BAGHDAD, 2 April 2008 (IRIN) - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on 1 April it was planning to distribute relief items to hospitals and families in Baghdad and the southern provinces once movement restrictions are lifted in the wake of recent fighting between government forces and a Shia militia.

"IOM has pre-positioned emergency food items for distribution to two main hospitals in Baghdad's Sadr City area [and deliveries will be made] once all movement restrictions are lifted," it said in a statement.

"Food baskets will also be delivered if needed to the Baghdad neighbourhoods of Qadimiya and Shulla which are still under curfew."

Food and non-food items are also being bought by IOM for immediate distribution to hospitals in some of Iraq's southern governorates including Basra, Wassit, Qadissiya and Thi Qar, as well as to any newly displaced people.

Fierce clashes between government forces and Shia radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia broke out in Basra on 25 March, spreading to the southern provinces and Baghdad, and prompting round-the-clock curfews in the two cities.

The Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) dispatched a convoy to Sadr City on 1 April but could not distribute relief supplies due to ongoing clashes.

"We moved 23 vehicles, including three big tanks, with medicines, medical supplies, food and other relief items, but Iraqi and US forces ordered us out of the City [Sadr City] when clashes erupted," IRCS head Saad Haqi told IRIN, adding "We will try tomorrow [2 April]."

Shortages, price rises

The IOM said there was a major lack of food and fuel in Baghdad and in southern Iraq, with food prices having jumped between 50 and 600 percent.

"The curfews [in Baghdad and Basra] meant food, fuel, water and medical supplies to large parts of Iraq were badly hit. Shops and market stalls were also damaged in the violence, forcing merchants to delay trading until repairs are completed," it said.

Iraqis, especially those on low incomes or earning daily wages, emerged from the lockdown to find themselves unable to meet their needs due to soaring prices.

"I sell electrical appliances on the pavement and earn my living day by day. When I work I can feed my family, if not then our lives are at risk," said Zaid Adel Hamza, a 44-year-old father-of-three in Baghdad.

"We were mainly depending on dates and bread… during the curfew and sometimes we ate rice and yoghurt. When the curfew was lifted I went to the market to buy food but I could afford only two items - tomatoes and cucumbers - because of the increased prices," said Hamza.

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