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Iraq: UN sounds alarm on humanitarian crisis Iraq: UN sounds alarm on humanitarian crisis
(about 1 hour later)
The UN has declared its highest level of emergency in Iraq as a humanitarian crisis follows the rapid advance by Islamic State militants in the north.The UN has declared its highest level of emergency in Iraq as a humanitarian crisis follows the rapid advance by Islamic State militants in the north.
Kurdish officials said the situation in Dohuk province, with 150,000 refugees, was now critical. Kurdish officials said the situation in Dohuk city, with 150,000 refugees, was now critical.
But the US said a rescue mission to aid thousands who fled to Mt Sinjar was unlikely as it had found fewer people and better conditions than expectedBut the US said a rescue mission to aid thousands who fled to Mt Sinjar was unlikely as it had found fewer people and better conditions than expected
The UN estimates that 1.2 million Iraqis have been internally displaced.The UN estimates that 1.2 million Iraqis have been internally displaced.
The three other countries that have the same emergency status are Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.The three other countries that have the same emergency status are Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Speeding up responseSpeeding up response
The declaration by the UN of a "Level 3 Emergency" would "facilitate mobilisation of additional resources in goods, funds and assets to ensure a more effective response to the humanitarian needs of populations affected by forced displacements", said UN special representative Nickolay Mladenov.The declaration by the UN of a "Level 3 Emergency" would "facilitate mobilisation of additional resources in goods, funds and assets to ensure a more effective response to the humanitarian needs of populations affected by forced displacements", said UN special representative Nickolay Mladenov.
The situation of displaced people on Mount Sinjar remained critical, he said.The situation of displaced people on Mount Sinjar remained critical, he said.
The UN had estimated that tens of thousands of people, most from the Christian and Yazidi religious minorities, were besieged on the mountain after being forced to flee their homes.The UN had estimated that tens of thousands of people, most from the Christian and Yazidi religious minorities, were besieged on the mountain after being forced to flee their homes.
US forces conducted a brief mission to Mt Sinjar to assess the situation after days of international concern.US forces conducted a brief mission to Mt Sinjar to assess the situation after days of international concern.
It found fewer people than expected and that those remaining were also in a better condition than feared - partly because thousands had left the mountain each night over the past days.It found fewer people than expected and that those remaining were also in a better condition than feared - partly because thousands had left the mountain each night over the past days.
It said it would continue to provide humanitarian assistance there. Planes have been dropping aid supplies on Mount Sinjar for several nights.It said it would continue to provide humanitarian assistance there. Planes have been dropping aid supplies on Mount Sinjar for several nights.
The US said it conducted its seventh air-drop of food and water on Wednesday, and had delivered more than 114,000 meals and 35,000 gallons (160,000 litres) of drinking water to those trapped.The US said it conducted its seventh air-drop of food and water on Wednesday, and had delivered more than 114,000 meals and 35,000 gallons (160,000 litres) of drinking water to those trapped.
Kurdish officials in the province of Dohuk told the BBC's Frank Gardner that there are 150,000 refugees there, overwhelming the local population who are trying to feed them. They need tents, food and water. Kurdish officials in Dohuk told the BBC's Frank Gardner that there are 150,000 refugees there, overwhelming the local population who are trying to feed them. They need tents, food and water.
The US has also continued to conduct air strikes on IS targets in Iraq's north.The US has also continued to conduct air strikes on IS targets in Iraq's north.
In another development, the governor of Anbar province - large parts of which have been under militant control for months - has asked for US air support and other assistance, Reuter reports.
The agency said Ahmed Khalaf al-Dulaimi feared opponents of Islamic State in the vast and predominantly Sunni province may not have the stamina for a long fight.
France says it will arm Iraq's Kurds, who are already getting US military aid to fight IS. Meanwhile, the UK has pledged to join a rescue mission for displaced civilians.France says it will arm Iraq's Kurds, who are already getting US military aid to fight IS. Meanwhile, the UK has pledged to join a rescue mission for displaced civilians.
The rapid advance across Iraq by Islamic State fighters has thrown the country into chaos.The rapid advance across Iraq by Islamic State fighters has thrown the country into chaos.
On 29 June, IS said it had created a caliphate, or Islamic state, stretching from Aleppo in Syria to the province of Diyala in Iraq.On 29 June, IS said it had created a caliphate, or Islamic state, stretching from Aleppo in Syria to the province of Diyala in Iraq.