Humanitarians are reaching thousands of recently displaced people [EN/AR/KU]

(Baghdad, 21 October 2017) – Humanitarian partners are reaching thousands of people with emergency assistance on a daily basis.

During the past week, well over 100,000 civilians fled from Kirkuk, Makhmur and Tuz Khurmatu districts. Smaller numbers fled Zummar. The situation remains very fluid, with people sometimes fleeing for less than 24 hours before returning home.

Partners are rushing to provide assistance to highly vulnerable families. More than 15,000 emergency food rations were distributed and mobile medical teams are visiting camps and villages to provide health care. Emergency support including water, blankets, hygiene items and household kits is being distributed in areas hosting displaced people.

“Humanitarians are working round the clock to reach vulnerable people with the assistance they need,” said Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq. “The situation remains volatile, and many people are returning to their homes only to flee for a second or third time when hostilities erupt again.”

“We are extremely concerned by reports of violence, looting and destruction. Everything has to be done by authorities on all sides to ensure the safety of families caught up in recent events. Nothing is more important than protecting civilians.”

For further information, please contact: Kate Pond, Communications Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Iraq (pond@un.org)