Afghanistan
This landlocked country with a population of approximately 28 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. 44% 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 a 225 sq/km area. Unemployment is in excess of 90% and 90% of people are living below the poverty line. 47.6% of the population is aged 14 and under. The median age is 16 (the U.S.A. median is 36.6). The current embargo has made building materials scarce and expensive. As a result, our Playground program in Gaza has been postponed.
West Bank
The population of the West Bank is estimated at 2.5 million people. In addition to this, there are approximately 350,000 Israeli settlers living throughout the West Bank. 46% of Palestinians in the West Bank are living below the poverty line. Over 700,000 are listed as refugees. 42% of the population is aged 14 and under. The median age is 18.5 (the Canadian median is 39).
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Iraq
The population of Iraq is estimated at 27 million of which 39.4% are aged 14 and under. The median age is 20 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.
UNICEF reports that sanctions imposed in 1990 resulted in 1.3 million deaths of which 600,000 were children. One in three families are now headed by women. Fewer than 20 years ago, Iraq was reported to be the most literate country in the Middle East. More recently, a census taken in 2004 showed only a 30% school enrolment. Many children have had to withdraw from school to work and support their families.
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