Economists see aid to poor nations as ineffective

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Third of Iraqis 'need urgent aid'

Nearly a third of the population of Iraq is in need of immediate emergency aid, according to a new report from Oxfam and a coalition of Iraqi NGOs.

The report said the Iraqi government was failing to provide basic essentials such as water, sanitation, food, and shelter to up to eight million people.

It warned the continuing violence was masking a humanitarian crisis that had grown worse since the invasion in 2003.

It also found that four million Iraqis had been uprooted by the violence.

More than two million people have been displaced inside the country, while a further two million have fled to neighbouring countries, according to the report.

On Thursday, an international conference in Jordan pledged to help the refugees with their difficulties.

'Dire poverty'

The BBC's Nicholas Witchell in Baghdad says the report by the UK-based charity and the NGO Co-ordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI) makes alarming reading.

The survey recognises that armed conflict is the greatest problem facing Iraqis, but finds a population "increasingly threatened by disease and malnutrition".

It suggests that 70% of Iraq's 26.5m population are without adequate water supplies, compared to 50% percent prior to the invasion. Only 20% have access to effective sanitation.

Nearly 30% of children are malnourished, a sharp increase on the situation four years ago. Some 15% of Iraqis regularly cannot afford to eat.

[mawilson 2,133]

Third of Iraqis 'need urgent aid'

Iraqis don't need jack #######, as far as my tax dollars are concerned.

The country has so much wealth - with the world's second largest oil reserves at their disposal -

they can buy everything they need.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Third of Iraqis 'need urgent aid'

Iraqis don't need jack #######, as far as my tax dollars are concerned.

The country has so much wealth - with the world's second largest oil reserves at their disposal -

they can buy everything they need.

It would seem its not as simple as that. Infastructure destroyed by war, government corruption. The public always get the shaft.

Besides they're talking about humanitarian (as opposed to economic) aid which is intended for more urgent needs.