Iraq humanitarian situation "most critical in the world"
Monday, 17 Mar 2008 17:00
Lack of healthcare and overall humanitarian situation in Iraq "most critical in the world" – Red Cross
Iraq In Focus
Turmoil in Iraq has dominated news headlines since Saddam Hussein's statue toppled in Baghdad nearly four years ago. Full Story
Millions of Iraqis have no access to basic public services such as healthcare and clean water, a report said Monday.
Five years after a US-led coalition toppled Saddam Hussein's regime, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says Iraq's humanitarian situation is the "most critical in the world".
According to the ICRC, the country's population is being barred access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare, a situation being exacerbated by half a decade of armed conflicts.
Although the ICRC acknowledges security has improved in parts of Iraq, its report states residents are being killed or injured "on a daily basis".
"Better security in some parts of Iraq must not distract attention from the continuing plight of millions of people who have essentially been left to their own devices," said the organisation's head of operations for Middle East and North Africa, Beatrice Megevand Roggo, said:
"Among them are displaced and refugee families, and those who have returned to their homes, children, elderly people, disabled people, households headed by women and families of detainees."
The ICRC says healthcare, water and sanitation services, as well as electricity supplies, remain "largely inadequate" after 12 months of deteriorating water supplies.
Millions of Iraqis rely on insufficient poor quality water, Ms Megevand Roggo explained.
"To avert an even worse crisis, more attention must be paid to the everyday needs of Iraqis," she said.
"Everyone should have regular access to healthcare, electricity, clean water and sanitation."
Last week a leaked Home Office document showed the British government regarded large parts of Iraq safe for asylum seekers to return to.
Thursday March 20th 2008 will mark the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Some estimates claim more than one million civilians have died since then in ethno-sectarian violence.
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