Rev. John Anderson: The Hunger Consequences of a War with Iraq

There is a frail two-year-old slowly dying of dehydration in a Basra hospital while his mother sits next to him, helpless to stop the ravages of diarrhea and infection. He is, according to the World Health Agency, one of the 5,000 Iraqi children who die of water-borne diseases and malnutrition each month.

The young boy is dying because the U.S. systematically targeted water-purification plants and electrical generators in the 1991 Gulf War.

According to Col. John Warden, deputy director of strategy, doctrine and plans for the U.S. Air Force, the purpose of the attacks was "to accelerate the effects of (economic) sanctions" and increase "long-term leverage."

The bombing knocked out almost 97 percent of the countryÕs electrical capacity, a disaster in a highly mechanized and electricity dependent society like Iraq. In the first eight months following the war, 47,000 children died of diseases like cholera, typhoid and gastroenteritis. More than a half million have followed them in the past decade, and infant mortality has tripled. (From Conn Hallinan, foreign policy analyst and provost at UCSC.)

Of course we are already at war with Iraq, but it appears that it surely will escalate. Whatever we think or feel about this war, or any war, is inconsequential to the children of Iraq, who will be the first to suffer. Malnutrition is spreading due to the massive deterioration of the basic infrastructures, particularly in the water supply and disposal systems. It will get worse as more fighting begins.

The public is welcome to attend a special Prayers for the Children of Iraq, on Friday, Feb. 28, from 7 p.m. to 8 pm, in the sanctuary at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 25 Lake St. This is open to all persons, regardless of tradition or faith. For more information, call (415) 715-1626.

Rev. John Anderson is pastor at St. John's Presbyterian Church.