Toby Perkins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-06-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Fallujah.

Sir Desmond Swayne

The UK is concerned by reports of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Fallujah. The UN estimates that up to 90,000 civilians may be trapped inside the city and surrounding areas. We call on all sides to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and to ensure free, unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies.

Since June 2014, the UK has committed £79.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq. The UK is the largest contributor to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, through which we are funding projects to support those leaving Fallujah. Our humanitarian partners continue to engage with the Government of Iraq, civil and military authorities to find ways of reaching civilians.