/** mideast.gulf: 70.0 **/
** Topic: Iraq: Iraqi children face death - C **
** Written 9:04 PM Jan 9, 1996 by G.LANGE@LINK-GOE.comlink.apc.org in cdp:mideast.gulf **
AMMAN (J.T.) - Iraq is currently facing a major battle to prevent the deaths of thousands of children from severe malnutrition, according to CARE Australia representative who has just returned from the country.
Speaking on his arrival in Amman, after a week-long visit to Iraq CARE Australia's Middle East regional director, Robert Yallop, said the hu- manitarian situation in the country was horrific.
"I spent several days visiting paediatric hospitals, schools and water treatment facilities and the situation was appalling. I have visited Iraq regularly over the past four and a half years and this time have been shocked and appalled by the present state of suffering.
"The humanitarian situation has been deteriorating steadily over the past five years of sanctions. The world has forgotten what is happe- ning to Iraq's children.
"The situation has deteriorated now to the point where the internatio- nal community must act immediately to prevent thousands of children dying from malnutrition.
Mr. Yallop, who established CARE's humanitarian operations in Iraq after the Gulf war, said he was deeply shocked by the situation facing families, especially children.
"I have a three-year-old son who weighs about thirteen kilos," Mr. Yallop said. "I saw children the same age as my son in hospitals in Iraq who weighed five and six kilos. It simply should not be."
With the support of the Dutch government, CARE Australia is immediately starting a supplementary feeding project in Paediatric hospitals in 14 provinces in central and southern Iraq, Mr. Yallop said. CARE will provide milk, cheese and high energy biscuits to approximately 4.500 malnourished children each day, for the coming six months, he said.
"Five years of sanctions have prevented Iraq from selling oil and have resulted, in a crisis in the supply of food and medicine within Iraq," said Mr. Yallop. "Only when Iraq can sell oil freely and purchase food and medicine can the humanitarian disaster end.
"This should not be viewed as a political issue, but simply an issue of humanity."