In a press release, the organization cautioned that any major military strike will increase civilian suffering, aggravate the "already very vulnerable situation in Iraq, and fuel regional instability."

It stressed that it is estimated that in the event of war, over11 million people will be in immediate need of humanitarian assistance and an estimated 900,000 refugees may seek refuge in neighboring countries.

Chong Chan Yau, executive director of Oxfam Hong Kong, said, "The people of Iraq are still suffering from the effects of bombing during the 1991 Gulf War and 10 years of economic sanctions, another war will have devastating humanitarian consequences.

"We strongly urge world leaders to continue to strive for a peaceful solution to the crisis through the United Nations," he said.

Chong said that results of recent assessment trips made by Oxfam staff in the region show that Iraq is already in the midst of a very grave humanitarian situation -- over 15 million people in Iraq (more than half of the country's 22 million population) are totally dependent on food rations for survival, a consequence of the Gulf War and the economic sanctions.

There is widespread malnutrition across Iraq, with close to one million children under the age of five suffering from chronic malnutrition, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2003)