UN 'concerned' about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Fallujah

The rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Fallujah is worrying and raises several concerns, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq Nickolay Mladenov said on Thursday.

“I am particularly concerned about the rapidly deteriorating conditions in Fallujah where many residents are caught up in the fighting,” Mladenov said. “The UN continues to urge for humanitarian access to the city.”

According to the UN official “more than sixty thousand families have been displaced since the fighting broke out in the Anbar province. Some of the families have fled to other areas in Iraq, while others are staying in remote communities in Anbar. Many families were unable to flee the fighting.

“The displaced families are running out of food and drinking water and suffer from poor sanitation and limited access to health care.”

Mladenov called upon all the political parties “to find a political solution to the crisis and to stand united against terrorism which affects all segments of society”.

“I call on all sides to address the causes of violence through dialogue and the political process and to help rebuild Anbar.”