RELIGION-RAMADAN/IRAQ-DISPLACED Heat spell, power outages dampen Ramadan spirit for displaced Iraqis

Record ID: 151420

  • Title: RELIGION-RAMADAN/IRAQ-DISPLACED Heat spell, power outages dampen Ramadan spirit for displaced Iraqis
  • Date: 15th June 2015
  • Summary: KAWERGOSK REFUGEE CAMP, ERBIL, IRAQ (JUNE 13, 2015) (REUTERS) TENTS / WATER TANKER AND ROAD ROLLER AT KAWERGOSK CAMP TENTS / ROAD ROLLER AND LARGE WATER PIPES AT CAMP TENTS WITH UNHCR LOGO CHILDREN NEAR WATER TAP / ONE DOUSING HIS HEAD WITH WATER CHILD DOUSING HIS HEAD WITH WATER AND WASHING HIS FACE TENT TURNED INTO GROCERY AT CAMP/ MAN PUTTING OKRA IN PLASTIC BAG AND PLA
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9DB72XDZ9VWDVQXH88SDKGLNX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Torrid summer heat and a shortage of electricity and water have compounded the living conditions of thousands of people living in a refugee camp ahead of Ramadan.
    At the Kawergosk refugee camp in Erbil, the capital city of Iraq's northern Kurdish region, life has become increasingly unbearable for many residents.
    During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
    This year, Muslims are expected to observe Ramadan from this week.
    Many displaced families at Kawergosk refugee camp said scorching summer heat and shortages of power and water supplies will force many of them to abandon fasting this year.
    The camp is supplied by water from a large water tank, yet cool water is hard to get.
    To cool themselves, the children douse their heads with water whilst others sit in the shade fanning themselves.
    Qahtan fled his home in Mosul along with his family when the city fell to Islamic State militants last June. The camp is now his home, 20 km north of Erbil.
    His family can barely afford any food. It subsists mainly on handouts and food aids distributed by the camp.
    He said most of the people are not going to fast because they don't have enough food, and don't have anything to break their fast with.
    "I am not going to fast. Last year we were at al-Khazer (camp) and no one fasted because of the heat and this Ramadan too, no one can fast because of the heat. They distributed air coolers, but they cut the electricity. Those who have money can fast and can eat and drink and those who have not, will have nothing to eat and drink. They will rely on handouts from people," Qahtan said.
    The camp is supplied with electricity from the national grid, but higher power consumption during summer forces a power cut of up to five hours a day, mainly at mid-day.
    Kawergosk refugee camp is one of the seven in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Coordinated and managed by UNHCR, the camps provide shelter and services to more than 3,500 people who fled Mosul and surrounding villages to escape Islamic militants.
    More than three million Iraqis have been displaced across Iraq since June, when the north's biggest city, Mosul, fell to Sunni insurgents who have harried Shi'ite Turkmen and Shabaks, Yezidis and Christians.
    Besides Mosul, around 20 towns and villages populated by minorities in Nineveh have been seized by militants, as well as one in Kirkuk province and several more around the town of Tuz Khurmato.
    Most of the people of the camp complain about what they describe as insufficient food rations.
    Umm Othman, a mother of three, said that difficult conditions at the camp forced her to abandon the fast last year. It's her second Ramadan in a refugee camp since she fled home city of Mosul with her family last June.
    "When we were at Khazer (camp) I fasted for two days, but it was too hot and I could not manage because thirst was unbearable. I felt dizzy and fainted and I broke my fasting after the first two days. Now, if we can, we will fast this year, God willing, but let them provide for our needs such as electricity, water, aid and food. Aid is very bad. They give us a sack of flour, a sack of chick-pea and a sack of rice a month," said Umm Othman.
    Ramadan is usually associated with extravagant sundown fast breaking meal; however, this tradition has become a thing of the past for the people of the camp.
    With bitterness, Bahiya Jabbar recalled Ramadan in her home city of Mosul before fleeing.
    "We used to lead a comfortable life in our homes in Mosul. We used to break our fasting at the sunset with juices and delicious food. We used to cook Dolma (stuffed vegetables) and a wide variety of food, but now we cook nothing. Either we cook lentil soup or red rice and we do not have meat to add to soup. I have just finished cooking red rice for the children. We have nothing to cook in Ramadan. It's the second Ramadan (while in refugee camp) and we have prepared nothing. We do not have money to buy, God bless people who help us," said Jabbar.
    The United Nations launched an appeal early this month for half a billion dollars in international aid to tackle a worsening humanitarian crisis in Iraq triggered by the conflict with Islamic State militants.
    The world body said it was asking donors for $497 million (323.62 million pounds) to pay for shelter, food and water over the next six months for millions of Iraqis forced from their homes or otherwise affected by violence between Iraqi forces and Islamic State fighters.
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