UK to provide humanitarian support to Iraqi civilians

16 Jun 2014 12:58 PM

Britain will provide an initial £3 million of emergency humanitarian assistance to help civilians fleeing the ISIS advance in Northern Iraq 

International Development Secretary Justine Greening (Saturday) activated the UK’s Rapid Response Facility (RRF), which provides emergency support via pre-approved organisations in the event of a humanitarian crisis overseas

It follows an initial assessment of needs on the ground by DFID humanitarian experts who deployed to Iraq on Thursday.

This initial package of UK support comprises:

• Clean water and sanitation, essential medicine, women-friendly hygiene kits and basic household items (provided from £2 million of RRF funding to NGOs in the region).

• Protection for vulnerable girls and women through the deployment of dedicated UN safety and welfare teams in key internally displaced person/refugee camp sites and areas (secured through £1 million of funding to the UNHCR).

Justine Greening said: “Iraq is facing serious humanitarian need and the UK contribution to the international relief response will include initial funding for clean water, medicine and sanitation, as well as support for the UNHCR to provide dedicated safety and welfare teams to protect vulnerable women.”

The UK will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with key partners including the Red Cross/Red Crescent and UN agencies.