Afghanistan
This landlocked country with a population of approximately 30 million is one of the poorest in the world. After decades of conflict, the economy is showing signs of improving. It is a country with one of the highest number of landmines. The literacy rate for adults is less than 30%. Life expectancy is less than 45 years. 42% of the population is aged 14 and under. There are over two million war widows, and as a result, children often become the breadwinners for the family.
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West Bank and Gaza
Gaza
The population of Gaza is estimated at 1.5 million people living within 225sqkm. Unemployment is in excess of 90%. 90% of people are living below the poverty line. 43.9% of the population is aged 14 and under. The median age is 17.7 (The U.S.A. median is 36.9 - CIA 2011).
The current embargo has made building materials scarce and expensive. In April 2009, with a solid partnership with SOS Children's Village in Gaza, a playground was built within two months by local people with local recycled materials, creating local jobs, dignity and a play area for more than 1,000 orphans within the midst of the ruins of war.
West Bank
The population of the West Bank is estimated at 2.5 million people. In addition to this, there are approximately 400,000 Israeli settlers living throughout the West Bank. 35% of Palestinians in the West Bank are living below the poverty line. Over 700,000 are listed as refugees. 35.8% of the population is aged 14 and under. The median age is 21.3 (the Canadian median is 41).
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Iraq
The population of Iraq is estimated at 30 million of which 38% are aged 14 and under. The median age is 21 years. In January 2008, the World Health Organization reported that 151,000 civilians were killed from March 2003 to June 2006 during the US led coalition invasion. Two million people fled as refugees, and internally displaced people are estimated at 2 million.
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