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Aid & Development
Humanitarian situation set to worsen as violence hits south

Statement, International Organization on Migration

Mar 29, 2008

The International Organization on Migration's humanitarian activities in Iraq's southern city of Basra and as well as in other southern governorates have been put on hold as violence and curfew prevent staff and partners from providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs) and vulnerable populations.

Staff report that with the potable water network down in most parts of Basra as well as electricity being shut down, priority needs of the population is water, food and medical supplies for hospitals with the situation expected to deteriorate in the coming days. The suddenness of the crackdown had meant little to no time for people to stock up on essentials.

Some displacement has been reported in two areas - Al Hayaniya and Al Jameyat - although it is not possible as yet to verify or to gauge the scale. However, IOM staff report that most people are nevertheless trapped in their homes.

With either curfews or violence also affecting people in Baghdad's Sadr City and the governorates of Qadissiya, Thi Qar, Missan, Wassit and Babylon where scores of people have so far died and hundreds injured, access to food, water, fuel and medicines is increasingly becoming an issue partly also due to increasing prices.

IOM is taking stock of its emergency food and non-food relief supplies to assist affected populations and IDPs should the violence and tensions in Basra, Baghdad and elsewhere lead to a fresh surge in displacement. The Organization has been monitoring and assessing the needs of internally displaced people and vulnerable host families in Iraq since February 2006 when the bombing of the Al-Askari shrine in Samara triggered a new displacement crisis. More than 1.5 million people have been displaced since then in addition to the 1.2 million people displaced in 2003 and before.

IOM has been providing emergency food and non-food assistance to these and other vulnerable groups. Overall, it has assisted more than five million internally displaced, returnees, and host community members since 2003.