IRAQ: Internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in south closes to new arrivals

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/cbf5dd5aa86d09e88e997752b2fefb69.htm

NAJAF, 1 August 2007 (IRIN) - An internally displaced persons (IDP) camp just outside the southern Iraqi city of Najaf has closed to new arrivals, forcing hundreds of Iraqis fleeing violence in Baghdad and neighbouring governorates to look elsewhere for refuge.

Families trying to access Najaf's al-Manathera camp told IRIN they were desperately searching for a place to stay as their children were getting sick in the hot weather and they had no food or shelter.

"We have been trying to get access to a camp in Najaf for the past five days… but so far no one has offered us help and my two smallest children are getting sick," said Um Abir, mother of four, recently displaced due to sectarian violence in Baghdad.

"It is hard for us to see people getting full assistance inside the camps while we are outside hungry, tired and dirty," Um Abir said, adding: "Someone should look after us before we get shot, or die in this terrible hot weather, because we don't have anywhere to shelter and have to cover our heads with newspaper."

However, Muthana Ali Zeid, media officer in the Najaf Governorate Council, said they could not afford to provide any more assistance to new arrivals.