Extreme fuel shortage “will exacerbate an already stretched humanitarian response,” warns the IRC

June 19, 2014 — Extreme fuel shortages in central Iraq could prevent Iraqis from fleeing violence, and affect public works including operations of hospitals and water pumps stations during the hottest period of the year, warns the International Rescue Committee.

Already long queues of cars are snaking for miles from gas stations across Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) due to increased demand from the recently displaced population now in KRI as well as from residents here who fear an interruption of supply.  People are waiting up to four hours for fuel, sometimes in vain if stations run dry. The fuel shortage also means taxis and public transport have become scarce.

“For those still trapped in areas of fighting, the fuel crisis will make it far harder to escape. Even people who have already fled to Kurdistan need fuel for their cars to collect life saving food aid or to access hospitals. The shortage of fuel will exacerbate an already stretched humanitarian response in Iraq” said Nora Love, International Rescue Committee’s Iraq Country Director.

An already serious humanitarian crisis is growing worse with as many as 500,000 men, women and children fleeing their homes during the past week in the wake of escalating violence in Iraq. The International Rescue Committee is preparing to provide clean water, medicine and emergency financial assistance to thousands who have fled the fighting. In addition, the IRC provides emergency support to thousands of Syrian refugees in northern Iraq, and those who have fled previous waves of violence in central Iraq.