[Editorial] Time to Help Iraqi People

With the war in Iraq coming to an end, the world was a witness to the disastrous aspects of war captured through the fog of battle. International journalists in Iraq wired various photos that captured the severe hardships the Iraqi people went through, such as the mourning of a family that had lost their father, and the sorrow-filled eyes of a child who lost both arms in a U.S. bombing raid. Looking at these pictures, we feel the pain and sorrow they experienced and will continue to experience in the future.

The Iraqi people will have to face a new war different from the strife they have encountered so far. First, they have to fight starvation. Food and water reserves in Iraq have nearly all dried up, causing more suffering. Hospitals have "collapsed" and are not able to handle the floods of patients. Most hospitals have closed and, if open, will have a tough time due to the sever lack of medicine. Arsons continue and looting is a constant scene throughout the nation.

Our nation should roll up our sleeves to help the Iraqi people, along with the international community. The Roh administration has promised to send 10 million dollars in aid, and some civic groups have volunteered to send medical teams. But this is not enough. We have to assume a more active role.

We are a people who best understand the pain and sorrows caused by war. The Korean War brought about devastation throughout the entire nation. Upon the ashes of war, we succeeded in building it up again with enormous help from the international community. Now, we are the 12th largest economic power in the world. It`s time for us to pay back the favors we received. Our government and the Red Cross should lead the way. In this manner, the international community will better appreciate our sincere intentions to help others in need.

It is well known that Iraqi children suffered from malnutrition even prior to the war. Consumed by chaos, it is impossible, at present, to obtain exact figures about the children. But we can easily imagine how many children have lost their parents in the war, thus becoming orphans. Thinking of them, sorrow and regret fills our hearts. Let`s not forget the innocent eyes of the Iraqi children. We sincerely hope our government actively and wholeheartedly engages in helping out innocent kids who suffered most from this war.