Day: 10 July 2017

Responding to an announcement by the Iraqi Security Forces on 9th July 2017 that they have retaken the city of Mosul from ISIS, Oxfam’s Country Director in Iraq, Andres Gonzalez said:

‘The retaking of Mosul will no doubt inspire hope among many Iraqis: hope that they can return home, rebuild their lives, and heal the divisions within their society. But these hopes will not be realised quickly or easily. Mosul residents continue to face severe risks from revenge attacks and explosives, and a lack of clean water, healthcare, and other basic services.

‘The people of Mosul have already suffered enough and now families may try to return home before it is safe to do so. Those men, women and children returning to Mosul must be supported with adequate information, guarantees of security, aid from humanitarian agencies, and access to social services.

‘As Mosul rebuilds, all its residents must enjoy the same rights and opportunities – whatever their gender, religion, or ethnic or tribal affiliation. In particular, Mosul residents must not face discrimination or punishment because of family links to ISIS fighters.

‘As the military offensives to retake the cities of Hawija and Tal Afar continue in the coming months, we expect to see even more civilians forced from their homes. The government of Iraq and the international community must not forget these families, who will also need life-saving aid and protection.’

Reacting to the outcome of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Steve Price-Thomas, Oxfam International’s director of advocacy and campaigns, said:

“When looking at the outcomes of the Hamburg summit, we have to ask: ‘what did the G20 do to help the world’s poorest people?’

“Sadly, the answer is ‘not much.’ The needs of the poorest were an afterthought. Despite the anger of many on the streets at the growing divide between the rich and poor, the G20 could only muster a tepid set of policies to tackle poverty and inequality.

“For example- for the G20 to support a ‘blacklist’ of tax havens that lists just one country is breathtaking, and shows just how low the bar is for them to claim success. Corporate tax dodging siphons billions from government coffers and leaves health and education budgets dry.

“Famine is the most brutal expression of poverty. While we’re pleased the United States has joined the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany in having made substantial commitments towards emergency relief for the ‘Four Famines,’ there’s still a massive humanitarian funding gap left to fill. Furthermore, the conflicts at the root of some of the crises haven’t even been discussed in earnest by this group.”

“Instead, leaders discussed the ‘Compact with Africa,’ an initiative which rests on the dangerously naive assumption that boosting private investment will automatically help the poorest in the continent. If left unchecked, the Compact might simply line the pockets of wealthy foreign investors.

“With the other 19 members firmly defending the Paris Agreement as ‘irreversible,’ President Trump’s stubborn insistence on propping up the fossil fuel industry leaves him isolated and stuck in the past.”

Archives for July 10, 2017