They are not intended as an explicit statement of policy but a set of assessments and questions. They are offered as a stimulus to further reflection, clarification, discussion, and advocacy. The people of Iraq are in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Damages of war, misguided government policies, and deprivations imposed by the current sanctions regime have led to a virtual collapse of the industrial, agricultural, health, and educational systems in Iraq, leaving most civilians caught in a downward spiral of poverty and desperation. Many lack adequate food and clean water.
Diseases run rampant for lack of basic medicines.
Child mortality rates are shocking. The personnel of our churches and counterpart agencies have witnessed the scale of this suffering firsthand. In light of this crisis, we regard the status quo as indefensible both morally and practically. Operating under United Nations' supervision the program has been a commendable effort to provide food, medicine, and related supplies to Iraq's people. It was never intended to meet the overall needs of Iraq's people.