April 17

BAGHDAD (17 April)

General situation

As a certain degree of calm returns to the city centre, security remains volatile, with occasional bursts of machine-gun fire still being heard. Wealthy suburban areas are still prone to looting while poorer areas have seen clashes between different groups. The ICRC in Baghdad repeats that stepping up security is vital to improving the humanitarian situation in the city and must continue. In particular key installations such as hospitals and waterworks must be effectively protected against acts of looting and vandalism.

Water

ICRC engineers working with local technicians have successfully re-established the water supply for the Al-Sadr area of Baghdad (formerly Saddam City), reaching an estimated 800,000 to 900,000 inhabitants. This was made possible by emergency repairs to the Qanat raw-water-pumping station, damaged during the hostilities.

ARBIL (17 April)

An ICRC team has visited Mosul for a partial evaluation of the medical situation. They describe the city as tense following recent demonstrations. Today the ICRC plans to deliver one war-wounded kit for 100 patients as well as other surgical materials to local hospitals. Yesterday ICRC delegates made it possible for about 30 families in Mosul to contact their relatives abroad by making a brief satellite phone call.