THE plight of children in Iraq in the aftermath of the second Gulf War goes under the spotlight at a special meeting being held in Tavistock next week.
?What Future for the Children of Iraq?? has been organised by Tavistock Peace Action Group. The speaker will be Joanne Baker, who has visited Iraq five since since 1999, most recently last summer, when she saw for herself the effects of the conflict.
Ginny Davies of TPAG said: ?Among the problems seen by Joanne on her visit were injuries caused by cluster bombs.
?Malnutrition, waterborne diseases and cancers caused by the use of radioactive weaponry have all affected Iraq?s young people since 1991, intensified by 13 years of economic sanctions,? she said.
?Many children are suffering post traumatic stress disorder ? all these problems need urgent attention.?
Ginny said following Joanne?s most recent visit, she and others have set up an organisation called Child Victims of War, a project which will look at the long-term effects of war on children and encourage people at home and abroad to help them and their communities.
?Medical help and education are especially important. Already in Falmouth, art materials have been collected for Iraq and Joanne hopes Tavistock may also be able to offer support,? said Ginny.
The What Future for the Children of Iraq? meeting takes place in the International Exhibition Centre at Tavistock College at 7. 30pm on Tuesday November 25. Admission is free. For more information on Child Victims of War, go to http://www.childvictimsofwar.org">www.childvictimsofwar.org