Iraq: UN aid agencies preparing for 'all scenarios' as western Mosul military operations set to begin
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 18 February 2017 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Iraq: UN aid agencies preparing for 'all scenarios' as western Mosul military operations set to begin, 18 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58aaaca44.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the country, food and fuel supplies are dwindling, markets and shops have closed, running water is scarce and electricity in many neighborhoods is either intermittent or cut off.
"The situation is distressing. People, right now, are in trouble. We are hearing reports of parents struggling to feed their children and to heat their homes," said Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.
According to estimates, between 750,000 and 800,000 civilians reside in the western section of Mosul.
However, few if any commercial supplies have reached the city in the past three months since the main road to Syria was cut-off.
Sources in the city also reported that nearly half of all food shops have closed and bakeries throughout the area have run out of fuel and many can no longer afford to purchase costly flour.
RELATED: UN fears new wave of displacement as fighting escalates in Mosul and Hawiga
Prices of fuel such as kerosene and cooking gas have skyrocketed and many of the most destitute families are burning wood, furniture, plastic or garbage for cooking and heating.
Families, children face critical shortage of drinking water, do not have enough to eat
According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) there are critical shortages of food and safe drinking water.
Three out of five people now depend on untreated waterUNICEF Representative in Iraq Peter Hawkins
"Three out of five people now depend on untreated water from wells for cooking and drinking as water systems and treatment plants have been damaged by fighting or run out of chlorine," said Peter Hawkins, the UNICEF Representative in Iraq.
"Food prices in western Mosul are almost double than in eastern Mosul," added Sally Haydock, the WFP Representative in the country, noting that many families do not have enough to eat.
Preparing to aid as many as 400,000 fleeing civilians
A UNICEF-supported water truck and trash collection programme at a camp in Al Qayyarah, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq. More than 6,000 people displaced from Mosul are residing at this camp. (file) Photo: OCHA / Philippe Kropf
According to OCHA, UN and humanitarian partners are rushing to prepare for the humanitarian impact of the military operation.
"We don't know what will happen during the military campaign but we have to be ready for all scenarios. Tens of thousands of people may flee or be forced to leave the city. Hundreds of thousands of civilians might be trapped — maybe for weeks, maybe for months," said Ms. Grande.
Emergency sites are being constructed south of the city and stocks of life-saving supplies are being pre-positioned for the 250,000-400,000 civilians who may flee.
"Protecting civilians is the highest priority in a situation like this — nothing is more important [...] The battle hasn't started but already there is a humanitarian crisis," the UN humanitarian official added.
