Aid finally reaches Fallujah civilians


Red Crescent convoys have finally reached Fallujah civilians, after the deadly U.S.-led assault that broke out earlier this month and stayed for nearly three weeks with the aim of seizing control over the city.

The Iraqi Red Crescent told reporters on Saturday that it has managed to deliver aid to the battle-wrecked Iraqi city of Fallujah.

However, a spokesman said that the organisation fears that more than 6,000 people may have died in the U.S. 0ffensive and that thousands of families are in bad need of assistance.

Convoys carrying food, water, medicine and blankets and other supplies were reported moving around Fallujah, however, there is still no running water or electricity.

The Red Crescent said that 60 people came out to get assistance in one street alone.

Dr. Said Haqi, Red Crescent president, said that the organisation has set up an office close to the city centre.

Dr. Haqi told reporters that one man in his mid-50s approached them after staying in his house for the past month - depending solely on water and sugar.

UN information network Irin reported that spokesman Muhammad al-Nuri said the Red Crescent estimated that more than 6,000 people may have died in Fallujah offensive.

According to Al Nuri, moving around the city was very difficult as a result of the huge number of dead bodies scattered everywhere.

"Bodies can be seen everywhere and people were crying when receiving the food parcels. It is very sad, it is a human disaster," Mr. Nuri said.

However, no outbreaks of disease have been reported but the destruction is widespread, reports say.

Dr. Said expects that the ran away residents of Fallujah wont be able to return to the city before two months.

U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a major offensive on the Iraqi city of Fallujah nearly three weeks ago, but massive aerial bombardments of the city took place for weeks before that.

On Wednesday the Turkish Red Crescent reported that it has sent an aid convoy to Fallujah.

''U.S. forces has launched a military operation in Fallujah. The city has become the scene of a human disaster'', Red Crescent Deputy Director General Bulent Ay said on Wednesday.

''The aid which includes 200 tents, 1,000 blankets, 500 pillows, foodstuff, drinking water, medicine and soaps will be handed over to Iraqi Red Crescent officials at the Habur Border crossing,'' Ay added.


Aljazeerah.com, 27-11-2004

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