On Tuesday 26 August 2014, the pumping of water to Camp Liberty stopped, as fuel for the camp’s generators finally ran out. Iraqi government forces have prevented fuel, food and medical supplies from entering the camp since August 16, causing catastrophic problems. The lack of generating capacity means the 2,800 refugees have no electricity, no air conditioning despite 50 degrees centigrade heat and now, no water. This constitutes a crime against humanity perpetrated by the Iraqi government who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN in which they guaranteed to look after the welfare and safety of the camp’s residents.
Already, a number of residents, including some of the female refugees, have become dangerously dehydrated and have been referred to Iraqi clinics for treatment.
The Iraqi government has also prevented entry of contracted septic tankers to the camp for the past 11 days, so that sewage is now overflowing from the tanks and causing serious hygiene problems for the residents.
The UN, EU and the US, who forced the residents to leave their home at Camp
Ashraf and move to Camp Liberty, have complete responsibility for the safety and
security of the residents and they must put pressure on Iraq to end this callous and merciless siege against innocent refugees today.
Struan Stevenson
President, European Iraqi Freedom Association