Iraq: water, sanitation and health care lacking for millions of people

Five years after the war started, the humanitarian situation in Iraq is among the most critical in the world, according to a new ICRC report . Every day, Iraqis continue to be killed, often in indiscriminate attacks. Health services and utilities are inadequate and the situation is worsened by the lasting effects of earlier armed conflicts and sanctions. Millions of Iraqis have little or no access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare. The Swiss-based agency says Iraq's humanitarian situation is "among the most critical in the world". It warned that despite better security in some areas, millions had been left essentially to fend for themselves. Some families spend a third of their average monthly wage of $150 (£75) just buying clean water, the report found.

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Contributor: Victor K. Mugarura
Published Date: March 19, 2008