MAP warns of dire conditions for Palestinians in al-Waleed (Iraq) refugee camp
Monday 25th June 2007, Damascus
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is concerned about the plight of Palestinians fleeing Iraq. Attacks, threats and intimidation have led to many of the Palestinian community in Iraq seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Over 1,200 are sheltering in the makeshift al-Waleed camp in the western al-Anbar province of Iraq along the Syrian border.
Access for international relief agencies is difficult. MAP has managed to enter and assess the al-Waleed camp and has found conditions for Palestinian refugees dire. The tented camp lacks basic services and the refugees are without electricity, sewage systems, and rubbish collection. Clean water is trucked into the camp but is rationed at less than one litre per person per day. This has forced refugees to drink unsafe water further endangering their health.
MAP is worried about the lack of medical facilities at al-Waleed. There is only one doctor at the camp and many of the 1,200 residents need urgent medical attention. The camp is overcrowded and many people are suffering from respiratory and other chronic ailments that require proper medical attention. The nearest hospital is over 4 hours away by road and runs through areas of conflict.
There is a lack of basic medical supplies to treat simple diseases such as headaches and diarrhoea. The camp houses many elderly and children who are vulnerable to dehydration and chronic diarrhoea. MAP is anxious that these groups will be even more susceptible as the summer progresses.
MAP is concerned that conditions at the camp will deteriorate further. Al-Waleed is a remote and inhospitable desert region. Shelter is inadequate with refugees sleeping in tents on ground level. Temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius have already been recorded this month whilst sandstorms can occur regularly.
Overcrowding is already a problem within the camp but Palestinian residents from Baghdad are continuing to be forcibly evicted and flee to the border seeking safe shelter. Al-Waleed lacks the infrastructure to support its residents long-term. International support is being sought but so far no country has shown a willingness to accommodate the refugees.