Paris, February 20th, 2017
“The current military offensive, this time on West Mosul, makes us fear new population displacements that will add to the 163,000 civilians who had already had to flee the fighting on the eastern side of the city,” says Caroline Bedos, Middle East manager for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL.
70,000 civilians in West Mosul, who were already struggling to survive in harsh conditions for two years, are now caught in the military attack launched by Iraqi military forces.
“Food diet restrictions, waterborne diseases, lack of access to healthcare, etc. are but a few of the numerous issues that will be worsened by the conflict in the next few weeks, Caroline Bedos explains. The fact that only 40% of East Mosul’s population has access to drinking water makes us fear an even worse situation in the West.”
Access to drinking water for displaced populations
All the bridges linking the East and the West of the city have been destroyed. The only escape route for populations is the South side. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL’s teams will focus on conflict victims in this area to provide scarce drinking water.
“We are expecting an important population influx in Mosul’s south corridor along the Tigris River, describes Caroline Bedos. In Ninevah governorate alone, 163,000 people have run away from fighting in the eastern side of the city and many are now in displacement camps near Qayarah, Hamam Al Hali and Al Shura cities. Our teams will provide Mosul corridor victims and host communities with an access to drinking water.”
These interventions, in addition to the distribution of dignity kits (soap, toothbrushes, towels, buckets, chlorine tablets…) aim at covering the water and hygiene needs of 8,000 people.
Concern for populations left behind
“We are worried about the plight of populations still in the city, adds Caroline Bedos. The more the fighting lasts, the more populations will run out of resources, and be overwhelmed. Our teams stand ready to assist trapped populations as soon as West Mosul is accessible.”
Appeal for generosity
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is calling upon the public’s generosity to help provide a humanitarian response to urgent needs of populations in Mosul’s region on www.solidarites.org
Press contact
Tugdual de Dieuleveult
Tel. 06 64 92 50 37 – Mail. tdedieuleveult@solidarites.org