“Almost a month after the outbreak of armed clashes pitting Coalition and Iraqi forces against the Mehdi Army, the situation in Sadr City, in eastern Baghdad, is putting further strain on the civilian population,” says Patrick Youssef, head of the sub-delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Baghdad. “The clashes that began on 25 March did not let up until they eased briefly on 12 April. However, the lull in the fighting did not give the population enough time to stock up on food and water or to seek appropriate medical care.”

Al Jamila market, one of the largest in Sadr City, was severely damaged by the fighting. The market used to provide enough supplies to cover everyday needs in Sadr City. People are now short of food, especially as prices of fresh vegetables have increased considerably.

According to ICRC staff in Baghdad, who are in permanent contact with hospitals and health officials, several hospitals have exhausted their stocks of medical supplies as a result of the ongoing fighting.

The ICRC has had difficulty transporting food and medicines where they are needed because of the ongoing fighting.

ICRC assistance in Sadr City

Earlier today the ICRC managed to distribute some three tonnes of medical items to Sadr City General Hospital, Al Imam Ali General Hospital and Ibn Al Baldi Paediatric Hospital in Sadr City. The items included equipment for intravenous infusion, injection and dressing materials, and anaesthetics.

The ICRC also delivered 24,000 food tins to cover the needs of around 1,000 families for one week. The tins contained ready-made meals of beef, lamb, chicken and rice.

On 20 March, the ICRC delivered 700 food parcels containing enough oil, sugar, salt, beans and rice to last a family two weeks, 25 tonnes of rice and 700 hygiene kits to the Social Committee of Sadr Office, which then distributed the items to needy families in Sadr City.

The ICRC continues to transport nearly 10,000 litres of drinking water to Sadr City every day.

Elsewhere in Baghdad

The ICRC delivered 350 family food parcels, 1,750 blankets and 350 hygiene kits to families in the western Baghdad neighbourhoods of Al Amirya and Hay Al Adel today.

Between 17 and 19 April, the ICRC distributed 400 family food parcels, 2,000 blankets and 400 hygiene kits to families in Al Adamyah and Taji, west of Baghdad.

The ICRC is committed to pursuing its efforts to bring aid to the people of Sadr City and other areas affected by the conflict.