UK scales up Iraq humanitarian support ahead of Counter-Daesh offensive in Mosul
UK to provide food, shelter and water for those affected by Mosul operations.
Picture: Andrew McConnell/Panos for DFID
The UK is stepping up humanitarian efforts in northern Iraq to put in place food, shelter and water ahead of a major Iraqi-led operation to retake Mosul city from Daesh forces, International Development Secretary Priti Patel announced today.
Ms Patel urged the international community to follow Britain’s lead in preparing for the humanitarian situation that is likely to follow military operations, so that the people of Mosul are helped swiftly, effectively and safely.
The UN estimates that up to 1.5 million people could be affected by Mosul operations and will be in need of basic life support such as food, shelter, sanitation and safety.
Priti Patel said:
As an outward looking, globally-engaged nation, the UK is committed to supporting the people of Mosul and military efforts to destroy Daesh. A safer and more stable Iraq is in everyone’s interest.
The people of Iraq have suffered greatly at the hands of Daesh and in efforts to liberate them from this brutality we should not let them go through further undue misery.
New UK support will put in place critical stocks and supplies for basic life support such as food, shelter, sanitation facilities, and protection assistance ahead of Mosul military operations. I urge other countries to follow Britain’s lead.
Through funding partners, UK aid in Iraq has so far helped:
- provide food for more than 70,000 people
- ensure more than 80,000 people received essential household items
- provide water and sanitation assistance for more than 200,000 people
- deliver cash assistance to almost 16,000 people
Notes to Editors
The UN launched a flash appeal in July 2016 for $284 million to prepare for the humanitarian impact of Mosul operations. DFID’s £40 million funding is targeted specifically in 2016 to enable a scale up of humanitarian assistance ahead of Mosul operations. DFID has committed £169.5 million of humanitarian support since 2014.
Evidence tells us that investing in preparedness ahead of a predictable crisis is good value for money, as rapid responses save more lives and are less costly. Delayed interventions are more expensive and less likely to have the same impact.
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