| This is a press release from the International Red Cross Iraq crisis: Federation launches appeal The International Federation has appealed for 111 million Swiss francs to assist at least 305,000 people who may be forced to flee conflict in Iraq. http://www.ifrc.org/ Iraq – the International Federation appeals for 111 million Swiss francs to assist 305,000 people 20 March 2003 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing today for 111 million Swiss francs (US$ 80 million) to assist at least 305,000 people who may be forced to flee a conflict in Iraq. The appeal is being made on behalf of the Red Crescent Societies in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria and Turkey. "We are deeply saddened by the fact that a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis has not been possible and we are particularly concerned about the impact of such a conflict on the population," said Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro, president of the International Federation. "Millions of Iraqis are living precariously as a result of twelve years of sanctions, especially the children, too young and too frail to resist more deprivation. We call upon the international community to help us bring vital help to those who need it most," said Suárez del Toro. The funds will be used to provide shelter, health care services, food, water and other basic necessities to vulnerable families in Iraq and to refugees in Iran, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. They include costs for the contingency planning that has been put in place since October 2002 by the Red Crescent Societies of these countries, should large population movements occur. With support from the Federation, Red Crescent Societies are prepared to assist potential refugees and displaced people as follows: 55,000 people inside Iraq, 100,000 in Iran, 25,000 people in Jordan, 25,000 people in Syria and 80,000 people in Turkey. The Kuwait Red Crescent is also on stand-by for any emergency. Relief items for an additional 20,000 people are available from Federation regional stocks, in Dubai. Preparedness has included prepositioning of emergency relief items (including tents, blankets, jerry cans, lamps, stoves and heaters), and the training of hundreds of Red Crescent staff and volunteers in camp management and relief coordination. Red Crescent camp sites are being prepared to shelter refugees in Iran (10 camps), Jordan (1 camp), Syria (1 camp) and Turkey (6 camps). "Some 30 emergency response units are ready to provide essential assistance in the form of health care, through field hospitals and clinics as well as access to clean water, through specialized water and sanitation equipment and teams," explains Didier Cherpitel, secretary general of the International Federation. "This all has a cost," says Cherpitel. "Since preparations began five months ago in Iraq and the neighbouring countries, the Federation has committed 6.3 million Swiss francs but has received pledges for only 2.2 million." This appeal represents estimated costs for nine months of operation, including the contingency phase, as well as three months of emergency relief operation and six months of rehabilitation. It could be revised, as a changing situation and needs dictate. Related links 20/03/03 - Emergency appeal: Iraq and neighbouring countires: humanitarian crisis Special page on the humanitarian crisis in Iraq Make a donation For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Denis McClean, Head, Media Service - Tel: + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 217 33 57 Marie-Françoise Borel, Press officer - Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 41 79 217 33 45 Media Service Duty Phone - Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 178 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Let’s help clean up the damage left behind by U.S. bombs. www.CIVICworldwide.org There are innocent victims in conflict. |
| Replies page 2 Some table manners. How to change a florescent light bulb. A few things we can do to save energy in our everyday life. What natural forest and glaciers do for us. Some consequences of war. FROM: Bahman azarm01@opline.com ------------------ A positive attitude -- Amanda, London >>>>>>>>> See Pat Harris' brochure |
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| What should be "continuing education" for every person? Or at least "what should we consider for our continuing education?" The Sunday edition of the New York Times $5 a week x 52 = $260 a year. (in 2005) Cheaper: the select edition online of the NYtimes http://www.nytimes.com/products /timesselect/opedcolumnists.html $50 a year in 2005 Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life. "Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life." I reflected on what Michael said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied. "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be-born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live." "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Michael continued, " The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, "he's a dead man. I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. You have two choices now: 1. Delete this. 2. Forward it to the people you care. You know the choice I made. |