With rising violence, Ramadi residents look for safe haven

Nearly 1,500 families [about 10,000 people] have fled the city of Ramadi, some 115km west of Baghdad, as the newly-appointed government and US-led multinational forces vow to restore stability to the volatile city. “We’re living in a war zone,” said Thair Saad, a 45-year-old father of four who recently left Ramadi to find shelter for his family in the capital. “What’s more, we have no electricity, potable water or even telephones. We can't live a normal life,” added Saad, who now pays the equivalent of US $300 a month to rent a small house in Baghdad's Amiriya neighbourhood. According to Hamid al-Karboli, volunteer with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in the western Anbar province, residents are fed up with incessant fighting, air strikes, water scarcity and power outages. “Most families have ended up with their relatives in the border towns of Kubaisa, Haditha, Anna, Rawa and Heet bordering Syria,” said al-Karboli. “Others have been forced to stay in abandoned buildings and mosques.” Al-Karboli went on to say that tents, foodstuffs and other essential materials had been distributed to displaced peoples in effected areas, and that more relief supplies had been requested from IRCS headquarters in Baghdad. “Now, our resources depend largely on assistance from well-to-do local residents,” al-Karboli said. According to IRCS officials in the capital, the organisation is currently in the process of sending 100,000 food rations and essential supplies to Ramadi. “Each 30kg package contains rice, beans and milk, in addition to detergents and sanitary materials,” said IRCS head Dr Saad Haqi. “This can supply families with five to six members for 15 days.” Earlier this month, the US military noted that it was “very concerned” about the humanitarian situation in the beleaguered city. “The situation in Ramadi – just like in Baghdad – is serious, and it’s something we’re paying a lot of attention to,” said Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, spokesman for the US-led Coalition in Iraq. Caldwell went on to allege that the so-called “Al-Qaeda in Iraq” terrorist outfit was taking advantage of brewing sectarian differences in order to make inroads into Ramadi. The official added that about 1,500 US troops had recently been transferred from Kuwait into the Anbar province to help quell the violence. “This deployment is a short-term one to ensure continuity during summer rotations,” he said. SM/AR/AM