500,000 more iraqis displaced as armed opposition groups take over mosul

On the 8th of June 2014, conflict broke out in the Ninewa Governate of Iraq as the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) took over Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. Iraqi reinforcement troops were deployed to Mosul to stop the takeover, however they did not reach in time and the city fell to ISIS control within hours. As a result, all Iraqi forces have had to pull out of Mosul. ISIS have proceeded to free more than 2,500 prisoners in Mosul and have assumed control of government buildings, city roads and facilities.

As of the 11th of June 2014, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported more than 500,000 people have fled from Mosul, by vehicle and many are also on foot. The Governorate of Dohuk has reported that more than 200,000 Mosul IDPs have entered Dohuk Governorate. The Governorate of Erbil has reported that more than 100,000 Mosul IDPs have entered Erbil Governorate. Many are still on the way between Mosul and the KRG areas of Dohuk and Erbil.

Save the Children’s Acting Country Director in Iraq, Aram Shakaram, said:

“As terrified families and children flee violence in Mosul, we are witnessing one of the largest and swiftest mass movements of people in the world in recent memory. This shocking escalation of violence is forcing hundreds of thousands of people to for their lives towards the Kurdistan region.

Massive traffic jams and blocked roads are seriously hindering access and movement of aid, as hundreds of thousands flee from the raging violence and chaos. The most vulnerable families are those left behind and it’s extremely difficult to reach them right now as the violence continues. We are also extremely concerned over how the Kurdistan region of Iraq will cope with the influx.

Save the Children is on the ground working with refugees and displaced people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. As an immediate emergency priority, we will distribute water, food and hygiene kits to people fleeing Mosul in coordination with local authorities and organisations responding to the crisis.

The majority of Iraqis fleeing Mosul had to escape in a matter of minutes as the situation deteriorated. Reaching out to them is an immediate priority and we appeal to the international community to step up its funding to this growing crisis.”