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Thursday, September 22, 2016

UK in £40m Iraq aid boost ahead of Islamic State assault

The UK is stepping up humanitarian efforts in northern Iraq to provide food, shelter and water ahead of a major Iraqi-led operation to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State.
The move, which is the latest in a series of UK aid measures for Iraq, has been announced by International Development Secretary Priti Patel, who attended the UN General Assembly with Theresa May.
Ms Patel urged the international community to follow the UK's lead in preparing for the humanitarian situation that is likely to follow military operations, so that the people of Mosul are helped swiftly, effectively and safely.
The United Nations estimates that up to 1.5 million people could be affected by operations in Mosul and will be in need of support in the form of food, shelter, sanitation and safety.   
Priti Patel MP
Image Caption:The aid was announced by International Development Secretary Priti Patel
Announcing the aid boost, Ms Patel said: "As an outward looking, globally-engaged nation, the UK is committed to supporting the people of Mosul and military efforts to destroy Daesh (another name for IS). 
"A safer and more stable Iraq is in everyone's interest.
"The people of Iraq have suffered greatly at the hands of Daesh and in efforts to liberate them from this brutality we should not let them go through further undue misery."
The Government says UK aid in Iraq has so far helped:
:: Provide food for more than 70,000 people
:: Ensure more than 80,000 people received essential household items
:: Provide water and sanitation assistance for more than 200,000 people
:: Deliver cash assistance to almost 16,000 people 
The UN launched a flash appeal in July for $284m (£218m) to prepare for the humanitarian impact of operations in Mosul.
The Department for International Development's £40m is focused specifically on humanitarian assistance ahead of Mosul operations, and the department has committed £169.5m of humanitarian support since 2014.
The Government says investing in preparedness ahead of a predictable crisis is good value for money, as rapid responses save more lives and are less costly. 
Delayed interventions are more expensive and less likely to have the same impact, according to DFID.

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