Humanitarian Priorities in Iraq
Oxfam signs InterAction letter to President Bush
September 25, 2002
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C., 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of InterAction, the largest American alliance of international humanitarian and development nongovernmental organizations, I write concerning the possibility of military action in Iraq.
We urge you, Mr. President, to continue to work towards a diplomatic resolution to this situation within the context of the United Nations.
Our members are engaged around the world, including in Afghanistan, in delivering humanitarian aid in the wake of natural or man-made emergencies. These organizations are often called upon with little notice to provide emergency assistance.
We are concerned about the state of preparedness for the inevitable relief efforts, refugee flows, and internal displacement of people that would follow military action in Iraq. If such action were to be pursued, any strategy should include contingency planning for, as well as a full response to, the humanitarian consequences that will ensue, both for the Iraqi people and those in affected neighboring countries. We urge that any deliberations include a focus on minimizing harm to innocent civilians, many of whom are already in dire straits.
Finally, any undertaking in Iraq should not be allowed to compromise in any way your administration’s continued commitment to the many other humanitarian and development needs around the world, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, aid for Afghanistan, and the Southern Africa food crisis.
Sincerely,
Mary E. McClymont
President and CEO
Nancy A. Aossey
Chair of the Board
c.c.
The Honorable Colin L. Powell
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
The Honorable Andrew S. Natsios