New York, NY, November 2, 2016 — In reaction to Iraqi forces reaching Mosul, Alex Milutinovic, International Rescue Committee Iraq Country Director, said:
“Keeping civilians in Mosul out of the firing line must be the priority for Iraqi military forces. They must find a way for people to safely leave the city as quickly as possible, otherwise, hundreds of thousands are at risk of being trapped in the city as the fighting rages around them.
"We’ve spoken with terrified people from villages outside Mosul who barely escaped with their lives as they ran from their homes in the midst of fighting. We have heard residents inside Mosul have been buying cloth to use as white flags for when the army arrives.
"We must not forget that the vast majority inside Mosul are innocent people who have suffered terribly under the brutal rule of ISIS. In the past week, thousands more from outlying villages have been forced to enter Mosul where ISIS are likely to use them as human shields.”
IRC mobile teams are responding to the north, south and east of Mosul. As well as providing cash to displaced families to help them pay for rent, food and other basics, IRC teams will help displaced Iraqis access healthcare and other vital services, as well provide activities for children to help them cope and ensure women and girls are protected and supported.