How have recent events affected Iraqi children?
Jon: The biggest problem is that millions of Iraqi children are out of school and unable to participate in normal activities. Because of this, most children lack the means to become productive members of society. Researchers estimate that out of 26 million people, 61% are under the age of 24, 50% are under 18, and 40% are under 14 years old. Another study found that under Saddam Hussein nearly 4% of Iraqi children under five were going hungry, but in 2006 that figure doubled to 8%. In terms of education and opportunity, over 3.4 million young people in Iraq today do not attend school. Recent numbers released by the Iraqi Ministry of Education show that the percentage of children attending school dropped dramatically from 75% in 2005 to 30% in 2006. To further complicate the situation, a research team that interviewed more than 1,000 Iraqi children countrywide found that much of Iraq’s youth population suffers from serious mental health problems as a result of the violence. The report f
