Aid groups deliver supplies to Sadr City

BAGHDAD, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The non-profit International Medical Corps joined forces with logistics firm Agility to distribute massive shipments of medical supplies in central Baghdad.

IMC and Agility said in a press statement Thursday nearly 50 pallets of medical supplies were distributed to residents in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City.

Aid workers brought supplies to local hospitals where patients suffer from a lack of pediatric supplies, oxygen tanks and defibrillators, among others.

"By employing their logistics expertise and regional know-how, Agility supported us in an emergency response effort that saved, and will continue to save, many lives," said Rabih Torbay with IMC.

At least 1,000 civilians died from conflicts in the Baghdad slum this spring when the Mehdi Army forces of Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr battled U.S. and Iraqi national forces. The main hospital in the area, Shaheed al-Sadr Hospital, was shut down due to repeated rocket attacks.