FED: CARE Australia to stay in Iraq

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-1998
FED: CARE Australia to stay in Iraq

CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - Aid organisation CARE Australia today vowed to remain in Iraq
despite todays air strikes, warning the attacks could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

CARE overseas operations director Robert Yallop said the bombings would only exacerbate the
already severe degradation of the countrys infrastructure.

"I was in Iraq a few weeks ago and I saw with my own eyes the continuing deterioration in
the condition of the Iraqi people," Mr Yallop said in a statement.

"Iraqi women and children are still seriously at risk after eight years of sanctions and it
appears we are again moving to the brink of disaster.

"At the end of the day those who will suffer as a result of this military intervention are
those who have suffered over the past eight years from the impact of the 1991 war, the
sanctions and so on."

CARE Australia employs 15 aid workers in Iraq, although none are Australian citizens.

It is the only Australian aid agency still operating in the country and Mr Yallop said
there was no intention to withdraw the workers at this stage.

"Our staff in Iraq are taking procedures to protect themselves," he said.

"However, they are determined to stay put and will continue their humanitarian mission as
soon as it is possible."

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KEYWORD: IRAQ CARE

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