Children in War

Since the events of 1990-91, Iraq has found it hard to provide for the nutritional needs of its people. The prevalence of malnutrition in Iraqi children under 5 years of age almost doubled since 1991. Since the end of the Gulf War, the rate of anemia among Iraqi women has risen to 70 percent. The number of low birth weights (less than 2.5 kg) also rose as a predictable effect of maternal malnutrition. According to the World Food Program, access to safe drinking water has dropped to 50% of the 1991 level. According to the World Health Organization, communicable diseases and malaria, which had been under control in Iraq returned to epidemic proportions in 1993 rendering the health care situation in Iraq precarious. Children are among the growing number of victims claimed by these problems. The child mortality rate has tripled since 1990.

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