Perhaps we can't save the children

The last remaining major British charity working in Iraq, Save the Children, has been forced to pull out of the country after fifteen years due to a lack of security. The organisation has done considerable work in the repair and refit of schools and hospitals. Paul Roberts, programme director for Iraq said:

"It was not an easy decision but it became more and more difficult for staff to get around all parts of the country...It's been hard to keep track of local partners' day to day work and their safety has been jeopardised. In practical terms it just became impossible...The main focus in Iraq is around conflict and 'terrorism' but sadly that masks a huge humanitarian issue that's arising. Children can't go to school, there are problems accessing clean water."

Sometimes it is enough to make one just want to weep.