backing of Iraq as well as back door oil deals? Hypocrisy is unflattering in any language.
Lisa, USA
Rebuilding Iraq properly will go a long way to calming increasing anti-American sentiment |
Will the US prove the cynics wrong by sending thousands of aid workers to Iraq once the troops have done their job? Rebuilding Iraq properly will go a long way to calming the increasing anti-American sentiment across the world.
James Wilkinson, Nottingham, UK On television I watched a man from Iraq who escaped across the border and is living in poverty now but freely. He said Saddam had his two babies killed in hospital to show the world that "sanctions were killing the children of Iraq." This same man said that in Iraq the average person lives in fear and silence but is saying privately "Where are the Americans?" Yes they need help, but bombing civilians would make the US and Britain no different from the tyrant the Iraqi people fear now. How would this act of bombing make their lives less horrific?
I am a mother like so many in Iraq. If you kill my son or daughter I don't have any reason left to care about your promised "freedom."
Mary Anne O'Sullivan, Ellensburg, Washington, USA
We are talking about killing more millions of people because they are not within the "acceptable" Western frame of mind. These people are innocent civilians and will be butchered only because Mr Bush has the power to decide this, along with his own foreign minister, Mr Blair. The millions who will die in their own country only because they live there, have no say in the "argument" and "moral case" against their dictator. They will only lose their lives.
Dr Dan Waniek, Bucharest, Romania
A humanitarian crisis will undoubtedly occur. Every time Hussein cooperates with UN inspectors, the US and UK Governments find something else on him. Now they claim he has al-Qaeda ties, nothing more than a back-up excuse in case the UN vetoes a second resolution against him and his people.
Monica, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
If there is a crisis, we won't know about it over here |
We are facing a humanitarian crisis right now. Hussein's oppressive rule coupled with the sanctions has clearly created a crisis, and one that the US has more than a little responsibility for. We will face a greater one when the prayers of Bush/Blair come true and the war is on. Thankfully in the US, our media has a habit of overlooking any "crises" that we bear responsibility for. In the last Gulf war up to 200,000 Iraqis were killed, yet here the figure the media pundits give is around 4,000. So if there is a crisis, we won't know about it over here. Have a lovely day, and an even better war.
Matthew Cross, Detroit, Michigan, USA
There may be an unprecedented horror of civilian casualties and displaced persons. The war must not happen. Bush the bully should be stopped.
Dena Barbara, New York City, USA
The world isn't doing enough to help the Iraqi people because they still allow Saddam to be in power.
Sean, Cincinnati, USA
The poor people in Iraq have not only suffered from sanctions, they now have to face intensive bombing and the horrific fear of being injured or killed. The world has ignored the plight of these people for too long. Food and medicine should never be deprived to the people of any country, even if their leader is a tyrant. It is disappointing that no one is considering helping them, without bombing them first.
Roseanne S., NJ, USA
There is already a humanitarian crisis in Iraq, a legacy of the failure of the UN to deal with Saddam Hussein in the first Gulf War. We have had the hand wringers whinging on for years but actually doing nothing. We all know that in the end the taxpayers of the US and to a lesser extent the UK will pick up the bill whilst the rest of the world carps on about it.
Barry P, Havant England
"Humanitarian crisis already exists in Iraq" is not a justification but a very naive excuse for war. Are we saying that we will bomb and kill those people to end their misery? It doesn't make sense. There will be an uncountable number of dead Iraqis, millions of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, starvation, disease and complete chaos.
US rebuilding is really creating a new market for US and foreign companies of countries with full potential of natural resources? The main contractors will be US firms and they will outsource the actual operation to firms of other nations. We should be honest and thoughtful about our assumptions...
Ozgur Sever, Boston/US
We are not facing a humanitarian crisis in Iraq we are causing it! |
We are not facing a humanitarian crisis in Iraq we are causing it! War is the capital humanitarian crisis! Until the momentum for war has been stopped, we have not done enough! Soothing the conscience of the Danish, British and American public with humanitarian aid is spitting in the faces of the victims!
Per Danbo, Denmark The "we" in the question posed exposes a terrible blindness. Obviously it is not "we", the inhabitants of the aggressor countries who will face a humanitarian crisis in Iraq, but "they", the inhabitants of the bombed country. And the answer should be so obvious as not requiring even a question.
Elias Davidsson, Reykjavik, Iceland
As I read these comments, I amazed at how naive many of these people are. Folks, there is a humanitarian crisis right now in Iraq and it's existed long before 1991. If the US invades, it will be a blessing. Can I have the address of La La land where it seems most of you live? I know it's somewhere in Europe.
Mike Daly, Hackettown, NJ - USA
Some 500,000 including children could die and several million be displaced/injured if Iraq is attacked, particularly with bombing to 'soften up' Saddam's forces to reduce US/UK casualties. If this estimate, from the UN I believe, is true it would dwarf the worst excesses of Saddam's repression. To put things in perspective, as many as died in the World Trade Center massacre could die just in the first few minutes of the war.
Such a war, especially when Iraq is contained anyway, is not humanitarian, it is criminal. Both the US and UK can be a tremendous force for good, so for God's sake let's prove it to the world through an enlightened foreign policy and humanitarian system.
Dr Paul K Hatchwell, UK
Aid is not reaching those who need it most. |
The humanitarian crisis existed before the sanctions regime was put in place, and will only be exacerbated by a war. Is there really an alternative? So far I have seen no solution offered to the problem. Increased funding under the current regime will not solve the problems faced by the Iraqi people. Aid that is being supplied is not reaching those who need it most. Increased aid now will continue to be diverted and will not alleviate suffering. Extra funding is needed to prepare for the consequences of a conflict, because regardless of international sentiment, a war will happen.
Laura, Ottawa, Canada Africa is facing a new humanitarian crisis every day, yet the world does not seem overly concerned. Why suddenly Iraq? Don't we know what Saddam has been doing to Iraqi people all those years?
Mirek, Alexandria, USA
A huge humanitarian crisis could unfold in Iraq considering the US is currently failing to adequately support the interim government in Afghanistan. The same level of aid required on two fronts, would stretch the already under-funded resources of GNOs. Add to that Iraq is in humanitarian crisis from years of UN sanctions. The only way to avoid this is to avoid war. If the UN cannot agree upon how to carry out past and present resolutions regarding Iraq, how can we (the international community) prepare for the human needs of war ravaged nations?
Paul Fahrenkrug, Jasper, Indiana USA
Food-for-Oil worked everywhere in Iraq except those areas which remained under Saddam's control |
Food-for-Oil worked everywhere in Iraq except those areas which remained under Saddam's control. In those areas the oil money went to support the police state and WMD programs. Let's also remember that if the Arab League and the permanent European members of the Security Council (except the UK) hadn't complained so much at the end of the last Gulf War, the US army wouldn't have stopped, Saddam would be dead and the crisis wouldn't exist.
Bob, New York The UN has billions of dollars of Iraq's money from the sale of oil that is in US banks that is being used to prop the US economy. Only an insignificant amount is being made available for use in Iraq. Don't ask ordinary people to contribute to aid. Ask the US banks to release the money.
D. Smith, London, UK
Does anyone really believe that Iraq won't be better off occupied by the US military than it is now? Or do you assume we'll just bomb and go home? If memory serves we're the only country that EVER stays and rebuilds its enemies once we take over.
Gianni Galtieri, Rochester NY
The US must be held liable for all the humanitarian consequences if they attack Iraq when it is effectively contained. The US should be required to put into the UN fund a large sum of money before the it starts an invasion on Iraq as a security to guarantee at least some compensation for the Iraqi people.
Elaine Tsang, Hong Kong
I am very alarmed that Afghanistan is drifting back into the shadows |
Before we start talking about the humanitarian crisis that may happen in Iraq, we should focus all our attention on the plight of the poor people and the humanitarian crisis that is happening in Afghanistan and make sure we carry out the promises we have made to them. I am very alarmed that Afghanistan is drifting back into the shadows as the media attention wanes. Please, let's do this right. Surely then we will have more credibility when talking about other humanitarian crisis?
Aiden, Newcastle I live in the US and even I am disgraced by the total lack of support we, the American people, gave the Iraqis the last time we were there. I am not sure that this war is correct, but I know that if we do go to war, we have to stay in Iraq and help the people there. If we do not the country will fall into anarchy.
Philip Graves, Fort Worth, Texas, US
Lots of the views here suggest the humanitarian crisis has been caused by the US and UK. OK - so let's do nothing, lift the sanctions and let the current Iraqi regime sell its oil on the free market, buy weapons and continue to torture its citizens whilst it gases the Kurds in the north and prepares to launch chemical attacks on Israel and possibly Iran.
The UN has an opportunity to shape the Middle East in a positive way but the blinkered liberals just can't see it and they are giving Saddam just what he wants - time to prepare his chemical weapons, all of which are still unaccounted for and which he still denies having!
Andy, London, England
The people of Iraq will suffer more than they have ever before and all the world is concerned with is how they will pay for this war Sara Hasan, Michigan, USA |
As a survivor of the first Gulf war, I have had first hand experience of the atrocity that is war. Being lucky enough to have survived, I know that the world is not prepared for humanitarian aid relief. The people of Iraq will suffer more than they have ever before and all the world is concerned with is how they will pay for this inevitable war. Removing Saddam is a must but taking out the Iraqi people with him is not.
Sara Hasan, Michigan, USA The US Government should be given the entire bill. They are the ones that want a fight - so they can pay for clearing up the mess. No one I know in the UK wants this war and none of us are prepared to pay for Bush's ego trip.
Richard, Bristol England
There already is a humanitarian crisis in Iraq and has been for many years. What have we done about that?
Erin, Scotland/USA
The world is failing miserably to put the necessary political pressure on America to stop its escalation. The only humanitarian efforts needed right now is pressure to stop the offending party from creating the problem.
Alan Arnold, Dallas, USA
Occupying international forces could come under terrorist attacks |
Any humanitarian aid relief programme will be hampered within a country that is a highly urbanised society. The lack of follow-on since the fall of the Taleban in Afghanistan will probably be encountered in Iraq for similar reasons. What are the risks of anarchic score settling in defeat? Occupying international forces could come under terrorist attacks. Destabilising effects within the entire region with differing factions emerging. Fundamentally we know of the varied and complicated sectarian and many ethnic questions. For example, Shia in the south, Sunni in the centre and Kurdish in the north. These are issues that will impinge upon any humanitarian support. The great difficulty is the supply of daily essentials in a fair and transparent manner. Although the UN and other world bodies would probably like to try and do a lot more I fear that these elements may well be difficult to counter.
Mark Dowe, Kirkcudbright, Scotland
These are the same aid agencies who said that war would cause horrible humanitarian consequences for Afghanistan. Well, people have voted with their feet and returned to Afghanistan by the millions. That is not to say that there is not much to be done both in Afghanistan and in Iraq. But things go more smoothly if the government is working for the people instead of against them.
Brice, Stuttgart, Germany from US
If we attack Iraq it will divert all sorts of resources from Afghanistan |
There is and will continue to be a humanitarian crisis in Iraq even if there is a "regime change". Why? Because as soon as the "war" is over the US/UK alliance will be left holding the bill and you can bet your shirt that neither country's elected representatives, nor those who elected them, will want to poor into Iraq the $billions required. This is just the fertile breeding ground for organisations like al-Qaeda... You can understand why president Karzai of Afghanistan is worried - if we attack Iraq it will divert all sorts of resources from Afghanistan and his position will be under threat.
Nigel Pond, Brit living in the USA Evidence is mounting of horrible human atrocities from torturing Olympic athletes and the families of those whom oppose and have defected from Iraq, to using death row inmates as laboratory rats in Saddam's regimes quest for perfecting his weapons of mass destruction. As outlined in Colin Powell�s address to the UN, Amnesty International can confirm thousands of civilians disappearing from the streets of Baghdad.
When UK and US forces liberate Iraq, the effects of this abusive regime are certain to offend the sensitivities of the civilised world. To these people, a lack of war by no means constitutes peace. Godspeed to the troops of both the US and the UK in expediting the conclusion of this situation, for the sake of these people!
Jon W, Horn Lake, MS USA
The most effective and efficient aid agency are the US armed forces. If they do their job swiftly the main source of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq will disappear.
Merlin, Long Beach, CA USA
We should hang our heads in shame |
It's sad that we are thinking about the humanitarian consequences of the to-be-initiated US-UK Iraqi war, not to avoid the stupid war, but to plan for reconstruction of the lives of those innocent Iraqis after a deliberate planning to break their lives. If this is the moral face of Western democracy, we should hang our heads in shame.
Jag, Morgantown, USA I think we should do more to prepare for the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. We can afford the couple of billion dollars the war will cost but if we don't spend a few billion dollars rebuilding Iraq as well, we will regret it for a long time to come.
Inna Tysoe, Sacramento, CA, USA
There are a number of scenarios that could produce a devastating humanitarian crisis. If the Iraqis succeed in repelling the initial ground invasion into Baghdad and deal significant casualties to the invasion forces, the plan B strategy of the US is to level the city from the air. Post-invasion violence between factions would compound the humanitarian crisis by making things dangerous for aid workers.
Christopher, Minneapolis, USA
We have lost whatever moral authority we claimed to have |
No. We have watched hundred of thousands of Iraqi children died as the result of this disgusting sanction and we did nothing. We have lost whatever moral authority we claimed to have. In the name of God, stop it!
Mick Tomas, Michigan, US George Bush's budget proposal for the coming year contains no humanitarian or reconstruction aid for Afghanistan. We can expect the same for Iraq. It is shameful that America's idea of world leadership is to destroy whatever it doesn't like, then walk away.
Rich, San Jose, USA
We are being forced to rush into war without really thinking about the consequences. The aftermath could go on for years. Innocent people will pay the price. War is not the answer.
Barbara Mather, Manchester, England
The humanitarian aid must be proportional to the immense military build-up |
The humanitarian aid must be proportional to the immense military build-up, especially as more than half of the children of Iraq already are on the verge of disaster. Unless the build-up of humanitarian aid continues thousands of innocent children will die because of a US-led invasion of Iraq.
Dr. Peter Bergh MD, Oslo, Norway Of course there already is a humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Of course in great measure Saddam is to blame for that. Now, the US is planning to start a war that will have terrible consequences on Iraq for years. With which excuse? That you don't like Saddam, and that he may have mass destruction weapons. But who made Saddam? And what is the American government planning to use for that war? bombs that don't kill? toys? I do not want to live in a world ruled by the US. Here in Argentina we have suffered the consequences of that for years. And it looks quite different from our side.
Luis Fernandez, Rosario Argentina
The humanitarian disaster is the status quo. The looming war against Saddam will be a salvation for the sufferings of the Iraqi people. Whatever your politics may be on the merits on this war let there be no doubt that the daily life of the Iraqis will be immeasurably improved. Look to Afghanistan for the precedent.
Patrick, UK
To Patrick, UK: I am also looking to Afghanistan for precedent. Either I need glasses or you do.
Atilla Imamoglu, Turkey
As with all power struggles, it is the peaceful people who suffer |
As with all power struggles and conflict, it is the peaceful people who suffer. We all witnessed through television, the awful effects of bombing in Afghanistan, where an already impoverished people suffered terrible privations and were subjected to arrogant indifference. I really cannot see that the Iraq action will be an improvement.
D. Harvey, Wiltshire, UK Anti-war protesters don't want war and they don't like sanctions much either. So what do they want? Seems like status quo circa 1989 where Saddam is free to torture his citizens, gas the Kurds, and fire SCUD missiles at innocent nations.
Michael, Chicago, Il
To Michael, Chicago, Il: Which innocent nation has Saddam fired scud missiles at? Are you referring to the Iran-Iraq war? Didn't he have your country's blessing at the time?
Prashant , Toronto, Canada
The crisis is already there (5,000 children a month dying and many more). We are all guilty in this genocide and now the good guy will fight the evil guy by killing little children with cluster bombs.
Mary Flynn, Paris, France
No, I don't think anyone is seriously considering the humanitarian consequences of the possible war in Iraq. If I may say so, this is not even on the agenda. War brings death and disaster and the human cost cannot justify any military action to a country that is no immediate threat to anyone. This is exactly why two million people marched on the streets of London two weeks ago that they do not want their name on the bombs that are going to be dropped on Iraqi people.
Kamran Siddiqi, Leeds, UK
I agree there is already a humanitarian crisis in Iraq. The war, if it happens, may worsen this in the short-term, but should greatly improve it in the long term. My question is - why has this point been largely ignored in the media? I'm not blaming the media per se, but those who use it the most have, for their own reasons, avoided this issue and tried to mislead the world into rejecting any war.
Graham, Hong Kong
The US and UK targeted life-sustaining infrastructure in the first Iraq war. Over the last 12 years they blocked necessary parts for repairing that infrastructure. Many more deaths will be added to the millions of dead Iraqis because expansionist nations never place the same value on the people of their target country, that they do on their own.
S. Khan, Karachi, Pakistan
Activists fought for years to bring the plight of the Iraqi people under US sanctions to the attention of the American people and government. "Free the Iraqi people" has only become a chic slogan recently because of Bush's agenda with Saddam. When it becomes too expensive for American troops to remain in Iraq anymore, the slogan will vanish from US media broadcasts and hence the minds of most American people. Whether or not there is still a humanitarian crisis in Iraq.
Karen, USA
A pre-emptive attack on Iraq is totally unjustified from any humanitarian standpoint |
Long-serving UN personnel have resigned in disgust at the manipulation of the sanctions mainly by the US. Vaccines are delayed or banned and equipment to clean up the contamination of the depleted uranium used in US weapons has also been blocked. The Kurds are facing another crisis as the US has given Turkey a free hand in northern Iraq in return for more bases in Turkey. A pre-emptive attack on Iraq is totally unjustified from any humanitarian standpoint.
Mark, Ireland As usual, the West is damned if we do and damned if we don't. Saddam Hussein is a sentient human being with a great deal of power in Iraq and money enough to build himself 60 plus massive palaces and to ensure that his cronies live in the lap of luxury. The plight of the Iraqis is his fault and no-one else�s; until he goes, Iraq will remain a humanitarian disaster zone. So let's get rid of him and give ordinary Iraqis a chance to build a better world for their children and grandchildren.
Wayland, England
We are not doing enough to prepare for the consequences. What is more, we are not doing enough to address the causes. When the world recognizes misinformation and incitement of war as a war crime, then we will have begun to address the causes.
Steve Abbott, Kusterdingen, Germany
No-one is going to win an election by pouring aid into Iraq. |
We see from Afghanistan, Kosovo, Rwanda etc how much the world will care after the bombs have stopped falling and the camera crews leave. In the middle of a global recession no one is going to win an election by pouring aid into Iraq.
Simon O'Brien Every war leads to a massive humanitarian crisis. There is no doubt about that. If the US and UK believe that Saddam must be overthrown, then it is their duty to ensure that aid gets to the Iraqi people or we will have a next generation of Iraqi people hating the US and UK
Hayley, Johannesburg, South Africa
The Iraqi people have over 20 years to do something about their president. They've failed, and the price they've paid has been in misery. So it's been left up to others to do what must be done. Whatever humanitarian crisis comes next is a natural consequence of their inaction.
Damian Leach, UK
NO, I do not believe that the consequences, particularly the effects on rural people, have been taken into account. Within a couple of days the power will be bombed which will mean no access to safe drinking water/sanitation. If our government is honest in saying it is doing this "for the Iraqis" it seems odd that the budget for aid is so pathetic compared to the budget for WMD! I might even believe Tony if he put his (our) money where his mouth is. We're failing in Afghanistan so the chances of failing just become greater the further we stretch the budget. I would like the option to ask for the proportion of my taxes spent on the military (including research, development and the ECGD financing plans) to go towards humanitarian relief.
Julia Ruxton, London UK
Saddam Hussein is responsible for the humanitarian crisis |
Saddam Hussein is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. With him out of the way sanctions can be lifted and the Iraqi people will get a better standard of living. France and Germany then have an opportunity to show how to demonstrate their perceived humanity.
Brent Joyce, Brisbane, Australia It would be nice if US could give 5% of their military campaign budget to humanitarian aid. With those sums (5% = �6m) the UN could eradicate world starvation and supply cholera vaccine to all children in need.
Nils, Sweden
To, Nils, Sweden: The US give more money, food, medicines and volunteers to aid poor countries than all the European countries combined so, maybe you should read up on the topic before you comment.
Dave, Lexington, KY USA
If we had any humanitarian concern for the Iraqis, we would have lifted the sanctions long ago |
Of course not. We are about to inflict more suffering on a country already broken by tyranny, war, and sanctions. If we had any humanitarian concern for the Iraqis, we would have lifted the sanctions long ago. The sad thing is that many Iraqis are under the illusion that the US wants this war to help the Iraqi people. Sorry, it has more to do with US imperialism.
Nick, Merthyr, UK Exactly which humanitarian crisis are we talking about, the one that killed thousands of Iraqis in the past, or is it the one that is killing them now , or maybe the one that will kill thousands in the "smart war" that Bush and Blair are planning in the future? As a citizen of the "Third World" I am confused. Maybe someone from the "enlightened" countries who are planning to wage war on the barbaric country of Iraq could explain to me?
E. Campbell, Montego Bay, Jamaica
The quickest way to help Iraqis is to remove the sanctions on other than military goods. If people really are serious, this would be the logical choice.
Jussi Salmi, Turku, Finland
The Iraqi population are still trying to get over the last war, their babies being born with defects as a result of the weapons used. Surely there must be another way to prevent even more misery for these innocent people?
D Lawless, Manchester, UK
The poor Iraqi people are in a no win situation |
The poor Iraqi people are in a no win situation. Rule by an authoritarian regime and crippled by sanctions or killed by war and destabilisation of the region. If they had a choice then it is a pretty poor one. War may, at some time, be necessary but will certainly not be good for the Iraqi citizens.
Colin, UK expat in Munich The only way to solve the situation is to invade, rebuild, aid humanity and install democracy. There is no place in the world for mass murdering dictators.
Max, London, UK
The sheer fact that Saddam has and will use human shields to stop strategic bombing is disturbing. Any man who can do this to his fellow countrymen or any other human being for that matter needs to be removed from a position of being able to do so. Yes, people will die during any war, which is why it is an archaic way to settle things, but what else can be done? In this case, war is not about who is right, it's about who is left...
Doug, Scotland
Saddam killed thousands of Kurdish women and children. Where were the pathetic humanitarians then? The liberation of Kuwait and subsequent years have been a humanitarian disaster caused and prolonged by Saddam. The extra funding suggested by the relief agencies will certainly help but first we need a UN resolution to verify the need for a resolution. I am sure Germany, France and Russia will be in favour as long as others pay for it and they get credit for it.
Harlandale, Tampa, Florida
I dread to think what this proposed version of Iraqi "freedom" will be |
Bush says "Iraq could serve as an example of freedom for the Middle East". The hypocrisy of this man astounds me. Is this the same shining example of "freedom" we see in other American friends such as Saudi Arabia, with its repressive fundamentalist rule? or Turkey, with its appalling human rights record and treatment of it's Kurdish minority? Or, Israel, with it's history of ignoring UN resolutions, and repression of the Palestinian people in their own land? I dread to think what this proposed version of Iraqi "freedom" will be like.
Garard McDonald, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow Preparing for the humanitarian crisis should primarily involve an all out effort to avoid war and achieve change in Baghdad through peaceful means. We must stop the war mongers in Washington, London, Rome, and Madrid now before they create more suffering and death!
Anatole Besman, MD, Connecticut, USA
The innocent people who currently are desperate for aid, could face polluted water supply, lack of medical equipment and in too many cases death. America could redistribute the billions of dollars allocated to its military budget and resolve many of the humanitarian crisis experienced by the Middle East and Africa.
Rachel, UK
100,000-200,000 died in the last Gulf War, whose objectives were much more modest. At least that number of deaths can be expected again. Iraq's current infrastructure cannot support its people so any war would result in more deaths as a result of this than at present, at least in the short term. In addition we should consider the casualties of the many terrorist attacks that will be inspired by this war. Is Saddam threatening a greater catastrophe than all of this?
Dave Wearing, London, UK
No-one believes what president Bush says about restoring the country after invasion J. Kristjanson, Reykjavik, Iceland |
Of course the people of Iraq will face even more crises if the US, UK and Turkey attack. No-one believes what Bush says about aid and help in restoring the country after the invasion. As soon as the US troops have secured their military presence in Iraq and oilfields are handed over to American and British oil companies, all talk about aid will disappear. Other nations will be left to clean up the mess, so let's start real preparation.
J. Kristjanson, Reykjavik, Iceland There has been a humanitarian crisis for the last 12 years - over a million Iraqi children have died since the end of the Gulf war. There is also a humanitarian crisis in Palestine - who are even under greater oppression than anything that Saddam Hussein has done - the Iraqi people after all aren't willing to blow themselves as the Palestinians are. Surely, this is an indicator of how oppressed a people are?
Munir, Guildford, UK
As long as Saddam remains in power there will be a humanitarian crisis |
As long as Saddam remains in power there will be a humanitarian crisis. 500,000 children who died were starved by Saddam, not the US. He has also killed many more of his own people with methods other than starving them. War will result in deaths, but there will be many more in the long run, without regime change. I believe the Iraqi people, more than anyone else, wants this war.
Tim, USA Any president who has corporate links will never see the humanitarian aspect of a war. His/her lust for big bucks is cleverly disguised in the Western world. Bush, his father and grandfather have all had heavy business links with people much of the world has now come to despise. They profited from tyrants and despots of an older generation. America has a history of arming poor nations. In the face of worldwide poverty, death and destruction America continues to spend billions on defence each year, and on Israel. The American administration doesn't care much for humanity - it never has.
Ayodele Riki, Lagos, Nigeria
Bush has no right on even a single life in Iraq. The world is a much more educated and mature place today than the last century, so a peaceful, diplomatic and dialogue based solution can and should be worked out. The collateral damage that a war will unleash will have long-term global implications and could be very disastrous for the US itself. An infant in US is no better than an infant in Iraq and has an equal right to live. Peace can never be won by war.
AV, Sydney, Australia
The human cost of this war may be high but it is worth it
It will put pressure on other neighbouring countries to reform their political system |
It is better to get rid of that dictator so that the Iraqi exiles can go back to their beloved country and start rebuilding it. Also, this would create pressure on other neighbouring countries to reform their political system or else they will remain backward forever. Good luck to GW Bush and Tony Blair.
John Hacker, London Why is the US going to run the Iraqi administration if Saddam is toppled? Surely it would be better for everyone to have a UN appointed administration?
Ian, Banbury, England
It is always the civilians who suffer. First their water supply and their electricity supply is destroyed, then the roads and bridges and if there is still resistance, their houses. Half of this was already destroyed in the last war. Now the rest. I grew up with stories of my father telling me how his classmates were killed in World War II when the benevolent force that is now on the move again liberated them from their dictator.
I am proud that 10,000 of my fellow countrymen now serve in Afghanistan and many of them in former Yugoslavia to clear up the mess the last wars have caused and that our conscripts are not sent to fight in this war. War ought to be the last resort. the very last one. I doubt any single "moral" argument the present government puts forward.
Conny, Leeds, UK, ex-Germany
If the US spent as much money on trying to provide the world with clean water, food and medicines as it does on war then the causes of war would be almost entirely eradicated. Why don't we all ponder this fact: At the Earth Summit it was estimated that to provide the world with clean water it would cost $100 billion. A lot of money. But the US spends about $400 billion on defence.
Lizzie, Scotland
I was in Baghdad and saw the bombs falling |
No one can ever be prepared for the consequences of war. I was in Baghdad in 1991 and saw the bombs falling from every corner. We had to second guess where the next one would come from and try to hide in the other side. The fear that goes with it is indescribable. People who call for war have got NO clue. For them it is a computer game because they have not experienced the horror that goes with it. At least 400 people were burned to death when a so called 'smart' bomb hit the shelter where they were hiding. But they do not matter, they are 'collateral' damage, and most importantly, they are 'Iraqis' not Americans.
Sarah, UK Every war is a humanitarian disaster. To talk about "Could we face a humanitarian crisis?" is to shy away from the question "Why do you have to have the war?" in the first place. Saddam was armed by US and US should take the responsibility. The 'humane' gesture by US is nothing but a mockery.
Jerry, USA
It seems everyone agree that there is a humanitarian crisis in Iraq as we speak. The next question is WHY? There was no humanitarian crisis prior to 1991. Oil for food and medicine just never materialised. The aim of the sanctions was to topple Saddam. Instead we killed 500,000 children. Shame on us all.
Alex, London
Saddam is the humanitarian crisis.
Matthew, NY, USA
If the death of 500,000 children is not a crisis what is? |
For the last ten or so years, Iraqi people have been facing a great humanitarian crisis. If the death of 500,000 children is not a crisis what is?
John, Ottawa, Canada Regardless of whether a country is pro-war; if all countries that express concern for the Iraqi citizens' well-being act on their words, a humanitarian crisis will be minimal.
Stephen Beckwith, USA
Would there be a humanitarian crisis in Iraq if every working citizen of the UK and the US donated 10 dollars/pounds to the relief effort? Whether we agree on war or not, can we at least agree on that?
Mike, Washington, DC, USA
We are facing permanent crisis in many countries such as Liberia, Haiti, Bangladesh, Kenya, Senegal, North Korea, Pakistan, Venezuela and many others, not to mention Afghanistan in which things are worst today than they were before the country has been "freed".
S. Denault, Canada
If the Bush administration was truly concerned with the welfare of the Iraqis it would launch a ground offensive and minimize civilian casualties in Iraq. But of course pounding the helpless people of Iraq with "smart" bombs is so much more effective and will undoubtedly lead to fewer US casualties.
Michael Broeckhuyzen, Belgium
To Michael in Belgium - Do you want Americans to act as kamikazes during this war? Hussein will put civilians between us and him regardless of whether we are using bombs or pistols. As someone who knows people that may be stuck fighting this war, I'm glad our military values the lives of its soldiers - even if people who lived under its protection during the cold war no longer do.
Anthony, USA
War is war with all its disgusting dimensions M.H. Haghayegh, Tabriz, Iran |
As an Iranian I have participated in war with Iraqi invasion forces. We Iranians actually hate Saddam. But war is war with all its disgusting dimensions. Hope Saddam could be removed without a war.
M.H. Haghayegh, Tabriz, Iran It's a little late to ask this question after years of sanctions. Could war on this proposed scale lead to a humanitarian crisis? When has it not? Why do you think so many people are taking to the streets? Why is the whole world against it, apart from a few rogue states (US, Britain, Australia)
Cameron, Melbourne Australia
These are the same aid agencies who said that war would cause horrible humanitarian consequences for Afghanistan. Well, people have voted with their feet and returned to Afghanistan by the millions. That is not to say that there is not much to be done both in Afghanistan and in Iraq.
Brice, Stuttgart, Germany from US
NO. If the world were doing enough I would not be sending money to UNICEF and Medicins du Monde to vaccinate people in Iraq before they die of diphtheria, tetanus, polio and the other diseases not often encountered in Western Europe.
Suzanne Stockman, Paris France
Thanks to the "highly accurate missiles" and the "technologically advanced weapons" of the American military, the humanitarian issue in Iraq will be limited to "just a few thousand Iraqi lives lost".
Joe, Montreal, Canada
"Should we face the humanitarian crisis in Iraq?" is a better question.
Christian, NY, NY
Obviously there will be a humanitarian crisis in Iraq. But that will take second place to any US/UK casualties and any other problems going on in the world. Nothing like first setting a building on fire and then trying to score points by helping the displaced residents.
ARK, USA
The humanitarian crisis in Iraq already exists. Saddam Hussein has chosen to ignore the needs of his people and spend what profits he is allowed to make off of oil on his military and on building "palaces" (read: military installations), rather than feeding his own people. Ousting Hussein will be one step towards solving, not creating, the humanitarian crisis.
Jeremy, Edmonton, Canada
The question is do we go in sooner to clean up the human entanglement with bread and bandages or go in later and clean with shovels? I guess if you wanted to look at it with a laissez-faire attitude you could say they're down a half million; what's a few thousand more?
Steven, Alexandria, USA
If the world was truly concerned with the plight of the Iraqi people then support for removing the Iraqi dictator would be widespread. The fact that there is very little support speaks toward the hypocrisy of these bleeding hearts who express concern for the Iraqi people with one hand and ink the exclusive oil deals with the other.
RCB, USA
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