It is important to revisit the social and economic facts underpinning the humanitarian situation in Iraq. In short, Iraq is a nation whose collapse is etched in its social indicators. Iraq's position in the UN Human Development Index, or HDI as it is commonly known, has fallen from 76 in 1990 to 127 in 2001. I cannot think of another country that has fallen so dramatically and so rapidly. In 1990 per capita income was estimated at US$3,500. It is now estimated by some to be US$1,100 and by others to be as low as US$583.