Just a few short weeks ago, America witnessed the 10th anniversary of the first days of the Gulf War with Iraq. The war is no longer a national crisis, but its effects continue to plague the people of Kurdistan, a mountainous region which stretches across parts of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. In an outreach of humanitarian aid, a book collection for their universities and medical schools has been established.
Before the Gulf War even began, the Kurds were being devastated by Saddam Hussein’s central Iraq government. A number of their villages were completely destroyed in chemical weapons strikes, killing many people and maiming others. The region is now in serious need of better healthcare for its people, some who are just beginning to show the aftereffects of the chemical attacks. Cancers, degenerative neural disorders, and an increasing number of miscarriages are a few of the more drastic problems.
On top of these medical maladies, the region is under both internal and external embargoes. Central Iraq does not provide any aid to the Kurds, and yet outside nations recognize it as a part of Iraq and do little to help as well. Kurdistan is an unrecognized nation cut off from the rest of the world by politics.
Recently a delegation of Kurdish physicians visited ETSU in hopes of exchanging ideas to better improve their health care. They especially requested books concerning such subjects as project/organization management and planning and media coverage of such projects; Web site design and maintenance; computer science and networking; working with the elderly, juvenile justice and children; fundraising; research surveying and data analysis; writing proposals; early childhood or higher education; staff management; human relations; handcrafts; public policy making; international relations; marketing; and inter-institutional relations such as partnerships and coalitions.
The book collection is being coordinated by Dr. Jean Haskell, director of the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, and John D. Whisman Appalachian scholar for the Appalachian Regional Commission, and students in the University Honors Program.
Shipping costs are being provided by the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C. Books can be dropped off at the Appalachian Studies office, located in room 209 of Warf-Pickel Hall, or the SGA office on the first floor of the Culp Center. For more information, please call the center office at 423/439-5438 or e-mail to CASS@etsu.edu.
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