The scene was familiar from pre-war days when food was distributed to Iraqis through the United Nations' food-for oil-program. The Iraqis showed ration cards they were given by the ousted government of Saddam Hussein to collect basic food staples such as flour, milk powder, cooking oil, sugar, tea, and rice.
The distribution was run by international relief organizations from trucks guarded by heavily armed men. A number of such trucks were seen parked in impoverished neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, a number of hospitals in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities have reopened, providing treatment, and in some cases performing surgery.
Some of the hospitals are familiar but are operating under different guises. The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Hospital, named after its donor, the president of the United Arab Emirates, has taken over the former Olympics Hospital building, which belonged to Saddam's eldest son, Uday.
A Saudi hospital also has opened, giving priority to victims of the war. Other hospitals also are now operating in other parts of the country, mostly with help from other Arab countries and humanitarian organizations. In Falluja, 40 miles west of Baghdad, the Jordanian army has set up a field hospital.
The resumption of medical services and food distribution came as dozens of Iraqis and students demonstrated in front of the Palestine Hotel Sunday, carrying banners condemning the United States.
The protesters accused the United States of allowing the lawlessness and chaos that has swept Iraqi cities in the past few weeks.
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
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