Nearly 115,000 people displaced, 50,000 children affected

Since operations began to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh two months ago, some 114,042 people have been displaced and as many as one million are out of reach of humanitarian assistance.

According to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, the on-going conflict has rendered it impossible to make a definitive estimate of the number of people who are still living in Daesh-controlled areas.

The humanitarian community is concerned that conditions for these communities are deteriorating, as basic goods have not been replaced in western parts of the city since supply routes were closed last month.

Of particular concern is the safety and security of children, as more than 50,000 have been affected due to the Mosul military operation and surrounding conflict. Hamida Lasseko, Deputy Representative of the UN Children’s Fund in Iraq, told UN News that the agency is working with the Iraqi Government to provide basic services, psychosocial support, and education to children.

"This is going to be our main area of focus, to advocate for the education of children. This will also help to keep the children safe. They will be protected from being recruited, affected from the armed conflict, and they will also be able to access their basic rights," she said.