Let Us Not Overlook the Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:29 am

Diplomats, politicians and the media alike have debated political and military approaches to Iraq's rapid descent into conflict. Little, however, has been said about the huge toll the fighting is taking on civilians. With talk of 'humanitarian intervention', there is a danger that the word 'humanitarian' is being conflated with military intervention - despite increasing humanitarian need in the proper sense.

Up to 400,000 people in Iraq have fled their homes in the last three weeks. Added to the 400,000 people displaced as a result of conflict in Anbar province earlier this year, this means almost one million people in Iraq have become internally displaced this year. In addition, due to the conflict in neighbouring Syria, 200,000 refugees already live in Iraq, mostly in the Kurdistan region. Yet when it comes to talking about the need for humanitarian assistance, there is alarmingly scant, if any, attention.

Ongoing fighting has made it difficult, in some cases impossible, for humanitarian organisations to access some areas, meaning a lack of information on the numbers of people affected and their living conditions. With access to many heavily affected areas, however, the Iraqi Red Crescent reports that many of those who have fled continue to move from place to place, making it hard to obtain a definitive and consistent picture.

What we do know is that many of the 800,000 people who have left their homes as a result of violence or the threat of violence are living in mosques, schools and makeshift camps, others have been taken in by family and friends or have managed to find temporary accommodation. Few have the funds to see them through a crisis which could last for months.

We also know there are already real shortages of food and water, at the height of summer, and during Ramadan. Essential services and supplies including healthcare and fuel are also in short supply. There is fear that further displacement and increasing heat could lead to the spread of disease. The World Health Organisation has warned of immediate and critical risks in Nineveh, Salah A-Din and Diyala, including the spread of measles, which is endemic in Mosul. It is also feared polio, which re-appeared in Iraq for the first time in 14 years earlier this year, could spread as fighting limits the reach of countrywide vaccination drives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mike-adamson/isis-iraq_b_5598354.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

Move along people, nothing to see here, you are only allowed to be outraged and protest at Israel according to some.

scratch

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:44 am

Yep, and we and America caused it and now we have left them in a worse state than they were before the invasion. Been yelling about it for years and the fact we destroyed all their infrastructure, then made a fortune building some of it back again, but only some and then leaving them to it once it had been completely destablised. It had the best education record in the Middle East, boys and girls, it had a medical system for all. We all know what Sadam did, but he kept Syria under control as well and we put the cat amongst the pigeons, and now the pigeons are all pecking each other to death, we have walked away. Al Q'eda wasn't there, now it is, for some time the 'Sons of Iraq' kept them out, acknowledged by the US military, now they are sinking fast. Aren't we and America proud of ourselves!

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:46 am

Here we go again, this is the present and little is being done about the situation in Iraq, stop living in the past and join people in the present and be as vocal about this far worse crisis not give ridiculous excuses.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:50 am

Oh do shut up, I've been saying something needed to be done and we should not have been there in the first place since before ADO. We killed off hundreds of thousands and now there is nothing anyone will do, like everything else, politicians fuck up, talk big, run away and leave the masses to it.

So what do you want to do? Send the troops back in? We cannot pressure them about anything, we have no influence, we are hated and with good reason.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:55 am

Sassy wrote:Oh do shut up, I've been saying something needed to be done and we should not have been there in the first place since before ADO. We killed off hundreds of thousands and now there is nothing anyone will do, like everything else, politicians fuck up, talk big, run away and leave the masses to it.

So what do you want to do? Send the troops back in? We cannot pressure them about anything, we have no influence, we are hated and with good reason.

No I will not bow down to what clearly is proof of your old days where you could shut people up Stasi, now you cannot and thank goodness for that, you rules like Communist East Germany, any dissenting voices were quelled and censured . The problems of Iraq and is causes are well documented and looking back to the past for blame is not going to resolve the resent situation, all you are doing is looking for someone to blame which is not going to help 800,0000 people, homeless and with little food. Want I want to see is people take to the streets in their thousands protesting at the world not being vocal or doing enough to stop this humanitarian crisis, I want to see countless articles, that so much pressure is laid to bare, that other Arab nations stand up and be counted to deal with this crisis, the same with Syria, but it seems it is only important these days to only bash Israel and make mockery of claiming to care when there are as seen far worse situations going on

by Raggamuffin Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:57 am

The Iraq invasion was a terrible mistake IMO, and it was obvious that it would solve nothing. However, nobody can stop this now, and intervening will just make it worse.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:58 am

You are nuts. There is no point in being vocal about something we can do nothing about. We can embargo Israel, we have not standing left in Iraq, troops withdrawn and no embargo possible. So go on, what you going to do.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:00 am

Raggamuffin wrote:The Iraq invasion was a terrible mistake IMO, and it was obvious that it would solve nothing. However, nobody can stop this now, and intervening will just make it worse.

Exactly. The atrocities being carried out are being done because of us, and there is fuck all we can do. What we did there is at the centre of the destabalising of the Middle East and especially Iraq and Syria. We fucked up big style.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:01 am

Sassy wrote:You are nuts. There is no point in being vocal about something we can do nothing about. We can embargo Israel, we have not standing left in Iraq, troops withdrawn and no embargo possible. So go on, what you going to do.

So there is no point being vocal to help people in massive camps that need aid, thus not getting the message across for people to donate and help out with charities working to help these people?
Not place pressure on Arab nations to get involved to stop the bloodshed, to place pressure on the Iraq Government who is a major problem behind this recent crisis being as it is not just ISIS by Sunni rebels.

Fuck me, nice one Stassi, I guess this far worse humanitarian crisis means fuck all to you and you just proved it

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:09 am

The people who want to hep Gaza have a plan. Being vocal does nothing. They want an embargo on Israel and the aid to it stopped until it takes notice. So it's not about being vocal, it's about getting something done, and that needs people taking notice, hence the demonstrations all over the world.

So what is your plan to get something done about Iraq?

by Raggamuffin Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:13 am

Sassy wrote:
Raggamuffin wrote:The Iraq invasion was a terrible mistake IMO, and it was obvious that it would solve nothing. However, nobody can stop this now, and intervening will just make it worse.

Exactly. The atrocities being carried out are being done because of us, and there is fuck all we can do. What we did there is at the centre of the destabalising of the Middle East and especially Iraq and Syria. We fucked up big style.

Thinking back to those days pre-invasion, one can only shake their head and say that it was obvious it would end up like this. A vast number of people marched in protest, and it made no difference whatsoever. Colin Powell did a presentation about the WMD, which proved absolutely nothing - a little child could have seen through the bluster.

I watched it all unfold as I had flu at the time so I spent all day watching the news for a while. I was outraged by what was happening, and also at the way it was all reported.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:19 am

Raggamuffin wrote:
Sassy wrote:

Exactly. The atrocities being carried out are being done because of us, and there is fuck all we can do. What we did there is at the centre of the destabalising of the Middle East and especially Iraq and Syria. We fucked up big style.

Thinking back to those days pre-invasion, one can only shake their head and say that it was obvious it would end up like this. A vast number of people marched in protest, and it made no difference whatsoever. Colin Powell did a presentation about the WMD, which proved absolutely nothing - a little child could have seen through the bluster.

I watched it all unfold as I had flu at the time so I spent all day watching the news for a while. I was outraged by what was happening, and also at the way it was all reported.

I was on the march, I was outraged. Went to London with a group from Taunton. As you say, it was obvious.

by Raggamuffin Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:35 am

Sassy wrote:
Raggamuffin wrote:

Thinking back to those days pre-invasion, one can only shake their head and say that it was obvious it would end up like this. A vast number of people marched in protest, and it made no difference whatsoever. Colin Powell did a presentation about the WMD, which proved absolutely nothing - a little child could have seen through the bluster.

I watched it all unfold as I had flu at the time so I spent all day watching the news for a while. I was outraged by what was happening, and also at the way it was all reported.

I was on the march, I was outraged. Went to London with a group from Taunton. As you say, it was obvious.

Yes, we can agree on that.

Having said all that, one can't really go on and on blaming the US and UK for the situation now. It was the Iraqi Government who decided to dispatch Saddam Hussein at the end of the rope, and to release a film of it - all of which I strongly disapproved of. It's the Iraqis who simply cannot seem to compromise, and it's the Iraqis who are committing the violence and killing now.

by The Puzzler Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:54 am

Sassy wrote:Yep, and we and America caused it and now we have left them in a worse state than they were before the invasion. Been yelling about it for years and the fact we destroyed all their infrastructure, then made a fortune building some of it back again, but only some and then leaving them to it once it had been completely destablised. It had the best education record in the Middle East, boys and girls, it had a medical system for all. We all know what Sadam did, but he kept Syria under control as well and we put the cat amongst the pigeons, and now the pigeons are all pecking each other to death, we have walked away. Al Q'eda wasn't there, now it is, for some time the 'Sons of Iraq' kept them out, acknowledged by the US military, now they are sinking fast. Aren't we and America proud of ourselves!

WAAHHH WAAHHH WAHHHH IT'S ALL AMERICA'S FAULT. The left begged us to go to war and get rid of Saddam in 2003 Rolling Eyes

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:56 am

No Blair, who I personally loathe and Bush worked together and conned the majority of people. The Conservatives were yelling for it to. In fact many Labour MPs voted against it, and it would not have gone through without the support of the Conservative vote.

by The Puzzler Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:00 am

Sassy wrote:
Raggamuffin wrote:The Iraq invasion was a terrible mistake IMO, and it was obvious that it would solve nothing. However, nobody can stop this now, and intervening will just make it worse.

Exactly. The atrocities being carried out are being done because of us, and there is fuck all we can do. What we did there is at the centre of the destabalising of the Middle East and especially Iraq and Syria. We fucked up big style.

You act as if the people of the Middle East are children who can't be held responsible for their actions. The left were right fucking behind the Arab Spring so don't act any different, you wanted this and now complain about the result.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:05 am

Another ignoramous. We are discussing Iraq, that we and America destroyed and destablised and has never been part of the 'Arab Spring'. Do go back to school.

by The Puzzler Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:16 am

Sassy wrote:Another ignoramous. We are discussing Iraq, that we and America destroyed and destablised and has never been part of the 'Arab Spring'. Do go back to school.

And Syria which was very much part of it and was where ISIS first went into combat. Try blaming America and us for that one.

by Raggamuffin Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:26 am

Sassy wrote:Another ignoramous. We are discussing Iraq, that we and America destroyed and destablised and has never been part of the 'Arab Spring'. Do go back to school.

Yes, the US and UK played a big part in that, but the Iraqis had the chance to build a new country, and they have failed, so that's their choice.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:32 pm

Here you go Zack, an even bigger humanitarian crisis going on, are you also writing on the British currency about this to help the plight of these Iraqi's to free them from ISIS, or is this of less importance?

by Original Quill Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:53 pm

Raggamuffin wrote:The Iraq invasion was a terrible mistake IMO, and it was obvious that it would solve nothing. However, nobody can stop this now, and intervening will just make it worse.

Well said, Raggs. This is a civil war that has been brewing since 1900. They want their fight. Let it happen...we can go in and clean up afterwards if there's anything left.

by Original Quill Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:59 pm

Sassy wrote:They want an embargo on Israel and the aid to it stopped until it takes notice.

Not a snowball's chance in hell of that happening. Next suggestion?

by Original Quill Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:05 pm

Raggamuffin wrote:Having said all that, one can't really go on and on blaming the US and UK for the situation now. It was the Iraqi Government who decided to dispatch Saddam Hussein at the end of the rope, and to release a film of it - all of which I strongly disapproved of. It's the Iraqis who simply cannot seem to compromise, and it's the Iraqis who are committing the violence and killing now.

Let Us Not Overlook the Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq F8hM8

All the US and UK did was remove the stick. The rest was going to happen anyway. All we can do now is step back.

by Fuzzy Zack Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:16 pm

I think we all agree there is a crisis in Iraq and Syria.

But what are the practical solutions? What is the west suppose to do?

Sending in another army to destroy Isis?

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:50 pm

here we have the crux of the matter....its all very well didge and co playing the "hate breeds hate" card (which as a bald statement is true enough) but such simplistic pipedreams are hardly practical are they...

I do note that so far didge has plenty of ideas about the history (as seen through HIS eyes) but absolutely NO idea about what to do....All the gear and no idea...

its the same on nearly every subject....plenty of opinion, but not the foggiest about what to do about it....

WE KNOW what, in theory, should be done, and rational men would do it...but we aint dealing with rational men, we are dealing with religiously motivated and power hungry mad men....

what does that leave us....well the answers to that are all, at the moment, unacceptable and unconsionable...

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:31 pm

victorisnotamused wrote:here we have the crux of the matter....its all very well didge and co playing the "hate breeds hate" card (which as a bald statement is true enough) but such simplistic pipedreams are hardly practical are they...

I do note that so far didge has plenty of ideas about the history (as seen through HIS eyes) but absolutely NO idea about what to do....All the gear and no idea...

its the same on nearly every subject....plenty of opinion, but not the foggiest about what to do about it....

WE KNOW what, in theory, should be done, and rational men would do it...but we aint dealing with rational men, we are dealing with religiously motivated and power hungry mad men....

what does that leave us....well the answers to that are all, at the moment, unacceptable and unconsionable...

I have plenty of ideas as to what to do about problems, for one being the main problem with unity against Isis in Iraq is down to the current government with its policies and the removal of the current leader would be a start, so you are so way off the mark because your thought process is only looking at Isis!
My point is it seems some conflicts show little interest or gain little interest to the world where there is even far worse humanitarian problems going on, and to the extent even here it takes back step tot he Israel/Palestinian conflict, there is even a thread I started that questions if Isis were behind the death of the 3 Israeli teenagers to create this conflict in the first place to take the worlds eyes away from this conflict

by Fuzzy Zack Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:37 pm

Didge wrote:
victorisnotamused wrote:here we have the crux of the matter....its all very well didge and co playing the "hate breeds hate" card (which as a bald statement is true enough) but such simplistic pipedreams are hardly practical are they...

I do note that so far didge has plenty of ideas about the history (as seen through HIS eyes) but absolutely NO idea about what to do....All the gear and no idea...

its the same on nearly every subject....plenty of opinion, but not the foggiest about what to do about it....

WE KNOW what, in theory, should be done, and rational men would do it...but we aint dealing with rational men, we are dealing with religiously motivated and power hungry mad men....

what does that leave us....well the answers to that are all, at the moment, unacceptable and unconsionable...

I have plenty of ideas as to what to do about problems, for one being the main problem with unity against Isis in Iraq is down to the current government with its policies and the removal of the current leader would be a start, so you are so way off the mark because your thought process is only looking at Isis!
My point is it seems some conflicts show little interest or gain little interest to the world where there is even far worse humanitarian problems going on, and to the extent even here it takes back step tot he Israel/Palestinian conflict, there is even a thread I started that questions if Isis were behind the death of the 3 Israeli teenagers to create this conflict in the first place to take the worlds eyes away from this conflict

We all know what your point was. Lol!

But as you've started the thread, let's hear your plan to resolve this.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:39 pm

Fuzzy Zack wrote:
Didge wrote:

I have plenty of ideas as to what to do about problems, for one being the main problem with unity against Isis in Iraq is down to the current government with its policies and the removal of the current leader would be a start, so you are so way off the mark because your thought process is only looking at Isis!
My point is it seems some conflicts show little interest or gain little interest to the world where there is even far worse humanitarian problems going on, and to the extent even here it takes back step tot he Israel/Palestinian conflict, there is even a thread I started that questions if Isis were behind the death of the 3 Israeli teenagers to create this conflict in the first place to take the worlds eyes away from this conflict

We all know what your point was. Lol!

But as you've started the thread, let's hear your plan to resolve this.

I just did, uniting the Iraq people, including the Kurds, with the removal of the present leader, with many nations including Iran placing pressure on this to happen

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:40 pm

ok...now provide a PRACTICAL and WORKABLE SOLUTION.....not a pipedrean pie in the sky idealist solution.....

by Fuzzy Zack Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:42 pm

Didge wrote:
Fuzzy Zack wrote:

We all know what your point was. Lol!

But as you've started the thread, let's hear your plan to resolve this.

I just did, uniting the Iraq people, including the Kurds, with the removal of the present leader, with many nations including Iran placing pressure on this to happen

Removal how? Election, by force,

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:46 pm

victorisnotamused wrote:ok...now provide a PRACTICAL and WORKABLE SOLUTION.....not a pipedrean pie in the sky idealist solution.....

It is practical, and not a pipe dream.

To Zack

What did you not understand by pressure from Iran for the current leader to step down?

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:47 pm

Didge wrote:
victorisnotamused wrote:ok...now provide a PRACTICAL and WORKABLE SOLUTION.....not a pipedrean pie in the sky idealist solution.....

It is practical, and not a pipe dream.

details???

To Zack

What did you not understand by pressure from Iran for the current leader to step down?

by Fuzzy Zack Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:50 pm

victorisnotamused wrote:
Didge wrote:

It is practical, and not a pipe dream.

details???

To Zack

What did you not understand by pressure from Iran for the current leader to step down?

Oh sorry. I thought Iraq was suppose to be a democracy. Silly me. Let's not ask the people of Iraq then.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:54 pm

Well the people are in arms are they not, this is not just Isis or the Kurds who are at odds with the present Government, many following Isis are other Sunni factions or have you not followed the present conflict Zack. There is also a question mark over fair elections, so democracy is a very loose word to use indeed.

To Victor, I just explained, not my problem if it is difficult for you to comprehend!

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:01 pm

As i thought..all the gear and no idea....

what part of "unworkable at present" dont you get....

what part of it aint going to happen dont you get....

AND...I'm STILL waiting for all those extremists, conveniently gathered in one place, to be "taken out" Rolling Eyes

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:03 pm

That is your opinion, that is not proving it cannot happen.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:19 pm

surrender didge?????? Shocked

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:20 pm

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:25 pm

when someone says "that is merely your opinion" it is usually conceeding the argument....

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:27 pm

Hardly, all you did was saying it is a pipe dream, well they thought ending apartheid was a pipe dream and it did end, they thought civil rights for blacks in America was a pipe dream, they though equal rights for homosexuals was a pipe dream, which shows how poor your opinion really is.
What it means is you have nothing to counter with

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:31 pm

when all you have is a vague hope based on conflicts that are in no way similar to the present ones....

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:32 pm

Yet again that is your opinion and nothing substantial to prove otherwise it could not happen.

by Guest Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:57 pm

but you have no proof it can happen either....

or when....

it could take a long long time......do we have a "long long time"?????

AND...I'm STILL waiting for all those extremists, conveniently gathered in one place, to be "taken out" Rolling Eyes

by Guest Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:01 am

There is many extremists all in one place who have since been held in check, things can happen very quickly, as it only takes moments for a decision to happen, thus time will tell if I am right.

by Guest Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:16 am

now THAT is true...time will tell.....

right me old mucker...I'm orf to bed....sleep well

by Guest Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:47 am

Sleep well Victor as always I enjoy the debates and have missed you to have all little bouts!

by Fuzzy Zack Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:51 pm

Didge wrote:Well the people are in arms are they not, this is not just Isis or the Kurds who are at odds with the present Government, many following Isis are other Sunni factions or have you not followed the present conflict Zack. There is also a question mark over fair elections, so democracy is a very loose word to use indeed.

To Victor, I just explained, not my problem if it is difficult for you to comprehend!

And so you want the West to deal with Iran? I'm sure Israel would love that. Lol!

by Guest Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:52 pm

Fuzzy Zack wrote:
Didge wrote:Well the people are in arms are they not, this is not just Isis or the Kurds who are at odds with the present Government, many following Isis are other Sunni factions or have you not followed the present conflict Zack. There is also a question mark over fair elections, so democracy is a very loose word to use indeed.

To Victor, I just explained, not my problem if it is difficult for you to comprehend!

And so you want the West to deal with Iran? I'm sure Israel would love that. Lol!

Nope, wrong again

by Fuzzy Zack Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:56 pm

Didge wrote:
Fuzzy Zack wrote:

And so you want the West to deal with Iran? I'm sure Israel would love that. Lol!

Nope, wrong again

Lol! Did I lose a debate? HA HA!

So just how are going to influence Iran?

by Guest Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:58 pm

What is now a greater threat to Iran than anything before they faced from the west?

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