Life near Basra is `slowly returning to normal' for Iraqis Apr 15 2003
icwales.icnetwork.co.uk
The Western Mail - The National Newspaper Of Wales
LIFE for thousands of Iraqis living near Basra is returning to normal, an aid agency reported last night.
The town of Az Zubayr, which has a population of about 250,000, had been reported to be riddled with security problems and tension.
But aid workers found well-stocked markets and a hospital which contained no war injured, said the charity Cafod.
Fiona Callister, communicator with the charity's emergency response team, said, "The reality is that normality is fast returning. The atmosphere is not tense at all." An assessment team went to Az Zubayr from the charity's base in Kuwait City on Sunday and crowds in the town were described as "jovial and not threatening".
The hospital is still being guarded by volunteers at night, and aid workers described the heroics efforts of medical staff, some of whom worked 48 hours consecutively during bombing.
Some staff had moved into the hospital and had not gone home for 10 days.
Cafod said the hospital was well-stocked with medicines, and the water supply was also reconnected.
Ms Callister said, "We spoke to people and spoke to Iraqi families.
"They are scared and that is more because they are used to being scared."
During bombing, one woman aid workers met felt unable to leave her house for five days.
Ms Callister said, "She is now more relaxed and not frightened for her family any more."
The town was taken by coalition forces in the first week of the campaign, and Cafod's team, which visited on Sunday, was there to assess short-term emergency needs. |
