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Name
Abu Al-Fadl Kamal
- France
Profession
Question
As-Salamu`alykum, Dr. Ramadhani,
I would like to ask about the type of action Human Relief Organization and other relief organizations did during the war? How did you use to work?
Answer
Wa`alaykum as-salamu warahmatullah.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Not many Organizations were working in Iraq prior to the war. The Iraqi Government made many restrictions on NGOs as they were worried about the implications of outside help. HRF (Human Relief Foundation) have been working in Iraq since the imposition of sanctions. We have had an office established in Baghdad since 1998 and this made it easier to implement projects in response to the current crisis.
We prepared an emergency plan to supply the people with tents, water, basic food items and cooking utensils. We were aware that it would be difficult for people to leave Iraq, but we expected refugees to take shelter outside cities. We stocked food in community centers and Masjids (mosques) to provide easy access to the people.
It was extremely difficult to move around during the bombing especially in Baghdad.
As a result, as soon as the war ended, we supplied medication and equipment to hospitals dealing with problems such as burns. We continue to pay wages to nurses and doctors in order that hospitals may continue to operate. We have distributed food items through our network in various areas and we have made significant contributions to the refurbishment of Universities and schools.
We have co-operated with other NGOs in providing the best care for the people of Iraq; however, there remains a great deal of work to be done.
Name
Faleh Mon'im
-
Profession
Question
Did you face any trouble from the occupying forces (America and its allies) during the war time? Did they prevent you from some work?
Answer
During the twenty days of war, it was very difficult to implement any aid projects. During this time, HRF concentrated on the stocking of supplies in response to the war. We aimed to avoid any friction between ourselves and the armed forces.
After the war, we found the Allied Forces to be helpful as they required the work of NGOs in preventing the crisis from worsening. They provided security for NGO's during aid work in response to requests.
Open dialogue between Allied forces and NGO's was welcomed. We co-operated as the people remained the priority.
Name
Dina
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How would you describe the humanitarian situation in Iraq at the moment?
Answer
It is extremely worrying. In the absence of security peoples, lives are ruled by chaos. Iraq was under sanctions for thirteen years and most families have been living on rationed food during this time.
The health and education systems are at breaking point. On average, hospitals are offering around 30% of full working services. Most medical staff have been unable to train for many years and medical supplies are hard to come by.
Medical equipment too, is a problem as most facilities are out of date. After the war, most public services stopped. Refuge collection ceased in Baghdad and in many other cities. This has huge implications in terms of sanitation and the outcome is disease and suffering.
Only 20% of electricity that is needed is currently available, and again, this has huge implications. 80% of schools are in need of complete refurbishment as a result of sanctions and the current crisis. Nearly 50% of children have stopped attending schools as they have been forced to work in order to sustain families. Many children under 10 have grown up without an education.
The affects of depleted Uranium is still visible today as cancer rates have soared in the past decade.
Hundreds and thousands of citizens have been turned into widows and orphans as a result of sanctions and the war.
Over a million citizens live with relatives or friends as they are unable to sustain their own homes. This leads to overcrowding and the implications are major when considering the lack of facilities for families.
Border controls are almost non existent. As a result, Iraq has been flooded with substandard food produce and the people are paying the price in terms of health.
Stress related illness is common as unemployment is rampant. Only 20% of people have jobs and even amongst the working minority deprivation is common. Thousands of families are without any income. The results are catastrophic
The absence of authority has affected every aspect of daily life. Normal life has ceased in effect and relief is urgently needed. Great attention and care is needed in order that Iraq may be restored. The people of Iraq are extremely affluent. They require long term help in order that their way of life may be re-established.
Name
Ashraf Sabri
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Can you tell us more about the Human Relief Organization and its relief work in Iraq? Do you do any relief work outside Iraq?
Answer
Please refer to the previous answers in order that you may gain an insight about HRF's work in Iraq.
HRF has many projects. We work with widows, orphans, the elderly and disabled community and generally anyone whom we can help. We provide help to hospitals, schools and elderly centers. We have been instrumental in the establishment of health clinics and we have worked extensively on development programs concerning basic necessities such as water and food.
We have gained a great deal of experience working in Ethiopia, Somalia, India, Kashmir, Palestine, Eastern Europe etc.
Name
Ameena
- Belgium
Profession
Question
We heard about closing the schools in Iraq until a new curricula is published, which will mainly focus on how to instill in the children's minds the love for America and its "liberation" of Iraq? Any information about this will be very well appreciated.
Answer
We are unaware of plans for a new curriculum. We expect that things will change for the new academic year and we hope that the people of Iraq have a say in the way their children are raised as we believe that this is a fundamental right.
We hope and expect that the International Community will uphold this right for the children of Iraq.
Name
Aisha Mekky
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
What is the relief work that is most needed in Iraq now? Is it food, medicine, water, or what exactly?
Answer
Medicine and Medical equipment are a priority; the support of families (orphans, widows, victims of war, etc.) is also crucial.
This is not to say that other re-habilitation is not necessary, but we are aware that medication and family support is desperately needed in the current climate.
Name
Voccar
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Can you tell us more about your experience in Iraq during war? You know here we were almost blinded from the truth and what exactly was going on? How did the regime sell the country?
Answer
After 13 years of sanctions the society is exhausted. The priority for most people is survival and getting through each day.
The military ability of Iraq was extremely limited after inspections, and regulations. The previous army was unable to defend Iraq against invasion. Capital cities became a priority and rural areas were not defended at all. As a result people did fight against the invasion; however the only real outcome was civilian causalities and destruction within urban areas.
The brutality of the former regime deterred many civilians from supporting the government. The effects of ongoing sanctions have damaged the moral of every citizen. The very fabric of daily life has been destroyed. With the promise of 'freedom,' reconstruction and rehabilitation from the Allied forces, Iraqi people did not have the desire to defend the former regime.
There are many conspiracy theories that are now circulating, however in my experience the sanctions, the military incapability of Iraqi army and the promises made by the Allied forces are the real reason for the regimes defeat.
Name
Shafiq khan
-
Profession
Question
We hear about the unity of Iraqis now….something very promising if true. Do you think the streets of Iraq now are better in terms of cooperation especially between the Sunnis and Shi'as?
Answer
I think that the cooperation between the two communities is clear. Citizens feel that the future of Iraq is the priority although they are worried that the Occupying Forces will not fulfill their promised duty.
Name
Abro
- United States
Profession
Question
At this point, what do people need the most?
Answer
Aside from health care, social support, and educational development, the people of Iraq need a genuinely democratic authority whose priority is the people of Iraq. The government should be chosen by the people, for the people.
Name
M. House
- Lebanon
Profession
Question
Did the occupied forces use any conventional weapons in the latest war? What is the effect of this, and how are you going to do to rectify it?
Answer
I expect that the respected questionnaire is enquiring about UN-conventional weapons. It has been confirmed that the Allied Forces used Cluster Bombs during the war. Such bombs are prohibited by International Law, and they have caused a great deal of death and misery amongst the Iraqi men, women and children.
During, and immediately after the conflict, hospitals were full of injured civilians. The number of civilian deaths remains unconfirmed; however, we expect that such rates are extremely high. We are unaware of the use of other prohibited weapons in the last war.
During the first Gulf War, Allied Forces consistently used bombs filled with depleted Uranium. The people of Iraq continue to suffer as a result. Iraq has one of the highest cancer rates in the world today and the effects of this 'unconventional' warfare will continue to be felt by the people for many years to come.
HRF will continue to fund health care facilities in Iraq in an effort to stop the suffering of the Iraqi people. We hope that an international committee such as the UN, or the Arab League, will establish a long running program to take care of the people of Iraq and ensure that the Allied Forces fulfill their duty in compensating Iraqi citizens. NGO's, by their nature, are limited in their capacity to help the communities of entire Nations.
Name
Rachid
- Canada
Profession
Question
Dr. Ramadhani, may Allah SWT reward you and all those who work in the relief organizations. I really think that this is one of the greatest forms of jihad now, to help people rebuild their life again. I have a couple of questions:
a. How much does the one family need to live in a month (I need this because I am going to use it as an example in my upcoming khutbah to encourage people to donate)?
b. What is the effect of war and sanctions on Iraqi health conditions? If you can provide some statistics, I would really appreciate it.
c. How about the education now? How much it needs from the whole world to donate? Does the Iraqi school now lack even the basic means of education?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
Thank you for your kind Du'a' and warm words of support. Aspects of your question have been answered previously so we hope that you will refer to the answers that have been given. However I will make an effort to respond to your enquiry as much as time permits.
Firstly, prior to the war, an average Iraqi family could be sustained for 1 month with $40, due to relative availability of food rations from the previous regime. In the current climate, prices have risen considerably so a sum of $50-$70 is needed in order to sustain a family for 1 month.
In response to the second part of your question, the war has undoubtedly created many casualties, amongst the men, women and children of Iraq. Due to ongoing sanction, the health system is unable to cope with the crisis. Many hospitals run on less than 30% working capacity and in some areas electricity supplies continue to remain under 20%. Hospitals without electricity are ineffective at best. Great problems also exist with medical supplies and equipment as we discussed previously.
Some medical factories have also been attacked during the recent war and this has added to the unavailability of basic medication.
12 years of sanctions mean that whilst the Iraqi society was growing, facilities continued to become less effective. Long term diseases such as Diabetes and Heart Disease have continued to increase and destroy lives due to hardship and extreme stress.
Cancer and other terminal diseases have also increased as a result of the use of unconventional weapons throughout the first Gulf War. Facilities to cope with such diseases have not at all been upgraded and medical training too, has been left in a stagnant condition.
Following the imposition of sanctions, death rates have increased ten fold, from around 26,000 P/A to over 200,000 P/A. Child mortality rates have also increased between 5-8 folds and cancer rates are reported to have increased to the highest in the World. Malnutrition has increased to 10 times the level of pre-sanction Iraq.
Many of Iraq's middle classes (over 4, 000, 000 people) have fled the country in pursuit of a better life. As a result, there is a genuine shortage of qualified doctors, teachers, lecturers and technicians etc.
The education system of Iraq has suffered extreme damage due to a lack of the most basic resources. Even periodicals and pencils were denied access to Iraq.
It is difficult to assert a 'Rebuilding figure' for the development of Iraq's education system, although clearly, billions of dollars are needed. Long term support and donations are needed for the reestablishment of a normal and productive education system in Iraq.
Name
Mohammed
- India
Profession
Software professional
Question
Dear brother,
As-Salamu `Alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatahu.
How far the Muslims in Iraq should receive the so called 'freedom and democracy?' Is it acceptable in a Muslim country the freedom which America is thinking of?
Answer
Wa`alaykum as-salamu warahmatullah,
Freedom is a fundamental right of all people. We believe that the people of Iraq should have the right of self determination in deciding their future, as should every other community on Earth.
Name
Carsten
-
Profession
Internet Programmer
Question
How, if at all, can be prevented that relief work is helping the occupation and their Iraqi collaborators?
Answer
Our priority is to stop the suffering of people. Other community organizations should work to provide Iraqis with the freedom, ability and means with which to determine their own future.
HRF has been working in Iraq for over a decade. We ensure that aid reaches the people who need it most through the use of HRF staff in Baghdad and other provinces. Wherever possible we strive for aid to be implemented to benefit those whom it is intended for.
Name
Mahmoud
- Indonesia
Profession
Question
I know the session is about relief work, but I just want to ask about the Iraqi resistance. We see some skirmishes everyday, and on the other hand, we see initiatives like that of Sheikh Kubaisi to stop this and work to establish a government. Any comment?
Answer
Thank you for your question. HRF is concerned with ending the suffering of vulnerable people. On a personal level, I support the right of the Iraqi people to choose their own future. It is the duty of the International Community to help the people of Iraq in this matter.
Name
maymoon
-
Profession
Question
It is really good chance to speak to someone who has come back from Iraq. I would like to ask about the following:
1. Were all the prisoners released? What's their number?
2. Have the allied forces started exporting oil or not yet?
3. Who is controlling the Iraqi TV now?
Answer
Thank you for your question; however, as a humantaran organisation we concentrate excusively on humanitarian issues. We are unnable to provide accurate information concerning prisoners etc.
Name
Tarek
- United States
Profession
Question
How do the people feel now after the collapse of Saddam and his regime? Do they find the occupation better?
Answer
Generally speaking, it is diffucult to say what the Iraqi people find 'better', however in today's Iraq citizens continue to suffer. Relieving this suffering is our priority.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
s
Answer
We would like to apologize for our viewers for not being able to answer all the questions within the time allotted to this session. We request our viewers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
