Medical support for children suffering from leukemia

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Background

The security situation has continued to deteriorate and the unsettled situation has persisted in Iraq even after the government was formed in May 2006. The government is still unable to function adequately. Following the Iraq war it was hoped that basic services such as electricity and running water would be quickly restored, but this restoration work is progressing slowly. Furthermore, improvements in the health sector have also been slow, and hence the situation requires external aid from abroad.

Summary of activities

1. Medical assistance for children with leukemia

The number of children suffering from leukemia and other forms of cancer is increasing in Iraq. It is said that this has been caused by the radioactive ele-ments included in the depleted uranium shells that were used during the Gulf War in 1991. However, there is a shortage of medical supplies and health-care facilities, and as a result lives are being lost that perhaps could have been saved if there had been suf-ficient medicine.

Since 2003, JVC has been providing aid for medi-cal supplies and equipment for children with cancer and leukemia. This work has developed through the Japan Iraq Medical Network (JIM-NET), a network of NGOs involved in the provision of medical aid in Iraq.

Due to the deteriorating security situation within Iraq, we are working from a base in neighbouring country, Jordan, from where we are in touch with the doctors in Iraq.

2. Advocacy

JVC has been concentrating on research and advo-cacy work with the aim of speeding up the rehabilita-tion of Iraq's health administration system and im-proving the effectiveness of Japanese government aid to Iraq.

In 2006, we carried out a survey regarding the availability of medical supplies and compiled a report revealing the terrible state of Iraq's hospitals. Based on that research, we have been able to confirm the continuing need for emergency medical assistance, and we have called on the Japanese government to re-evaluate its aid to Iraq.

We occasionally publish an email bulletin, "The JVC Iraq Briefing" as a means of publicizing the voices of Iraqi people and raising public awareness of the situation.