Civilians continue to flee conflict-wracked west Mosul of Iraq: UN

A UN spokesperson said Monday that civilians continue to flee conflict-wracked west Mosul of Iraq.

"Nearly 376,000 people have been displaced from west Mosul since the military operation to retake western neighborhoods started in late February," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the daily news briefing, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"Yesterday alone, another 6,500 people were recorded as having arrived at the transit and screening point of Hamam al Alil, south of Mosul," said Dujarric.

Dujarric added that civilian displacement from other remaining Islamic State (IS) held areas has also continued, with nearly 95,000 people being forced to flee the town of Hawija, in Kirkuk governorate, since military operations intensified there last August.

Aid workers continue to help uprooted families who are on the move, families in displacement camps and sites and others, he said.

To date, emergency aid has been provided to help some 2.1 million people in Mosul and surrounding areas, with many families requiring assistance more than once, said the spokesperson.

Despite very rapid displacement and pressures on the capacities of camps and emergency sites, space is currently available to accommodate a further nearly 50,000 people, he said. Endit