Fire devastates Palestinian refugee camp in Iraq

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http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/October/focusoniraq_October55.xml§ion=focusoniraq&col=

9 October 2007

GENEVA - Fire swept through a Palestinian refugee camp on the Iraqi/Syrian border over the weekend, destroying tents, personal documents and possessions of those stranded there, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the fire highlighted the need for a solution for the 310 mainly women and children, who have been stranded at the Al Tanf camp since May 2006 after they were denied entry into countries neighbouring Iraq.

The fire was caused by an unattended fuel stove on Saturday and spread rapidly through the camp in no-man’s land between Iraq and Syria, UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told journalists.

Twenty-five people were injured and the fire engulfed some 53 tents housing 11 families, though a UNHCR team quickly rushed tents, mattresses and kitchen supplies to the camp in the fire’s aftermath.

[annabanana]

1. Affliction upon affliction.

This is a hard world.