Humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate in Iraq

Humanitarian conditions across Iraq continue to deteriorate, with increasing displacement due to military operations and clashes, said a UN spokesman at Monday's daily briefing.

In central Anbar Governorate, military operations have displaced around 60,000 people since early March, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

In addition, he said that in Erbil Governorate, on the edge of the Mosul corridor, over 3,800 people have been displaced by ongoing military operations over the past two months.

The spokesman also briefed reporters on UN's response, saying that humanitarian assistance is being provided to all accessible locations, with a focus on the newly displaced population.

At the same time, he warned that "insecurity, strict security screening procedures, the remote location of displaced people, and overcrowded camps remain critical barriers" to the response by the UN and its partners.

The UN also remains extremely concerned about the reports of dire humanitarian conditions inside Fallujah, a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, said Dujarric.

"It(UN) does not have access to the area to verify conditions directly; however, remote monitoring of food prices and availability indicates severe shortfalls may exist," he said.

Moreover, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) expressed its grave concern over the weekend at the developments in Baghdad, including the storming of the Council of Representatives premises by demonstrators after they entered the International Zone.

The Mission condemned the use of violence, including against elected officials, and urged calm, restraint and respect for Iraq's constitutional institutions at this crucial juncture, said the spokesman.

The UN continues to operate from its headquarters in Baghdad's International Zone and is in constant contact with parties to facilitate a solution that meets the demands of the people for reform, he added.

Source: XINHUA