CARE restores generator power in baghdad hospitals

CARE
Tuesday, 15 April 2003

Disorder and chaos continue to hamper relief efforts

CARE staff in Iraq are addressing key needs in Baghdad's hospitals, and distributing clean water and other supplies to communities despite disorder and chaos. But large-scale relief efforts cannot take place to meet escalating needs until a minimum of security is guaranteed.

"The health situation is absolutely critical," said Margaret Hassan, CARE country director from Baghdad. "The most urgent need in hospitals is for electricity to be restored. Without electricity, operations cannot be performed and refrigerated vaccines will spoil."

Hassan confirmed that CARE staff have resumed work in Baghdad after a week of lying low, distributing relief supplies there and in three nearby towns some 30 miles outside of the capital.

Today, CARE staff restored power to one of Baghdad's largest hospitals, Al Yarmuk General (1,200 beds). Last week, the hospital was hit directly by shells, which destroyed the third floor. Of the four hospitals visited today, CARE reports all had been looted to some degree. While Al Yarmuk General still has some supplies, Al Kindi hospital doesn't even have beds. Tomorrow, two teams of CARE engineers will do their utmost to help restore power and distribute disinfectants to hospitals throughout Baghdad.

The need is imperative for law and order to be restored along with the protection of key public assets, such as hospitals, warehouses containing relief supplies, and public buildings. Humanitarian organizations like CARE are unable to work effectively in the current state of insecurity.

Doctors and hospital staff are doing their best to cope with the crisis while at the same time supporting their families. But their work is unpaid, since there is no clear responsible authority to pay them.

"Our relief efforts are being seriously hampered by disorder and chaos. Law and order must be restored to allow humanitarian organizations to scale up operations," Hassan added. Some of CARE's emergency warehouse supplies in Baghdad have been lost during the fighting and looting.

Hassan also warned of potential food shortages in the coming two to three weeks. Basic foods, such as bread are becoming scarce. Kerosene for cooking is in short supply. "If these supplies run out, what will they do?" she says. "This humanitarian crisis could quickly become a humanitarian catastrophe. We must not forget that this country has been completely reliant on food supplements for the past 12 years. The food ration system must be reinstated quickly."

Working in Iraq since 1991, CARE has remained in the country throughout the war – first in Baghdad delivering clean water, hygiene supplies and supplementary food to women and children. When security risks hampered Baghdad operations, teams moved west of the city into the towns of Heet, Anah, and Baghdadi, where they delivered clean water to hospitals and communities.

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