Iraq: Feeding the Needy
5 minutes, 2003
Ref: 327

Iraq has a first world infrastructure, but third world poverty – and the blame for this is mostly said to be western sanctions. We travelled to northern Iraq, rich in oil, where food has to be rationed and few have jobs. Before the first Gulf War, Iraq was a reasonably prosperous country – it had the best health system in the Middle East – now diseases such as polio are making a comeback. They have electricity and running water in their houses – but if a new war happens, the power stations will be destroyed and they will be like other third world countries, relying on candles and water from wells, which will in turn mean the spreading of disease. We speak with the locals about what is required.