Iraq - IOM has delivered 250 family emergency kits from its central warehouse in Erbil to internally displaced families in Al-Shikhan, a northern district of Ninewa governorate. The families fled the recent upsurge of violence in Mosul.

Each family kit contains four blankets, one carpet, one 10 kg bag of cleaning powder, one gas cooker, one fan, four matresses, four pillows, one plastic cabinet, two boxes of sanitary pads, and four towels.

The distribution was done in coordination with the local authorities and the UN country team. In addition to the family emergency packages, IOM Iraq also distributed 250 food packages and 250 hygiene kits provided by WFP and UNICEF respectively.

The food packages provided by WFP included dietary staples to last a family for one month. The hygiene kits provided by UNICEF included two jerry cans and essential sanitary items.

IOM Iraq organized the distribution after its Rapid Assessment Response Team (RART) assessed the situation in Al-Shikhan and identified the 250 families in greatest need of assistance. Most of these families are living in schools, mosques, and private homes.

In the past week, several hundred thousand IDPs have fled from Ninewa governorate to Iraqi Kurdistan. IOM is working with the Kurdish authorities and the UN to find ways to provide them with basic necessities.

In the coming days, IOM will continue to distribute essential emergency items to more of the most vulnerable families in the area.

IOM, in coordination with partner UN agencies and NGOs, is appealing to donors for immediate support in responding to the rapidly deteriorating

humanitarian situation. It is asking for USD 15 million in new funds to provide non-food relief items and tents, and to implement its displacement tracking (DTM) in the affected areas.

For more information please contact

Mandie Alexander 
IOM Baghdad
Email: malexander@iom.int
Tel. +9647826504200