As Insecurity Rises in Baghdad, CARE Urges Coalition Forces to Restore Order

CARE
Monday, 12 May 2003

In the midst of rising lawlessness, the international humanitarian organization CARE today called on coalition forces to meet their obligations under the Geneva Convention to restore order and security in Baghdad. On Friday and Saturday, two CARE vehicles were hijacked at gunpoint. Last night, CARE's warehouse was attacked and a security guard was shot in the leg.

"There isn't any security," says Margaret Hassan, CARE Country Director in Iraq. "The insecurity is restricting the life of the people in Baghdad and their ability to provide for their families. Even as schools open, most families are not allowing their children to attend classes, especially girls. There is fear of being robbed or worse. Anything can happen, from gunfire, to unexploded ordnance going off."

"Our ability to provide humanitarian assistance is being severely affected by the insecurity," says Anne Morris, Emergency Response Team Leader for CARE in Iraq. "If staff can't move, they can't visit communities to determine their needs. What does it say about the situation when criminals can move freely about the city and humanitarian workers cannot?"

CARE staff in Baghdad report widespread gunfire in the city every night and dead bodies in the streets. Looters have been seen taking dilapidated chairs and desks from the Ministry of Planning. Families are staying inside their houses and off the streets - women are not venturing outside even to shop for food during daylight hours.

The justice system has collapsed. "Crime is being organized very rapidly," says Morris. "The biggest security threat is a quickly changing situation and a lack of information. We don't even have a number to call to report any incidents."

CARE urges the coalition forces to take immediate steps to restore order and security in Baghdad. "The humanitarian situation seems manageable now but if we are not allowed to act due to insecurity, it will deteriorate rapidly," says Hassan.

About CARE: CARE is one of the world's leading humanitarian organizations fighting global poverty. CARE has been working in Iraq since 1991, focusing on water and sanitation, children's health and education. Approximately 4 million people have benefited from CARE's work in the past 12 years.

For more information, or to contact CARE, see their website at: www.care.org