UN increases efforts to help displaced Iraqis

UN agencies have stepped up efforts to meet the increasing needs of the people displaced by the on-going violence in Iraq, media reported Friday.

Islamic insurgents Tuesday seized Iraq's second largest city of Mosul, capital of Nineveh province, following days of fighting against Iraqi government forces, Xinhua reported.

As many as 500,000 people have reportedly fled Mosul.

On Wednesday, terrorists kidnapped the consul general of Turkey and several consulate staff working in the city, which drew international condemnation.

The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) said that up to half of the estimated 500,000 people, who have fled since June 5, are children.

"Unicef and partners are prioritising the delivery of emergency aid, including immunizations to help prevent diseases such as polio and measles," a UN spokesman said Thursday.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that in parts of the disputed areas between Iraq and Kurdistan there is no food available in shops nor are there services such as electricity and water.

"WFP is providing food assistance to some 42,000 of the most vulnerable displaced people. An airlift of emergency food and other supplies is planned from the WFP-run UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai and another flight with more emergency relief supplies is planned from Italy," the spokesman said.

The UN Refugee Agency has immediately stepped up its efforts to provide shelter, protection and emergency supplies to displaced families.

Some 1,000 UNHCR tents have been delivered, and Unicef and partners are coordinating emergency water and sanitation activities for the camp.