Iraq - The Government of Kuwait has donated USD 4 million to support IOM’s assistance to Iraqis displaced by military operations in Mosul.

Some 106,692 Iraqis have been displaced by Mosul operations since 17 October 2016. Many are in desperate need of life-saving humanitarian assistance, especially in the cold winter weather and rains.

Kuwait’s Consul General to Iraq’s Kurdistan Region Dr. Omar Al-Kanderi said: “Assisting families displaced by Mosul operations is a priority for Kuwait. We are pleased to be cooperating with IOM on how to most effectively use this funding to provide for the immediate needs of the displaced.”

Kuwait’s humanitarian action is part of the initiative “Kuwait Stands by You”, launched by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to alleviate the suffering of people displaced by the fighting.

The funding will pay for essential winter supplies including fuel, warm clothing, blankets, mattresses, medical supplies and equipment for “saje” bread making. In addition to funding, Kuwait will also be providing an in-kind donation of 2,000 tents for IOM’s Emergency Sites, which are currently hosting over 12,400 displaced people.

Kuwait previously supported IOM’s response to the current crisis in Iraq, providing fuel and winter non-food relief item (NFI) kits, including blankets, heaters, mattresses, and carpets.

IOM Iraq Chief of Mission Thomas Lothar Weiss said: “Kuwait’s generous donation will directly assist the most vulnerable Iraqis affected by Mosul operations. We look forward to working together and expanding our emergency response to meet the urgent needs of the displaced, especially during the cold winter weather.”

More than 106,600 individuals are currently displaced as a result of Mosul operations, which began on 17 October. This figure represents an increase of roughly 7,300 individuals in the last week (since 16 December). Over 57,600 of them are from the sub-district of Markaz Mosul, where Mosul City is located.

The majority of the displaced are from Mosul district (78 percent, around 83,340 individuals). Others are coming from the districts of Hatra (12 percent, over 12,700 individuals); Tilkaif (6 percent, over 6,200 individuals); Al-Hamdaniya (3 percent, over 2,800 individuals); Telefar (1 percent, nearly 1,200 individuals), and Makhmur (less than 1 percent, over 300 individuals).

The Mosul Corridor Displacement Analysis is available here:

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/press_release/file/IOM_Iraq_DTM-...

The latest DTM Mosul Operations Data Snapshot dated Dec 20, can be downloaded here:

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/press_release/file/IOM_Iraq-DTM-...

The latest Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Emergency Tracking figures on displacement from Mosul operations are available at: http://iraqdtm.iom.int/EmergencyTracking.aspx

For further information please contact IOM Iraq.

Sandra Black, Tel. +964 751 234 2550, Email: sblack@iom.int or 

Hala Jaber, Tel. +964 751 740 1654, Email: hjaberbent@iom.int