It's about the number of deaths that would have been prevented if sanctions were not in place. So many medicines did not reach those who needed them, due to snactions and therefore people died that wouldn't have died without sanctions. And I believe a lot more dirty water being drunk because chemicals needed in water purification are withheld. And it is a silly argument to say that people survived before the industrial revolution, because prior to the industrial revolution there was a much higher mortality rate than today - ie many people *didn't* survive. And maybe in byegone days, most countries had a strong agricultural base, so that the country could survive on what it produced, but in these days of free trade countries are encouraged to produce only what they are best and cheapest at producing and import the rest from elsewhere. Under these circumstances, the agricultural skills, personnel and even land are lost and you can't just suddenly go back to being self sufficient.

I'm writing this off the top of my head, but I am sure their are many sources (eg UNICEF) can give you a more detailed breakdown of the causes of these deaths and the reasons for their occurrence.

bagpuss