Iraq, Mosul: Civilians must be protected as fighting intensifies

As fighting intensifies in and around the Iraqi city of Mosul, over 1 million people could be forced to flee their homes.

While people must have the right to flee, many may choose to stay at home, rather than risk life and limb on a dangerous journey to an unknown destination.

Under international humanitarian law, all fighting parties must verify that targets are indeed military objects and do all they can to avoid injury to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Health care facilities and personnel must be safe. Explosive weapons with a wide impact area should be avoided in densely populated areas.

Katharina Ritz, ICRC Head of Delegation, Iraq states: “Our main concern today is for the civilian population - the people, the children . They might try to flee and be caught in the crossfire. We call on all the parties to respect and protect them, to help them access safe areas.”

Whether people stay in Mosul or flee, they must have access to the basic necessities for survival: food, water and shelter. 

Ritz says: “We can, over the coming months, assist up to 800,000 people with food. We also have a high stock of material - kitchen utensils, tarpaulins or blankets - what people need when they have to leave in such a rush and cannot take anything with them. We are committed to do our utmost to assist the civilians and the wounded and the sick. In parallel we will also not forget all the displaced in Anbar and in Salahuddin who are still also in need of humanitarian assistance.”

Shotlist

Location: Iraq
Length: 1:24
Format: HD H264 mov
Sound: English
Ref: AV550N

SOUNDBITE Katharina Ritz, ICRC Head of Delegation, Iraq (in English):

00:00 – 00:03 “Our main concern today is for the civilian population.
00:03 – 00:13 The military operation has started in Mosul and I am quite sure that the civilians, the people, the children - they are very worried and they might try to flee
00:13 – 00:15 and be caught in fighting in the crossfire
00:15 – 00:22 We call on all the parties to respect and protect them, to help them access safe areas.
00:22 – 00:29 We can over the coming months assist up to 800,000 people with food
00:29 – 00:34 but we also have a high stock of material with kitchen utensils, tarpaulins or blankets - what people need when they have to leave in such a rush and cannot take anything with them.
00:40 – 00:47 We are committed to do our utmost to assist the civilians and the wounded and the sick.
00:47 – 00:58 In parallel we will also not forget all the displaced in Anbar and in Salahuddin who are still also in need of humanitarian assistance."

00:58 – 01:00 Shot of displaced people in Bazebz bridge
01:01 – 01:08 Various shots of children and people in Amiriyat Al Fallujah camps.
01:09 – 01:12 Close shot of ICRC food parcels in camps
01:13 – 01:22 Different shots of ICRC warehouse in Erbil
01:23 – 01:25 Drone shot in Amiriyat Al Fallujah Camp
01:26 – 01:26 Close-up of ICRC food parcels in camps