The War On Iraqi Civilians

Brookings:

The Iraq Index [PDF] is a statistical compilation of economic and security data. This resource will provide updated information on various criteria, including crime, telephone and water service, troop fatalities, unemployment, Iraqi security forces, oil production, and coalition troop strength.

The index is designed to quantify the rebuilding efforts and offer an objective set of criteria for benchmarking performance. It is the first in-depth, non-partisan assessment of American efforts in Iraq, and is based primarily on U.S. government information. Although measurements of progress in any nation-building effort can never be reduced to purely quantitative data, a comprehensive compilation of such information can provide a clearer picture and contribute to a healthier and better informed debate.

Here are some snippets from the index:

• Civilians in Baghdad killed in questionable circumstances by U.S. troops - 12/01/2003:
  
  
  • May: 11
  • June: 24
  • July: 20
  • August: 27
  • September: 12


• Month Annualized homicide rate in Baghdad per 100,000 citizens (For comparison Washington DC rate: 45.82) - 12/01/2003:
  
  
  • May: 100
  • June: 135
  • July: 160
  • August: 190
  • September: 190
  • October: 190
  • November: 190
  • December: 180


• Baghdad Public Opinion - Early Fall:
  
  
  • Is Iraq better off now than it was before the invasion? Better off: 33%; Worse off: 47%
  • Have you been afraid at times to go outside your home during the day within the past four weeks? Yes: 86%; No: N/A
  • Is Baghdad a more dangerous place now than before the invasion? Yes: 94%; No: N/A

My peeps at the American Friends Service Committee, give us this report on the human cost and relief efforts in Iraq:

The social safety net and protective housing laws that were in place before the war have crashed, leaving an ever greater number of families vulnerable.

In Baghdad alone, more than 54,000 people have been identified as homeless, and the numbers increase daily. Many more people remain in their homes but live there in dire poverty. Jobs have not materialized in post-war Iraq, resulting in an unemployment rate of more than 50 percent. The housing shortage stands at 1.4 million.
...
As winter approaches, AFSC is bringing material aid to 840 Iraqi families—nearly 4,000 people—forced to live in abandoned lands and buildings at the squatters' camps of Al Salam, Al Gazalia, and Al Huda in Baghdad. In partnership with Mennonite Central Committee and CARE, AFSC distributed hygiene buckets to each family. In addition, AFSC has purchased canisters of much needed cooking fuel (propane), which will be distributed to the families over the next couple of weeks through a local implementing partnership with the Organization for Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI).

Please consider a donation to AFSC or another organization to help the Iraqi people recover from 12 devastating years of war. Let's help win the hearts and minds, and do some real good at the same time.

Peace,
ntodd  ¶ 11:18 AM