IRAQI CHILDREN STILL FACE PROBLEMS FROM GULF WAR

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 26, 1992                   TAG: 9201240363
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
IRAQI CHILDREN STILL FACE PROBLEMS FROM GULF WAR
It's been a year since the onset of the Persian Gulf War, and more than 10 months since the official end of that war. Yet many Iraqi civilians, mostly children, are still dying due to the aftereffects of U.S. and allied bombing.
Intensive aerial bombing destroyed most of Iraq's electrical power plants and sewerage systems, causing contaminated water and unsanitary conditions. Fifty thousand Iraqi children have already died from malnutrition and disease and many more are expected to.
Because of the ongoing trade embargo against Iraq, the Iraqi people are unable to obtain adequate food or medical supplies needed to treat the epidemic cases of disease and malnutrition, which did not exist in Iraq before the war.
Children at the Blue Mountain School in Floyd, upon hearing about the plight of Iraqi children, have decided to do something about it.
In the spirit of "Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards All," they have written letters to Iraqi children offering friendship and concern. They are also raising money to help "Madre," a New York-based women's peace network, send food and supplies to Iraqi children in need.
Vivian Stromberg, Madre executive director, recently returned from Iraq with a firsthand account of conditions there. During her stay she visited hospitals, Iraqi families and the wreckage site of the civilian bomb shelter where 700 women and children were killed when two U.S. bombs hit.
Upon returning to the states, Stromberg launched a letter-writing campaign to spread the urgent call for help and to raise money for baby formula, vitamins and antibiotics for the Iraqi children.
In the past, Madre has sent over $2 million in supplies and services directly to those most hit by poverty, war and repression: the children.
The children at Blue Mountain School, a small parent-run cooperative, are donating portions of their allowances, taking on special jobs or spending less on treats in an effort to make a difference child to child.
Some students have written letters to President Bush urging him to support a lifting of trade sanctions against Iraq that prevent them from getting the food and medicine they urgently need.
Donations can be sent to: Madre for the Children, Women's Peace Network, 121 W. 27th, Room 301, New York, N.Y. 10117-0235.\ Colleen Redman\ Floyd

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB