IRAQCHILD APPEAL

Early day motion 1184, tabled 21 March 2007 by David Anderson (Labour). Signed by 50 members.

That this House notes that almost half of Iraq's total population is under 18 years and is particularly vulnerable to violence, abandoned ordnance, displacement, sectarianism and lack of medical treatment due to the flight of medical professionals; further notes that 818,000 children, 22.2 per cent. of the total number of students, are unable to attend school due to security concerns or in order to work to supplement the family income; believes that assisting Iraqi children is vital because they are the future of the country; applauds the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local humanitarian groups in difficult security circumstances; and welcomes the initiative of the London-based Iraqi Association, in consultation with local NGOs and other medical staff in Iraq, to establish the IraqChild Appeal, whose emergency appeal target is £250,000 and whose main goal is to provide help and assistance to Iraqi children through spreading public awareness of their needs and by providing aid and welfare protection, emergency aid and psychosocial treatment through local NGOs as well as the development of creative children's activities aimed at uniting children who have been driven apart because of sectarian violence and hate.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.