Report focuses on displaced families

Relentless violence, malnutrition, overtaxed hospitals, contaminated drinking water and chronic power shortages are “inflicting immense suffering” on Iraqis, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in a report to be issued early today.

“Civilians bear the brunt of the relentless violence and the extremely poor security conditions that are disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions,” the report concludes.

Grim reports on the conditions of Iraqi life are not new, but the Red Cross is considered an objective organization that has been one of the few major international humanitarian groups to maintain a presence throughout Iraq as security has deteriorated.

The report lists a broad range of deficiencies, but highlights the problems faced by families displaced by sectarian violence. It also says that the sectarian fighting has exacerbated power shortages by preventing repairs to the electrical grid and generation plants.

The report calls on military forces and politicians to try to improve living conditions, although it does not detail specific steps it wants the U.S. military or Iraqi government to take.

The Geneva-based Red Cross engages in a wide array of humanitarian assistance, including work ensuring that detainees are treated humanely.

In Iraq, the organization has given food aid to 227,000 people, mostly those displaced from their homes. In addition, it has provided hospitals with medical supplies and new equipment and has upgraded water and sewer services. It also has made available 7,300 artificial limbs to Iraqi patients.

Although the group’s reports on detention facilities are kept confidential, it makes public its humanitarian work and its broad assessments of living conditions in the countries where it works.

julian.barnes@latimes.com