Geneva/Baghdad (ICRC) – Staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have delivered badly needed medical supplies to the main hospital in Fallujah. Because of persistent heavy fighting between government forces and armed groups, this is the first time ICRC personnel have managed to enter the city since January. They found immense needs and a situation that is extremely dire. People in the city are living through a terrible ordeal.
“We have been trying hard to bring aid to Fallujah and its hospital for the past few months, but have not been able to get there because of intense fighting,” said Patricia Guiote, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Baghdad, who led the five-person team into the city. “The situation is very worrying. People are enduring a severe shortage of food, water and health care. Services at the hospital, which is the only facility still able to provide treatment for the injured and the sick, have been seriously affected by the fighting.”
In close coordination with the Ministry of Health, ICRC staff delivered basic medical supplies needed to treat patients suffering from burns or other injuries. “The medical items delivered were immediately used to treat casualties, so more supplies are needed,” said Ms Guiote. “With the overall situation in Fallujah remaining extremely volatile, the hospital staff have been doing a remarkable job.”
The delivery of supplies to the hospital took place with the agreement of all parties involved in the fighting in Fallujah. The ICRC is hopeful that it will be able to return to the city to provide further support for the health and water services and to bring in food and essential relief items for civilians.
The full article continues at http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/news-release/2014/06-05-iraq-fallujah-medical-supplies-hospital.htm on ICRC’s website.