Iraq

A mother at the Well Baby Centre, Iraq. Due to sanctions and war, thousands of children have died because of lack of medical supplies [Maura O'Donohue]

Iraq was once one of the most prosperous developing countries. But after 12 years of UN-imposed economic sanctions and two Gulf Wars, many of Iraq's 27 million people have become impoverished.

Without the UN operational on the ground, and following the withdrawal of most NGOs, it is very difficult to gather accurate information about the conditions facing Iraqi people.

Our partners on the ground tell us that electricity and water supplies remain unreliable. And the numbers of people seeking food and help at the Caritas centres are rising. As a result health and nutrition is poor.

No single thing could do more to improve people's quality of life than a reduction in levels of violence and insecurity, which is leaving many Iraqi people with no means of supporting their families.

Since the war, CAFOD has been trying to fill gaps that were left by the former Coalition Provisional Authority in rebuilding the devastated country.

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