DATE=10/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UNICEF / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255274
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund,
says there has been a sharp deterioration in the
health of children in Iraq since the end of the Gulf
War in 1991. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the
agency is urging speedier delivery of nutritional and
health supplies to Iraq.
TEXT: The executive director of UNICEF, Carol Bellamy,
calls her visit to Iraq a sobering experience. /// Opt
/// Her recent four-day visit was the first she has
made to the country since assuming her post as head of
UNICEF four-and-one-half years ago. /// End Opt ///
Ms. Bellamy says what she saw during her visit is
clearly cause for concern.
/// BELLAMY ACT ///
I don't think a whole generation has been
wiped out. But, we are concerned about the
children of Iraq today. Clearly, the
conditions for children in Iraq have
deteriorated over the past decade. There
is no question from a health and education
perspective.
/// END ACT ///
A recent UNICEF survey shows a dramatic increase in
infant and child deaths. The survey reveals that in
the heavily populated southern and central parts of
the country, children under five are dying at more
than twice the rate they were before the Gulf War.
The survey notes the situation in the autonomous
northern region of Iraq is slightly better.
Ms. Bellamy says throughout the 1980's, Iraq had been
making good progress in reducing child deaths. Had
that progress continued throughout this decade, she
says there would have been half-a-million fewer deaths
of children under five in the country. The UNICEF
chief says there is no one reason to explain the
decline. She says it is a combination of many things.
/// BELLAMY ACT ///
It's a combination of a country that's been
in two wars over the last 10, 15 years. A
combination of (United Nations) sanctions
on the one-hand. But, the failure of the
government of Iraq itself to intervene to
do more for its children. So, I believe
there is responsibility on behalf of both
the government of Iraq and the
international community to try and act in
ways to improve the health conditions, the
health and education conditions of children
in Iraq.
/// END ACT ///
Ms. Bellamy notes there has been a dramatic increase
in bottle-feeding of infants in Iraq. This, she says,
has led to higher levels of malnutrition and child
mortality. She urges the government of Iraq to remove
infant formula from the rations and replace them with
additional food for pregnant and lactating women.
Under the United Nations oil-for-food program, Iraq
can buy humanitarian supplies. Ms. Bellamy says the
purchase and distribution of high protein food,
therapeutic milk and other essential goods for
children should be speeded up. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/JP
20-Oct-1999 09:47 AM EDT (20-Oct-1999 1347 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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