Iraq: Bringing urgently needed help to civilians in Fallujah

28-01-2014 News Release 14/17

Baghdad (ICRC) – Thousands of people in Anbar province have been forced by the recent wave of violence to flee their homes, sometimes for other cities, in search of safety. People who have decided to stay put often face harsh conditions and lack basic necessities. In the past four days, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has delivered vital aid to more than 3,000 people in the centre of Fallujah.

"Fallujah is deserted yet not abandoned. The humanitarian situation is dire. People are moving about inside the city in search of a safe haven. Children cannot go to school anymore. The city lacks basic goods such as food and milk formulas for babies, and hospitals are unable to cope with the large number of wounded patients," said Majda Flihi, the ICRC staff member who led the mission to Fallujah. "In the past few days we have distributed aid to some of the people who, for one reason or another, decided to stay in the city but had to flee their homes because of the fighting. But more help is needed as soon as possible."

Food, blankets, hygiene products, kitchen sets and other items were distributed to displaced residents of Fallujah, who have been caught up in the violence for weeks. More food will reach Fallujah in the coming days.

The ICRC is reiterating its call to all the parties in Fallujah and elsewhere in Anbar province to spare civilians and to allow medical personnel to carry out their duties in safety.

Since the most recent upsurge of violence began in Anbar on 30 December, the ICRC has delivered vitally important supplies in the areas of Salaheddin, Karbala, Babel, Ramadi and Fallujah to more than 20,000 people who had to flee their homes.

ENDS

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