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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 29 June 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 July 2016. It was answered by Baroness Verma (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 July 2016 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Iraq: Refugees

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that at least 85,000 refugees have escaped from Fallujah, and of the adequacy of the camps that have been established by the UNHCR for those refugees.

Answer

According to the UN, 85,000 people have been displaced from Fallujah and the surrounding area since May. The UK is concerned by the humanitarian situation in the Fallujah area, including overcrowded camps and the risks posed by the extreme heat of the Iraqi summer.

The UK is working closely with UN, government and other partners to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches people who have fled Fallujah. We call on all sides to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and to ensure free, unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies.

Since June 2014, the UK has committed £79.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq. The UK is the largest contributor to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, through which we are funding projects to support those leaving Fallujah.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL860
Session
2016-17
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Armed conflict Humanitarian aid Iraq Refugees Internally displaced people
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk