Iraqi kids worse hit than kids hit by Tsunami– time for the world to help the Iraqi kids as well
Sudhir Chadda, Special Correspondent
December 31, 2004

It is refreshing and reassuring to know that close to $500 million is pledged to help the kids hit by Tsunami. Many international corporations, Governments and United Nations organizations are launching massive aid effort to help the communities hit by the Tsunami and earthquake in Sumatra and South Asia.

But it is very sad that such outpour of love and charity never happened for Iraqi kids. First these kids in Iraq suffered Saddam’s regime for many years. Many families were gassed, wiped out and butchered by the dictatorial regime of Saddam.. Then came the UN sanctions. During a decade of sanction the Iraqi kids suffered badly. Now we know that the oil for food program was scheme for some people to steal money and little of that money ever helped the kids and their families.

Then came the coalition forces. During initial war, the kids suffered. Since then numerous kids have suffered, injured and made orphan by the insurgency movement as well as coalition forces implementation of law and order.

What is really bad is that the Iraqi kids are all forgotten. When Mother Nature shows the fury in wiping out the aspirations of 50,000 in ten minutes, on a day after the Christmas, the world rises up and starts massive relief efforts. But no one really cares for triple the number of kids who have suffered slowly over time in many years and still suffering.

For the insurgents in Iraq as well as for the coalition forces, the kids in Iraq do not know the politics of power and what not. They have suffered a lot. It is time for Red Cross, International Corporations, UN Organizations and individual nations and citizens to help the kids in Iraq. 

When adults fight a war for whatever reasons, they know why they are fighting. But for kids it is really a nuisance. They just suffer the effects without being able to understand anything. 

As the world is up and running in sending aids for the Tsunami hit kids, it is time for the world to send similar help for the Iraqi kids.