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Humanitarian Aid Group Critical of U.S. Milit
Nicholas DeTorrente, executive director of Doctors Without Borders' U.S. office, critically assesses the Afghan refugee crisis and the Bush administration's decision to air drop military food rations over Afghanistan.
Humanitarian Aid Group Critical of U.S. Military Food Drops During Bombing of Afghanistan
Interview by Between the Lines' Scott Harris.
Even before the Sept.11 terror attacks against New York and Washington, D.C., Afghan refugees were fleeing that nation's cities as a result of drought conditions, ongoing warfare and repression at the hands of the Taliban government. Now, with the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan entering its third week, tens of thousands of refugees are headed toward border areas with Iran and Pakistan, where 4 million Afghans have already sought sanctuary.
Exacerbating the crisis is fear among many Afghan civilians after U.S. bombs and missiles struck non-military targets, including an aid agency's food warehouse, a United Nation's compound, an old age home and residential areas. While the number of refugees has not yet risen to worst case scenario estimates, there is concern that with winter approaching, upwards of 7.5 million Afghans will be at risk without adequate food, shelter or medical care. While the bombing continues many aid agencies are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to transport food inside the country.
Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Nicholas DeTorrente, executive director of Doctors Without Borders' U.S. office, who critically assesses the Afghan refugee crisis and the Bush administration's decision to air drop military food rations over Afghanistan(A RealAudio Version of this interview may be found At http://www.btlonline.org).
Doctors Without Borders in the U.S. can be contacted toll free at 1-(888) 392-0392 or visit their Web site http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
To receive Between The Lines Weekly Summary and/or Q&A, email btlsummary-subscribe [at] topica.com and/or btlqa-
subscribe [at] topica.com
Interview by Between the Lines' Scott Harris.
Even before the Sept.11 terror attacks against New York and Washington, D.C., Afghan refugees were fleeing that nation's cities as a result of drought conditions, ongoing warfare and repression at the hands of the Taliban government. Now, with the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan entering its third week, tens of thousands of refugees are headed toward border areas with Iran and Pakistan, where 4 million Afghans have already sought sanctuary.
Exacerbating the crisis is fear among many Afghan civilians after U.S. bombs and missiles struck non-military targets, including an aid agency's food warehouse, a United Nation's compound, an old age home and residential areas. While the number of refugees has not yet risen to worst case scenario estimates, there is concern that with winter approaching, upwards of 7.5 million Afghans will be at risk without adequate food, shelter or medical care. While the bombing continues many aid agencies are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to transport food inside the country.
Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Nicholas DeTorrente, executive director of Doctors Without Borders' U.S. office, who critically assesses the Afghan refugee crisis and the Bush administration's decision to air drop military food rations over Afghanistan(A RealAudio Version of this interview may be found At http://www.btlonline.org).
Doctors Without Borders in the U.S. can be contacted toll free at 1-(888) 392-0392 or visit their Web site http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
To receive Between The Lines Weekly Summary and/or Q&A, email btlsummary-subscribe [at] topica.com and/or btlqa-
subscribe [at] topica.com
For more information:
http://www.wpkn.org/wpkn/news/btl110201.html
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MSF had to shut down all of its medical centers because of taliban coercion, and other NGO's are reporting similar occurences.
even if bombing stops it is too late for land based humanitarian aid. the taliban hate westernes, and are willing to starve their own people if that gets them public relations points.
air dropping food is the only solution left to us. its not perfect, but its all we have
(Given that no one is allowed to know how many have been murdered, since we've bought up the satellite photos, there's no real way to judge if doing anything positive will offset our murder rate with the bombs, but . . . )
I'd propose that BushLaden resigns as president and lets some more intelligent people take over (that encompasses virtually anyone else) - stop the bombs, follow international law, get together a new international coalition based on compassionate humanitarian efforts sans murder (gee, I have to think there'd be a few more involved than just other military states and fake democratic states - duh), and try to figure out a way to open up an intelligent discussion. You know, WORDS?? I sort of doubt the Taliban would make it in the face of love and not hate, from the rest of the world.