Heatwave Threatens Iraq's Displaced Children

The Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights warned Sunday that the lives of Iraqi children currently languishing in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) were at risk due to an ongoing heat wave in some parts of the country.



Commission member Salama al-Khafaji told Anadolu Agency that an ongoing heat wave in Baghdad and other provinces "threatens the lives of displaced children, especially those living in caravan camps [metal housing units] that lack air-conditioning."



The Iraqi High Commission for human Rights is an independent organization overseen by Iraq's parliament.



Iraq's official organization for meteorology and seismology said Saturday that temperatures would exceed 50 Celsius in the country's southern regions on Saturday, returning to its normal rate of 45 on Sunday.



"Direct exposure to sunrays, especially in 50-Celsius weather, causes risks to general health and could cause hyperthermia," Dr. Hamdi Abdel-Jabbar of Baghdad's health care department told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.



"Those most affected by the heat wave are displaced families staying in camps that lack air-conditioning and protection from sunrays," Abdel-Jabbar said.



In recent years, the Iraqi government has declared public holidays at state institutions – except for those related to health and security – due to frequent heat waves.



The number of internally displaced Iraqis currently stands at some four million, the UNHCR said in June. - Ankara