First Month of Mosul Operation Heightens Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq

Nearly 59,000 people have been displaced since the operation began and 40,000 are being housed in refugee camps run by the United Nations and Iraqi government, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The first month of the operation to retake Mosul from Daesh has increased the already dire humanitarian situation in Iraq, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a joint statement with aid agencies on Thursday.

"Today marks one month of intensified military operations to retake the city of Mosul…These latest developments further exacerbate a humanitarian crisis in a country where 10 million people already were in need of aid," the statement said.

OCHA explained that hospitals and schools are damaged in newly retaken areas around Mosul and food, water and medical supplies are often unavailable due to the scorched earth tactics taken by Daesh militants.

Additionally, nearly 59,000 people have been displaced since the operation began and 40,000 are being housed in refugee camps run by the United Nations and Iraqi government.

Prior to the operation’s launch on October 17, the United Nations warned that millions of people could be displaced from Mosul.

However, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. John Dorrian said Wednesday that many people had chosen to shelter in place in their homes.

OCHA warned that upcoming military operations closer to the Mosul city center could endanger up to one million civilians who chose not to flee the city.