Iraq: Thousands of displaced people received aid in the war-torn western Ramadi
Baghdad/Geneva (ICRC) ¨C ICRC staff today handed out aid to more than 12,000 displaced people in western Iraq¡¯s western part of Ramadi, who fled the war from the nearby city of Hit Come here and live on conditions that are almost desperate.
The head of the ICRC¡¯s Ramadi office responsible for the distribution of relief supplies, Malek Baklouti, stated: ¡°We drove through the city of Ramadi and saw unprecedented levels of damage. We have never been in Iraq yet. I have seen such a scene."
Katrina Linz, head of the Iraqi delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross said: "We are also deeply worried about the thousands of people who have fled to remote desert areas. They are basically unable to obtain food, water or medical services. In order to quickly assist those in urgent need of assistance, regular humanitarian access is essential."
Last week, the ICRC overcame considerable difficulties and distributed aid to another group of more than 12,000 people who were stranded in the 18 km (Kilo 18) area west of Ramadi. Bakrouti added: "The roads in the west of Ramadi City are very dangerous. Most roads have a lot of unexploded munitions and improvised explosive devices."
The ICRC¡¯s recent outreach mission to Ramadi was to send aid to remote communities severely affected by the conflict in May 2015. In 2015, the organization provided food and other assistance to more than 1.35 million displaced people in Iraq, including 200,000 people from Ramadi and Fallujah.
The head of the ICRC¡¯s Ramadi office responsible for the distribution of relief supplies, Malek Baklouti, stated: ¡°We drove through the city of Ramadi and saw unprecedented levels of damage. We have never been in Iraq yet. I have seen such a scene."
Katrina Linz, head of the Iraqi delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross said: "We are also deeply worried about the thousands of people who have fled to remote desert areas. They are basically unable to obtain food, water or medical services. In order to quickly assist those in urgent need of assistance, regular humanitarian access is essential."
Last week, the ICRC overcame considerable difficulties and distributed aid to another group of more than 12,000 people who were stranded in the 18 km (Kilo 18) area west of Ramadi. Bakrouti added: "The roads in the west of Ramadi City are very dangerous. Most roads have a lot of unexploded munitions and improvised explosive devices."
The ICRC¡¯s recent outreach mission to Ramadi was to send aid to remote communities severely affected by the conflict in May 2015. In 2015, the organization provided food and other assistance to more than 1.35 million displaced people in Iraq, including 200,000 people from Ramadi and Fallujah.