'We Go Where The Human Condition Is Desperate'

'We Go Where The Human Condition Is Desperate'

Tools

Story Published: Feb 24, 2003 at 3:15 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 12:58 AM PDT

By Molly Shen

Watch the story
SEATTLE - While the U.S. military and its allies prepare for war, local humanitarian groups are getting ready for what comes afterwards.

The United Nations estimates war in Iraq could force two million refugees to look for help. Local relief agencies expect to play a pivotal role.

Soozi Redkey from Northwest Medical Teams has an idea what volunteers will see in the camps. "Malnutrition. There'll be some issues of lack of water, overexposure to the elements," she says.

Northwest Medical Teams already has a group of volunteers in Northern Iraq teaching basic child health care. If there is war, more volunteers, including three Seattle area doctors, will head for the refugee camps.

"They have agreed to go," says Redkey. "Northwest Medical Teams, they have the greatest hearts of any volunteer teams in the world. And the fact they're even willing to go is pretty awesome. We go where we're needed, regardless of the politics that are involved. We go where the human condition is desperate, so we can tend to basic human needs."

Locally-based Mercy Corps is also planning its relief effort, which would include food and medical care for the expected millions of refugees.

And Federal Way-based World Vision is putting family survival kits together, including blankets, food and pots and pans.

An advance team in Amman, Jordan is getting the kits in place, despite the dangers.

We spoke with one of the team members, Amy Turner, on the phone. She explains that people rely on programs for food already. If the infrastructure that's barely hanging on crumbles, "what will people do?" she asks.

"World Vision's commitment is to reach the poorest of the poor, the neediest of the needy, wherever they are and regardless of the situation," explains Turner. "Right now, the situation seems to demand that we're here and that we meet the needs that we can."

And other humanitarian workers are poised and ready to go. They know that no matter who wins or loses a war - it's what happens afterwards that will matter most for the Iraqi people.

For More Information:

All three agencies are seeking donations to help with the relief effort. Here's how you can contact them:

Northwest Medical Teams -- www.nwmedicalteams.org, (800) 959-HEAL

World Vision -- www.worldvision.org, (888) 56-CHILD.

Mercy Corps -- www.mercycorps.org, (800) 852-2100.

Monday, Feb. 24, ABC's Nightline will take an in-depth look at the role private relief agencies will play if the U.S. goes to war. That airs at 11:35 p.m. on KOMO 4.

For more information there -- www.abcnews.com

Weather & Traffic

Icon
Current Temp 59.0 °F
A Few Clouds
More Weather

Weather & Traffic

More Weather

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Stay Connected

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Marketplace