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News Archive |
LAST UPDATE
November 16, 2005
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| November 15, 2005 |
Wheelchair Donation Welcomed in Iraq |
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| Wheelchairs are loaded for the final leg of their journey |
67 used wheelchairs were unloaded from Peace Boat’s TSS the Topaz onto the docks at Aqaba, Jordan for shipment overland to Baghdad as part of an ongoing campaign that has already seen medical equipment and blankets successfully donated to Fallujah General Hospital, to support Iraqi citizens suffering from the war and military occupation. |
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| A truck carrying the donated wheelchairs makes its way toward Baghdad |
The project was carried out in cooperation with Peace Boat partners in Iraq Dr. Waqar Abdul Qahar, a medical doctor and university professor, and Fadi Sami, a young company employee. After joining Peace Boat's 49th Voyage from Yokohama to Japan as guest speakers, the two coordinated the difficult transportation of the wheel chairs from the port at Aqaba, Jordan, to Baghdad, Iraq. Please see the following links to full reports about their lectures onboard:
The Reality of Life in Occupied Iraq – Dr. Waqar Abdul Qahar and Mr. Fadi Sami
The Deterioration of Healthcare in Occupied Iraq – Dr. Waqar Abdul Qahar |
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| Young children try out the wheelchairs |
The final recipient of the wheelchairs was Mr. Ahmad Al-Qaisy, chief of the Human Rights Department of a major Baghdad mosque. Distribution of the wheelchairs took place on July 20, 2005 by Dr. Waqar, Mr. Fadi, and Ahmad Al-Qaisy. Hopeful recipients far outnumbered the 67 donated wheelchairs, which were handed out to those deemed most needy. Wheelchairs cost around $100 each if bought second-hand in Iraq, far beyond reach of most war-ravaged families
The wheelchairs, donated from individuals and welfare facilities in Japan, had been collected by volunteers from Peace Boat’s United People’s Alliance (UPA) project team over a two month period and transported over 12,000 km by Peace Boat. Peace Boat and the UPA team is continuing its campaign in Iraq and hoping to send more supplies in the future to support Iraqi citizens. |
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