IOM's humanitarian activities in Iraq's southern city of Basra and
as well as in other southern governorates have been put on hold as
violence and curfew prevent staff and partners from providing
humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs) and
vulnerable populations.

Staff report that with the potable water network down in most
parts of Basra as well as electricity being shut down, priority
needs of the population are water, food and medical supplies for
hospitals with the situation expected to deteriorate in the coming
days. The suddenness of the crackdown had meant little to no time
for people to stock up on essentials.

Some displacement has been reported in two areas – Al
Hayaniya and Al Jameyat – although it is not possible as yet
to verify or to gauge the scale. However, IOM staff report that
most people are nevertheless trapped in their homes.

With either curfews or violence also affecting people in
Baghdad's Sadr City and the governorates of Qadissiya, Thi Qar,
Missan, Wassit and Babylon where scores of people have so far died
and hundreds injured, access to food, water, fuel and medicines is
increasingly becoming an issue partly also due to increasing
prices.

IOM is taking stock of its emergency food and non-food relief
supplies to assist affected populations and IDPs should the
violence and tensions in Basra, Baghdad and elsewhere lead to a
fresh surge in displacement. The Organization has been monitoring
and assessing the needs of internally displaced people and
vulnerable host families in Iraq since February 2006 when the
bombing of the Al-Askari shrine in Samara triggered a new
displacement crisis. More than 1.5 million people have been
displaced since then in addition to the 1.2 million people
displaced in 2003 and before.

IOM has been providing emergency food and non-food assistance to
these and other vulnerable groups. Overall, it has assisted more
than five million internally displaced, returnees, and host
community members since 2003.

For further information, please contact:

Livia Styp-Rekowska

E-mail: "mailto:Lstyp-rekowska@iom-iraq.net">Lstyp-rekowska@iom-iraq.net