From: Fredy Champagne
Subject: Iraq Water Project Launch
To all who have expressed an interest in going to Iraq with us: We are close to receiving our final approval and permission from the Iraqi Government and our US Treasury License. I'm enclosing a 3-page summary of the project. We are about to launch our press conference and fund-raising campaign. Our new color brochures are being printed. Our website will be up soon. Want to help? Are you seriously interested?
IRAQ WATER PROJECT - Summary of Current Proposal
SUMMARY: In response to the continuing crisis in Iraq due to the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, Veterans for Peace members in Northern California have initiated a project proposal aimed at improving the quality of water supply. Members of VFP intend to travel to Iraq and begin the hands-on work to restore clean and filter water to small villages.
PROBLEM: The economic sanctions are killing nearly 6000 persons per month in Iraq as we speak. Many of these deaths can be prevented with adequate supplies of clean and filtered water. Many water treatment plants have been rendered inoperable by the continued bombing campaign. In addition, the delivery system of pipes, pumps and valves have been damaged allowing untreated water to enter the delivery system. The Iraqi government is being prevented from importing the pipes, equipment and fittings as supplies necessary to improve the situation.
PROPOSAL: Veterans for Peace proposes to send a team of veterans and activists to Iraq to begin the process rebuilding the water treatment facilities. VFP cannot do this alone. VFP proposes to "begin" this process of rebuilding Iraq's water treatment facilities in hopes that we can inspire other organizations to join with us in a coalition to complete this work.
RESULTS EXPECTED: Veterans for Peace proposes to lead the first teams of veterans back into Iraq. As American veterans working to help ease Iraqi suffering with hand's on work in Iraq, we would naturally receive a great deal of publicity in the US press. We would hope to call the attention of the American public to this problem, and join in the world-wide movement to end the sanctions. It is up to us, here in the heart of the beast, to stop the US government from continuing these cruel sanctions.
HISTORY: Veterans for Peace has a strong history of helping and supporting projects in Viet Nam, Cuba, Laos, Chiapas, El Salvador, Bosnia and Nicaragua. Veterans for Peace has called for the lifting of the sanctions, and this project will add weight and deed to words.
INTRODUCTION
In Iraq there are actually 188 water treatment facilities/centers/plants. Towards the south, near Basrah, is where we all know the greatest need lies.
Southeast of the Basrah city proper, and lying right next to the Iranian border, is a suburb called "Abul Khaseeb." This suburb, or "district", is home to roughly 145,000 people and utilizes 7 of the aforementioned 188 treatment plants. Of those 7, none are operating even remotely well. However, 3 are presently being fixed by outside agencies. This will improve things dramatically for slightly more than half the population.
The 4 remaining plants, of which there are no plans for restoration, serve a population of 66,000-70,000 people, most of whom are workers, date farmers, and fishing industry employees. No doubt you can guess that this population has been devastated by two wars (Iran and the U.S.) as well as sanctions. This is a high, need area. There's no sewage treatment, no water treatment.
THE FOUR PLANTS
1. Labbani
A medium to large-sized facility serving at least 55,000 people. For PR purposes, the sheer number of populace served could be instrumental to our success. However, here the water is partially treated, whereas the other 3 have no treatment at all (forget drinking, the water isn't even fit for bathing at the other 3-just laundry). What that means is that while people are getting sick from the water, few, if any, are dying from it.
2. Hamden Bridge
Services at least 3,000. PR-wise, 3,000 is nothing, but there is a huge, need here. The suffering is immense.
3. Hamden Ballad
Same as above-3,000 served and high need. Also, this is right next to a schoolyard. While we were inspecting the facility, kids frequently came over to drink the water running from a loose pipe.
4. Nahar-Khooz
Interesting site. This community was isolated in a somewhat remote spot so that the 5,000 residents could be right next to the fertilizer factory where they worked. The company built the water facility. However, in 1991 the plant was bombed during the Gulf war and has never been rebuilt.
FUND-RAISING PLAN FOR IRAQ WATER PROJECT Abul Khasib Valley, SE of Basrah
Anticipated budget for the Iraq Water Project is as follows: $98,000. Below you will see the four water treatment plants with a breakdown of each plant's cost of renovation.
Nahar-Khooz (5,000 persons) Total cost: $23,000
Repair $18,000
New generator $2,500
Maintenance for est. 10 year period $2,500
Hamden Bridge (3,000 persons) Total cost: $20,000
Repair $12,500
New generator $5,000
Maintenance for est. 10 year period $2,500
Hamden Balad ("town" 3,000 persons) Total cost: $20,000
Repair $12,500
New generator $5,000
Maintenance for est. 10 year period $2,500
Labbani Treatment facility (55,000persons) Total cost: $35,000.
Repair $30,000
Repairs to existing generator $2,500
Maintenance for est. 10 year period $2,500
The challenge for Veterans for Peace, Inc. is to raise a total of $98,000 or more within the next 12-18 months. It is anticipated that these funds will be raised with a combination of grants, and donations.
In general, the project should be sub-divided into two smaller projects. First, to complete the Labanni Plant renovations, serving the largest number of people with clean drinking water. The second phase would involve the three smaller treatment facilities.
Foundations are expected to contribute to this series of projects. It is hoped that a major foundation will help us with one or more of the water treatment plants. Perhaps the Labbani plant ($35,000) can be funded by one major foundation, or a combination of two or three foundations. It could be 6-9 months before these grants can be prepared and approved and funds released.
We've been asked: "Where in the budget is the airfare"? Sorry, not here. Each veteran or delegate team member that travels to Iraq as part of our projects, will pay their own expenses. Each team member would beauthorized to raise his/her own funds to participate and thereby,support themselves. In addition, each team member would contribute to a trip fund to cover all expenses such as food, lodging, transportation, etc.
There are many ways to help. As you saw in our summary, we need to raise $36,000 for our first project, the Labanni plant. We can do this, but obviously, we will need a lot of help. We, the IWP Committee, will be responsible for raising these funds. But we will need coordinators in most major cities to help us with the following:
Help us publicize the project with the local media in your area.
Help us outreach to all Peace and Justice organizations in your area,including veterans groups, Muslim or other faith religious groups,humanitarian groups, etc. We need our information spread on theirmailinglists, and we'd like to get other organizations to put on an event for us as a fund-raiser.
Help us find Gulf War Veterans willing to go with us on our first team. We have several volunteers already, from the Viet Nam war and Korea and WWII. We need the Gulf War Veterans to front our team and "lead" our team back into Iraq. We'll have more media impact if there are more Gulf War Vets. Therefore, can you find us any, even one, that can be sent from your area.
Other organizers around the country will try and do the same in each area we are represented.
And of course, you are invited to go. We have not yet limited ourselves, and think that the larger the delegation, the better. If you cannot go, we would still love to have your help.
Are you an organizer? Are you a fund-raiser? Do you have your own mailing list of Iraq Supporters? Do you have time and desire to pump out our material on the net to everyone we can get our copy to?
All help appreciated.
Fredy Champagne fchampagne@humboldt.net
Co-Chair, Iraq Water Project
Ph/Fax 707.943.1874
Member Board of Directors Veterans for Peace