She is an exceptionally capable individual who was engaged in a nationwide effort to reduce infection among women giving birth. Her work saved thousands of lives.
Now she is gone. I have word she arrived in Istanbul three days ago.
I'm so sorry for Iraq and so relieved for her.
If anyone has ideas or the ability to help get her to the U.S. or Canada, please let me know. I have arranged for her to enter a Master's program in Public Health (where she could probably teach!), that will give her a Western supplement to her already impressive medical background -- she is an MD with specialized post-med school training. Here is her letter to me two weeks ago:
My Dear Roadette,
For the last two years, the street safety in Baghdad has been dropped into zero level. The gross security may have been improved where the heavily armed vehicles belonging to the MNF or to the Iraqi government experienced since March 2007 75% less IED. Regular unarmed people (more than 90% of the Iraqis) still have a great concern when they use the streets heading to work, schools, business, or home. Especially the women find themselves as easy target to Al Qaeda, Mahdi Army, and tens of other militant groups of killing and kidnapping.
Last Tuesday, I found a text message in my cell phone mail box. The anonymous sender threatened me with death if I don't leave the Ministry of Health. This wasn't the first letter of threatening but it was written in a very cruel and frank language. Besides a couple of insulting phrases, the person who sent the letter told me in a plain language that I am a Sunni woman coming from a Sunni Province Mosul and I should go home or!
Every time I get such a letter I ask my family and friends to advise me, and every time I got the same answer: "Go back to Mosul, or leave the country, since my home province Mosul is not better than Baghdad in safety!". Therefore, I decided finally to leave Iraq! My target is Turkey since no Arab country issues Visas for Iraqis! In Turkey, there is a UN center for refugees. I plan to apply for refuge in USA, Europe, or Canada. Of course, I would prefer the United States due to my good professional experience with US representatives after the liberation 2003. I think the UN refugee Center will help me better if I tell them with document that I worked with Americans and representatives of the WHO.
There, my good American friend you could help me a lot if you would write a letter "To Whom it May Concern" identifying that I worked with you and was cooperative with the US administration in Iraq. The letter can be written, signed, and scanned. Please, email it as attachment on this email. In less than two weeks, I have to leave!
Thank you very much in advance.
With my love and best wishes,
Susa