ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—As the battle for Fallujah rages on, the city is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster. More than 20,000 people have fled Fallujah since Iraqi forces launched their operation to retake the city from the Islamic State at the end of May, according to the United Nations who estimates that up to 90,000 may remain trapped in the city. Those who have been able to escape the city paint a bleak picture of life in the city. “The fighting was all around us. They didn’t care. They bombed the way they wanted to. There is no consideration for the population,” said Um Muhannad who escaped at night with a group of families, including young children. “We were hiding in the fields. The children were barefoot. There were snakes. Most of the children were only 2 or 3 months old. We had to keep them quiet so that we wouldn’t be heard.” But even though they are out of Fallujah, they are still suffering in oppressive heat in camps with few supplies. “We are dying of the heat,” says Ghariba who is with her ill granddaughter. “There is no air conditioners. There are no services at all.” Aid agencies such as the International Committee for the Red Cross/Red Crescent (ICRC) are trying to help. “We know that thousands are stuck in the city centre of Fallujah and they are unable to leave,” said Malek Baklouti, with ICRC’s branch delivering relief aid to Anbar Province. “The humanitarian and medical situation is deteriorating and this is extremely worrying for us.” Video courtesy of ICRC.
