9/25/2002 3:17:37 PM
To: National and International desks
Contact: Mohammed Alomari of Life for Relief and Development, 248-424-7493, E-mail: it@lifeusa.org
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Life for Relief and
Development (LIFE), an American humanitarian relief organization based
in Southfield, Mich., is co-sponsoring a humanitarian visit to Iraq,
led by a Congressional delegation in order to gain a better
understanding of the humanitarian plight faced by innocent Iraqi
civilians still suffering from the destruction caused by the 1991 Gulf
War and the continuation of the 12-year embargo. Such an understanding
is crucial as our nation contemplates a second major military action
against Iraq.
The Congressional delegation, lead by Reps. David Bonior (MI-10th
district), Jim McDermott (WA-7th district), and Mike Thompson (CA-1st
district) will leave today (Sept. 25) and return next Tuesday (Oct. 1).
The Congressmen plan to visit civilian sites, including a hospital,
medical clinic, water filtration plant, a food distribution site (under
the United Nations 986 "oil-for-food" plan), and the UN humanitarian
office in Baghdad.
The delegation aims to learn, first-hand, the challenges imposed by
the damaged and substandard infrastructure (drinking water, sanitation,
health care, etc) damaged in the 1991 war and still un-repaired due to
lack of spare parts as a result of the embargo. Only by gaining a
clearer picture of the current humanitarian challenges and those that
we may face in the future, will we be able to work to alleviate the
suffering of Iraq's innocent civilian population. This suffering will
undoubtedly increase if and when another war occurs.
LIFE is officially licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department, the
United Nations, and the Iraqi Red Crescent to provide humanitarian
relief to the Iraqi civilian population. LIFE has completed a plan of
action for emergency humanitarian relief, which will include sending
additional medicines, medical equipment, and relief supplies in the
event of an outbreak of a new war in Iraq.
LIFE is co-sponsoring this congressional visit in cooperation with
the Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq (a project of
the Church Council of Greater Seattle, Washington). The president of
the Michigan-based Focus and American and Arab Interests and Relations
(FAAIR), Muthanna Al-Hanooti, will also accompany the Congressional
delegation.
This congressional delegation is part of the ongoing efforts of
LIFE to coordinate its humanitarian relief efforts with other
organizations interested in alleviating the sufferings of the civilian
population and promoting peace.
LIFE provides medical and relief supplies to the civilian
population, and encourages peaceful dialogue between all parties to
promote peace and stability in order to avoid the suffering of wars,
disease, and malnutrition.
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