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CIVIC is the only organization solely focused on civilians in armed conflict.
Field Blog
Healing the Wounds Iraq | Heal the Wounds: Iraq |
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Latest news: Field Blog: CIVIC from the Field: Iraq
The Conflict US-led Coalition Forces invaded Iraq in March 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein’s Government. Coalition Forces have since struggled to stabilize the country and transition governmental authority to the citizens of Iraq as insecurity and violence continue. Iraqi civilians have often found themselves caught in the crossfire, suffering death, injury, and property damage. Though casualty figures vary widely, Iraq Body Count conservatively estimates that around 100,000 Iraqis have been killed as a direct result of violence since 2003. The United States is in the process of withdrawing troops and anticipates reducing troop numbers to 50,000 by the end of August 2010. However, Iraqi civilians continue to be victimized by violence, largely due to sectarian violence and the insurgency against coalition forces and the government. Insurgents have used mortars, missiles, suicide attacks, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), roadside bombs, car bombs, small arms fire, and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades), decimating entire communities. In early 2010, nearly two million Iraqis were refugees in the neighboring countries of Jordan and Syria. As of November 2009, close to 3 million were internally displaced. Some refugees are returning, but the vast majority cannot go back to their homes. Lack of security and employment prospects are the primary deterrents. CIVIC's Work CIVIC helped create the first-ever US-funded program for the victims of the conflict, the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund. By providing health care, livelihood assistance, and rebuilding homes, this fund helps Iraqi civilians and their families begin to rebuild their lives. CIVIC held trainings and assessment sessions with the Marla Fund staff in Iraq and Jordan resulting in recommendations delivered to USAID and Congress, many of which were later implemented on the ground. CIVIC continues to press the U.S. military to provide just and equitable compensation to Iraqi war victims to help them recover from violence. CIVIC trains Iraq-bound troops in addressing civilian harm and is providing key recommendations to policymakers and the military on how to improve the current compensation system. CIVIC continues to work for Iraqi civilians who have not yet received the help they deserve—a particularly urgent fear, given the gradual U.S. military withdrawal. CIVIC is mapping the system of care that currently exists and working to create a better, more cohesive system of assistance to be managed by Iraqis. This includes international efforts like the above mentioned Marla Fund as well as Iraqi Government efforts like widows and pension programs. The goal is to strengthen the safety net for Iraqis through program cooperation and increased capacity of local organizations to care for war victims. CIVIC also aided the award winning creators of the play, The Exonerated, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, in interviewing displaced Iraqis. The writers crafted those conversations into a critically acclaimed theatrical performance called Aftermath, which received stellar reviews from the New York Times, Variety, and the Daily News.CIVIC looks forward to bringing Aftermath to Washington, DC in 2010. With Iraqi war victims largely forgotten, U.S. and Coalition policymakers have a duty to fund war victims’ programs, reconstruction and rebuilding, and efforts that build human capacity in Iraq to heal communities. Casualty Statistics
- 2003-May 19, 2010: 96,264 and 104,997 civilian casualties (Iraq Body Count) Publications
White Paper: US Military Compensation to Civilians in Armed Conflict, published May 2010 CIVIC on Iraq
Huffington Post: Five Years After Marla Ruzicka's Death, Are Iraqis Being Cared For?,April 14, 2010
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 June 2010 ) |
Iraq
