United Nations: Concerned over reports of an air strike on a Baghdad market that
resulted in heavy casualties and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Iraq, the
United Nations has said attacks on civilian installations are a "serious breach" of
international humanitarian laws.
"The civilian population of Iraq has no part in this conflict and must be protected
from its consequences at all costs… Attacks on civilian installations are a serious
breach of humanitarian international laws," UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Iraq
Ramiro Lopes da Silva, said.
Lopes da Silva's office said the emergency room at Abougreb hospital in Baghdad was
full, and Premiere Urgence, a French NGO with 60 staff in the city, was extending it
by erecting tents for overflow of patients. It also said the evaluations of Baghdad
hospitals by International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) had been slowed down due to
heavy bombing.
Joining in the concern, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said civilian injuries
inevitably increased the pressure on already-stretched hospitals and other health
infrastructure.
WHO also expressed concern over fierce fighting in Iraq's second largest city of
Basra, where at least half the civilian population of 1.7 million still lacked
access to safe, clean drinking water. Many were also without electricity.
"In these circumstances, it is hard to keep food safe and to maintain hygiene," WHO
spokesperson Fadela Chiab said.
"Levels of disease – especially among children – will be rising daily. The public
health staff who work in WHO are increasingly concerned. Dysentery and typhoid are
serious risks, and they will have a serious impact."
PTI
