Children continue to pay the price of Middle East wars

Children are bearing the brunt of conflicts in the Middle East, a reader says. Other topics: birth celebrations, Gaza bomb squad, Erdogan duty, cord blood and Israeli targets.

Child refugees, such as these Yazidis, too often end up bearing the brunt of conflict, a reader says. Photo: Ari Jalal / Reuters

Your report, 500 Yazidis killed by Islamic State: Iraq MP (August 11), reflects the way continuing unrest in the Middle East is having serious and enduring psychological effects on children.

This is not just the civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq, although that is one of the biggest humanitarian crises the region is facing.

It also includes Gaza, which continues to be a nightmare despite temporary ceasefires that offer little relief to the suffering. Civilians there are under enormous stress.

I find it disgusting to see the struggles of ordinary people who are trapped in what seems like a never-ending battle.

The international community must no longer tolerate the increasing incidence of this kind of brutality. It is time to show these people we have the commitment to end their suffering.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Birth extravagance ‘an absolute waste’

With regard to your story, Start your child's life with extravagance (August 13), while it is natural for parents and relatives to rejoice and celebrate the birth of a child, spending lavishly just to decorate the hospital suite is, in my opinion, an absolute waste of money.

Should those who have been blessed with sufficient finances and who approve of this concept be discouraged from spending lavishly?

To me, the money could be put to better use for the child in future instead of being spent on decorations that only last a few hours or possibly days.

At the end of the day it is all about our personal choice.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Will the child remember its first days in hospital? They should donate the money instead to a children’s charity.

Dominique Levett, Abu Dhabi

Tragedy of bomb squad deaths

The news that Gaza's bomb disposal experts were killed while trying to defuse an Israeli shell (Palestinian bomb-disposal expert killed on the job, August 14) was terribly sad to read.

They did a very wonderful job and died for it. My thoughts are with their family and friends. I hope these men rest in peace.

Brigitte Von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Erdogan must live up to responsibility

Piotr Zalewski's opinion article, Elected president, Erdogan to rule Turkey as 21st century sultan (August 10) reflected dramatic developments in Turkish politics.

Mr Erdogan is a controversial politician who has been bestowed with this responsibility.

I hope he is not only able to deliver better standards of administration but is also able to create good bilateral relationships in the region.

K Ragavan, United States

Mothers not given cord blood option

With regard to your article, Mothers in UAE urged to donate cord blood to help save lives (August 12), when I had my baby in Dubai in 2007, I was told I could only send cord blood to be stored in the UK for a cost of $10,000 (Dh36,729) for us to have as backup for use for my son if needed.

We are still living in the UAE and this article is the first time I have ever heard of the option of donating cord blood.

Sepideh Nobar-Traboulsi, Dubai

When I had my baby in Abu Dhabi I was told that cord-blood donation was not possible.

I was only given the option to store it for my own personal use.

Andrea Stewart, Abu Dhabi

We have to listen to moderate voices

I read Rym Ghazal's article, In the cafes, the talk is all about wanting an end to war (August 14) and as a long time UAE resident from Holland, it spurred me to write my first ever letter to the editor.

I completely agree with her point that while extreme views are repeated in the mainstream media and in social media, there are still moderate voices that can be heard in places like cafes.

I have followed this news from all sides and it is so sad. What can be done about those evil people in power who have no compassion but who rule the world?

Lida Hoekstra, Dubai

Unacceptable to target footballers

Your editorial, Attack on Palestinian football players is part of Israel's larger game plan (August 14), reflects an intolerable situation.

The death of Ahed Zaqqut in an Israeli military strike this month was politically motivated and is completely unacceptable.

Nobody should be targeted simply for playing games.

Name withheld by request