UNCHR calls for opening safe routes for civilians in Fallujah

The UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR) called for opening safe passages ensuring an exit for fleeing Iraqi civilians trapped by Daesh group in Fallujah, the aid group posted on its website.

“It is vital that safe routes are opened, allowing civilians access to safety and live-saving assistance,” UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told reporters at a news briefing in Geneva.

She said the UNHCR will provide aid for more than 800 people who fled Fallujah in recent days as government forces continue their offensive.

Some 50,000 civilians still remain trapped inside, prevented from escaping by militants as the city continues to come under heavy bombardment by Iraqi forces. In December, routes out of the city were cut off and civilians prevented from leaving.

Falluja, which lies around 60 kilometers west of the capital, Baghdad, was the first Iraqi city to be taken by Daesh in a January 2014 offensive. Since then, more than 3.2 million people have been displaced across Iraq.

“Since then, food has been in short supply, people are relying on expired rice and dried dates, and several starvation-related deaths have been reported,” Fleming said.

“Families have had to rely on unsafe water sources, including drainage water from irrigation canals. Health facilities and medications are not available in the area, leading some families to reportedly use herbal medicine for the purpose of treatment,” she added.

The agency will also open two new camps next week in Habbaniyah Tourist City, that will able to accommodate 500 newly-displaced families.

“The number of families who’ve escaped, however, is still very small, given the tens of thousands of people still trapped in Fallujah,” Fleming said.

For the past few weeks, there has been intensified fighting around Fallujah and airstrikes by coalition forces as the Iraqi Security Forces advanced towards the city.

Inside Fallujah, there have been reports of a dramatic increase in the number of executions of men and older boys for refusing to fight on behalf of Daesh. Other reports said a number of people attempting to leave have been executed or whipped, and one man’s leg was reportedly amputated.

In addition, many people are reported to have been killed or buried alive under the rubble of their homes in the course of ongoing military operations.

Source : MENA