Press Release Author = Veteran Organ Donors International
Industry = Media
Press Release Summary = Survey indicates more than 5,000 children killed in war
Press Release Body = NOVEMBER 3, 2006
IRAQI CITIZEN POLL IS ALARMING More than 5,000 children killed in war
A VODI volunteer in Baghdad reported today that one of six Jordanian university students recruited to take a random survey of Iraqi civilians was stopped and questioned last week by a U.S. Army patrol. After he explained what he was doing Khaled was detained for an hour and then driven all the way to the Jordanian border and told to the leave the country. He was released unharmed. The survey, conducted at the request of VODI is designed to document the quality of life for Iraqi children and asks only a dozen questions.
The Jordanian sociology students reported that of 600 Iraqi citizens randomly selected and surveyed in Baghdad, 63% of them report losing one or more family members to military attacks since the invasion, and more than half of these casualties were civilian. The survey also indicates that approximately 40% of all Iraqi children under age 10 lost one or more parents. 1 out of every five Iraqi children under age 10 were orphaned by the war and/or subsequent occupation. In a country of 25 million people, 45,000 civilian casualties have been documented by project Iraq Body Count, but both the Red Crescent and the Arab League believe the John Hopkins University/Lancet report of 600,000 deaths is \"far more realistic\". In his 27 year reign, Saddam Hussein is alleged to have killed 100,000 Iraqis. Why coalition soldiers are instructed not to conduct body counts remains an unanswered question. \"To date, we can extrapolate that between 5,000 and 8,000 Iraqi children have been killed by military actions since 1991\" said VODI Chairman Bruce Gorcyca\" who added \"We do not have the resources to investigate further, but urge the Red Crescent, United Nations and Amnesty International to conduct an official and proper casualty count to ascertain the truth\". VODI maintains that the world community demands accountability for civilian deaths by foreign military forces.
The VODI poll also revealed that 72% of the Baghdad residents never considered the invasion to be a \"liberation\" and want all foreigners out of their country. 57% report that they are still without running water and/or electricity in their homes, and the most disturbing poll result shows that 78% of Iraqis felt \"more secure and safe\" before the invasion than now. 28% of Iraqi children require medical attention but have been waiting six months or longer to see a doctor. Iraqi\'s biggest fear now seems to be that of years of forthcoming civil war, vengeful death squads, and Muslim fundamentalists taking control of the nation, much like the Taliban did in Afghanistan. 89% of those surveyed say the negative effects of the invasion far outweigh the removal of Saddam Hussein which only half of those surveyed saw as a positive action. Of those polled, 52% were Shiite Muslims, 23% were Suni Muslims and 25% refused to disclose their religious affiliations. \"While we do not condone suicide bombings or other acts of indiscriminate terrorism, this poll suggests that the growing \"insurgency\" may just be outraged citizens seeking revenge for the death of their innocent children, parents, or spouses\" Gorcyca concluded.
Submitted By:
Paul Franklin Public Information Office Veteran Organ Donors International 117 Lakeshore Road East - Suite 339 Toronto, Ontario L5G-4T6 (905) 891-1981 EMAIL: VODI@mail.com
Web Site = http://www.VeteranOrganDonors.org
Contact Details = Veteran Organ Donors International 117 Lakeshore Road East Suite 339 Toronto, Ontario Canada L5G-4T6
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