US steps up aid to Iraq refugees
The United States on Tuesday assigned another $20 million to help Iraqis displaced by the fight against the Islamic State group.
Citing UN figures, State Department spokesman John Kirby said 85,000 people have fled the city of Fallujah during a month-long offensive by US-backed Iraqi government forces.
"And I would note that more than 3.3 million Iraqis have been internally displaced since 2014. More are expected to flee in the coming days and weeks," Kirby said.
A displaced Iraqi family arrives at a safe zone on June 17, 2016 in Amiriyiah al-Fallujah, after Iraqi government forces evacuated civilians from Fallujah due to their ongoing military operation to retake the city from the Islamic State group ©Moadh Al-Dulaimi (AFP/File)
The extra US assistance, part of a larger package to be announced later this year, will be given to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to set up camps to shelter and feed the displaced.
