(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Ottawa, Oct.22 (Petra) -- The Canadian government called on international community to do more and help civilians that are fleeing the fighting in the Iraqi city of Mosul.
Canada's International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said: "Civilians under siege are likely to be at the highest risk of hunger, lack of medical assistance and human rights violations." "This is a global responsibility and all donors must step up to respond to what is now unfolding in Mosul," she added.
The UN asked the international community in July for $284 million in aid for the Mosul offensive, but less than half has been pledged. Canada is the fifth-largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Iraq, after the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and European Commission, according to the UN. That includes $150 million in humanitarian assistance promised in July.
Bibeau said the money, to be spread over three years, is going to groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross and Oxfam to use as needed.
While not earmarked specifically for Mosul, she said some has already been used to support preparations for the Mosul attack.
That includes providing emergency food rations through the World Food Programme and ICRC and helping the International Organization for Migration with camps and emergency shelter.
But while touting Canada's contribution, Bibeau said much more is needed from the international community to prevent a tragedy.
The UN said it is ready to accommodate up to 60,000 people in 27 camps and emergency sites scattered around Mosul, but it estimated that as many as 200,000 could flee during the first two weeks of the battle.
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22/10/2016 - 09:37:21 AM
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