The United Nations Iraq and the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement today launched an appeal to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the ongoing fighting in Anbar Province.

The Strategic Response Plan will benefit up to 240,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as those within host communities, and those stranded in conflict affected areas in Anbar province. The plan calls for USD 103.7 million to cover the provision of assistance in Non Food Items/Shelter, Protection, Health, Food, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, and Logistics.

"Since the beginning of the year the UN Humanitarian Agencies have been working in Anbar Province and across Iraq to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the fighting. UN and NGO resources however are diminishing rapidly as the crisis enters its third month. The Strategic Response Plan, if well resourced, will enable the UN and our partner agencies to continue supporting the humanitarian efforts of the local and national authorities”, said the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Nickolay Mladenov in his introductory remarks.

Mr. Mladenov spoke of the risks that the situation in Anbar presents for the rest of the country but also of the need for Iraqis to unite against the threat of terrorism. "Those fleeing the fighting have been welcomed in a true spirit of solidarity across the country -- in Karbala, Salah al Din, Erbil, Baghdad and elsewhere. The UN stands ready, once security has been restored, to work with the local authorities in reconstruction and rebuilding of livelihoods in Anbar as well as in addressing issues of political, social and economic inclusion" he said.