The bombing has stopped in Iraq but the break down in basic services, including power, clean water and waste disposal has led to a sudden and overwhelming increase in gastro-intestinal infections – one of the most serious threats facing children in any emergency and likely to kill significantly more children than bullets or bombs.

Save the Children staff in Baghdad report that there are now more children in hospital suffering gastro-enteristis as a result of drinking contaminated water, than there are direct casualties of war.

Gastro-enteristis causes severe diarrhoea and if left untreated leads to dehydration and potentially death, particularly in young children.

The pandemic is exhausting the country’s limited supply of clean water and medicines. The UN estimates that hospitals and clinics will run out of basic medicines in less than 3 weeks.

New Zealander Brendan Paddy, a Press Officer for Save the Children currently in Baghdad, reports that water and sewer pipes have been directly damaged by bombing, and utility staff who fled water, sewage and electricity plants to escape the bombing, are only now beginning to return.

“At present sewage is being poured directly into the Tigris and even where tap-water is available it may be contaminated. A shortage of cooking gas makes boiling potentially dirty water more difficult.

“The problem in Baghdad forms part of a chronic ongoing emergency that started with sanctions and has been exacerbated by the damage and disruption caused by war. Only 60% of Iraqis had access to potable water before the war. Damage and disruption to power supplies have exacerbated the situation, with serious consequences for hospitals and public health."

Save the Children New Zealand launched an emergency appeal for Iraqi children in March, which has so far raised over $350,000, including a $50,000 grant from NZAID. Executive Director John Bowis said today: “New Zealanders have been very generous but we’re calling for more donations as thousands of children and their families still urgently need our help."

Save the Children has just sent a road convoy of medical supplies to provide for 40,000 people for three months to Baghdad. These medicines will be distributed in Baghdad, the districts of Mosul and Kirkuk and the towns of Erbil and Suleimaniya. Save the Children has worked in the latter 2 towns for 12 years and has established operations in Mosul and Kirkuk since the fighting there ceased.

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Please help us to help children in Iraq by donating to our emergency appeal today.

Donate Now to donate online or call freephone 0800 167 168. Thank you.

For more information, phone 04 385 6847 or email info@scnz.org.nz