Iraq Audit

The following is a link to an article outlining Stuart Bowen's, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, report about the current state of Iraq.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060130/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqreconstruction_060130222931

Interesting Stats:

Pre-War Current
Electricity 4500 Watts 3995 Watts
Sewage 24% of pop. 19% of population
Clean Water 50% of pop. 36% of population
Oil Production 2.6 Millions 2.1 Millions Barrell/day

NBC Cameraman

The following is a link to the NBC News blog, "Blogging Baghdad - The Untold Story" where Cameraman Kevin Burke states, "the most vulnerable casualties of war are children." He discusses a visit to an orphanage in Baghdad. It is very powerful writing. The link was sent to me by Adrian Eaton, someone who shares War Kids Relief's passion for making the world a better place.

http://onthescene.msnbc.com/baghdad/2006/01/many_wounds_to_.html

January Update 2

This week in Iraq has been especially violent leading up to yesterday's start of Eid al-Adha, a holy Muslim Holiday celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice. On one day alone, 200 Iraqis were killed and in one incident suicide bombers made their way to within a close distance of the US Ambassador. These are difficult times in Iraq as the government is struggling to secure its newest positions.

During this period USAID has released a plan to work in 10 strategic cities and lay the foundation for peace - the proposal is worth nearly $1.3 Billion. War Kids Relief is excited about the opportunity that this proposal brings since it has a definite focus on youth programming and employment generation for youth.

Currently there are 3.5 million youth out of school as they either fear the dangers surrounding the schools or are working in the streets. War Kids Relief is developing a alternative education program for these students focusing on the existing Youth Centers. The original plan was to incorporate computer classrooms into these locations, but we have progressed in the programming to looking at a bigger picture.

Yesterday I held meetings with personnel from the Ministry of Youth and Sports who are visiting Washington and attending a youth conference. Through discussions we worked up a plan to incorporate vocational training and employment generation into the mix. We hope to make the Youth Center a place to engage the children and keep them out of the hands of the insurgency...a real fear for the ministry.

I am extremely excited about this opportunity for War Kids Relief. We have been very successful in advocacy and other realms, but have not yet done enough on the ground. This is the break we have been waiting for.

For more information on War Kids Relief, please visit the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) homepage, (http://vvaf.org/).

British General's Critique

The following link is to a Yahoo release of a story regarding the critique written by a British General. In the critique he touches on the lack of cultural sensitivity within the US Army but lauds their compassion.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060111/ts_nm/iraq_usa_briton_dc_1

Happy New Years 2006

The results of Iraq's December 15th elections are beginning to become clear as the Shiites have solidified their stronghold, but have not gained enough to have a simple majority. 184 of the 237 seats are needed to gain a coalition within the government, but it is projected that the Shiites only gained 130. This may work best for the growing nation by forcing each of the parties to work together. With an international investigation of the election still in progress it may be 2 weeks before we know the actual results.

In recent days, leaders from each group have been meeting to ensure they can gain a foothold within the new government. Over the next few weeks the ministries will slowly be filled and begin to put together their agendas for the next 4 years. Some estimate that the Iraqi government will not be in full swing until late April.

War Kids Relief is starting 2006 by working closely with the current ministries in Baghdad as they transition into their new roles. We are working to implement a computer classroom proposal that we hope can be bring the youth through out Iraq's 18 governorates into the 21st century. We hope by spring, children are receiving classes in 100 youth centers and focusing their education on computer skills as well as English and other important topics.

The next 6 months are a critical time for both Iraq and War Kids Relief. With continued commitment we will be able to really make a difference in the lives of the Iraq children. Hopefully we will also be able to help those here at home, like the young teenage boy from Florida who traveled to Baghdad on his Christmas holidays. We are working to implement an adopt a youth center program so children here in the states can help their peers in Iraq gain a foothold for a better future.

For more information on War Kids Relief, please visit the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) homepage, (http://vvaf.org/).