Union Aid Abroad Iraq Appeal Update

Date: 11 April 2003

Three weeks ago, on behalf of the ACTU and Australian trade unions, Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA launched an appeal to assist the victims of the invasion of Iraq. Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA has formed an alliance with two trade union linked aid agencies, Norwegian People's Aid and Swiss Workers' Aid, to deliver assistance to the Iraqi and Kurdish victims of the conflict.

Norwegian People's Aid has long experience in Iraq, having had projects and staff in that country for a number of years. Along with Swiss Workers' Aid, they are supporting a camp north of Baghdad for families displaced by conflict and donations to Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA will be sent to assist this work. This camp has a focus on providing a safe haven, food and medicine to those who are the most vulnerable during any civil conflict - women, children and the aged.

While the conflict to date has not resulted in a massive flow of refugees fleeing the country, there have been a significant number of internally displaced people who have left their cities until the situation stabilises. UN estimates indicate that there are up to 200,000 displaced people in the Suleimaniya area where the camp being assisted in this appeal is located.

Although Saddam Hussein's regime is finished, the sufferings of the Iraqi people continue. With many basic services destroyed in Baghdad, it is expected to be some time before life returns to normal. At the moment, without sufficient medicines or electricity, hospitals are not able to fully function. Without electricity neither the water nor sewerage systems are operating. This could lead to serious impacts on the civilian population, especially children, from possible diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis.

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is also discussing with Norwegian People's Aid how to move from emergency response to aid towards reconstruction of essential social services, health and education, and development of Iraqi civil society.

If any Australian trade union or workplace is interested in collecting funds and making a tax deductible donation to assist the people of Iraq, please contact Union Aid Abroad on:-

Phone: 1800 888 674 (free-call - business hours)

Phone: (02) 9264 9343

Email: apheda@labor.net.au

web: www.apheda.org.au

Or mail to Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA Level 3, 377 Sussex St Sydney 2000

For further information

Contact:	Peter Jennings - Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA
Union:	APHEDA Union Aid Abroad
Phone:	02 9264 9343
Contact Mobile:	0409 047 353
Fax:	02 9261 1118
Email:	apheda@labor.net.au
WWW:	http://www.apheda.org.au

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