Fire Devastates Palestinian Refugee Camp In Iraq

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - A fire at a Palestinian refugee camp along the Iraqi-Syrian border has caused the United Nations refugee agency to deploy emergency supplies. According to reports from the border, at least 25 people were injured and over 50 tents destroyed by the blaze.

It was the third fire at the Al Tanf camp in less than one year, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis said at a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday. Pagonis said the fire "yet again highlights the need for a humanitarian solution to be found for Palestinians trapped at the border after fleeing Baghdad... This fire has just added to an increasing atmosphere of despair and desperation at the camp."

The UNHCR rushed tents, mattresses and kitchen supplies to the camp, refilled fire extinguishers and explored fire-prevention methods with the Palestinians at the camp.

Al Tanf is home to 310 Palestinian refugees who have fled from the sectarian violence in Iraq. They have been stranded at the border area since May 2006 when they were denied entrance into neighboring nations.

The UNHCR reported that a majority of the Palestinians at Al Tanf are women and children.