Infant dies of hunger as food shortages bites at Mosul refugee camps
An Iraqi special forces soldier helps a family carry their child to cross from Islamic State controlled part of Mosul to Iraqi forces controlled part of Mosul, Iraq, March 4, 2017. Picture taken March 4, 2017. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY – RTS11IXU
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) A six-month-old girl died of hunger at a refugee camp in Mosul as the dilemma persists for hundreds of thousands of Iraqis displaced by battles between Islamic State militants and government troops.
A medical source told Almaalomah website that the infant died at Hammam al-Alil refugee camp in southeast Mosul as foodstuff, especially baby milk, remain short of demand.
The United Nations and Iraqi migration officials say at least half a million persons have been displaced since Iraqi forces launched a major offensive to retake Mosul from IS fighters in October. Forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, continue to clear the western region, claiming the recapture of at least 70 percent of that region.
Refugees have reportedly suffered medical and foodstuff shortages at refugee camps, while at least 400.000 others are believed to be stranded in the middle of fighting in western Mosul, enduring similar hardships. The United Nations said earlier this month that the situation could turn into the “worst humanitarian catastrophe” in the war against IS.
According to Iraqi government counts, more than four million Iraqis have been displaced since Islamic State militants emerged in 2014 to proclaim an “Islamic Caliphate” in large parts in Iraq and Syria.