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Combat could displace 1 million more in Iraq

July 29, 2016

One million people could be displaced in Iraq in coming months, the International Committee of the Red Cross reports. Government forces have intensified efforts to retake the city of Mosul from the "Islamic State."

https://p.dw.com/p/1JXjA
Nordirak Kinder Flüchtlinge Flüchtlingslager
Image: Reuters/A. Jalal

The International Committee of the Red Cross announced that combat could displace 1 million people in Iraq in coming months. The ICRC also called for a further 17.1 million Swiss francs (15.8 million euros/$17.5 million) for relief efforts in Iraq, the agency's third-largest program worldwide, which would bring its budget for the country to 137 million francs.

Karte Irak Englisch Mosul, Baghdad, Fallujah
Image: DW

"The situation is unpredictable, but we must prepare for the worst," Robert Mardini, ICRC director for the Near and Middle East, said in a statement released on Friday. "There's the likelihood that fighting will intensify, particularly in the Mosul area. Hundreds of thousands of people may very well be on the move in the coming weeks and months, seeking shelter and assistance."

According to the ICRC, more than 10 million people already require humanitarian assistance in Iraq, with over 3 million internally displaced. In recent weeks, government forces have intensified efforts to retake the northern city of Mosul from "Islamic State." Multinational efforts against IS have resulted in civilian deaths in Syria, as well.

mkg/msh (Reuters, AP)