Supplies being checked before being air-dropped over northern Iraq. Credit: Cpl Neil Bryden RAF/MoD/Crown Copyright.
The Government has released the following statement
The situation in Northern Iraq remains deeply worrying and we condemn the barbaric attacks waged by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) terrorists across the region. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced across the region and in need of aid supplies.
The UK government response is focused on 3 objectives:
- alleviating the humanitarian suffering of those Iraqis targeted by ISILterrorists
- promoting an inclusive, sovereign and democratic Iraq that can push back on ISIL advances and restore stability and security across the country
- working with the international community to tackle the broader threat thatISIL poses to the region and other countries around the world
Regular meetings of COBR are taking place: read updates and statements.
Defence Secretary meets personnel assisting in the humanitarian mission
In a visit to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon met British military personnel and thanked them for their hard work in providing humanitarian aid to the people in Iraq.
UK humanitarian aid air drops have been run out of Akrotiri, as have surveillance flights. Also supporting the humanitarian mission is the recent deployment of the Rivet Joint intelligence gathering aircraft by providing operational and tactical level intelligence.
Read more about the Defence Secretary’s visit.
UK aid in Northern Iraq
Our focus remains the humanitarian situation. The UK has so far committed £13 million in new assistance in response to the crisis in Iraq.
We are providing aid to displaced Iraqis currently living in refugee camps across northern Iraq and to the 12,000 Yazidis who have escaped from Mount Sinjar to a refugee camp over the Syrian border.
There are approximately half a million displaced people in the Dahuk region of northern Iraq – 200,000 since the beginning of August. Those arriving at camps have travelled for days without food and water in 50 degree temperatures.
Two more UK aid flights carrying emergency food and tents for displaced Iraqi families and essential kit to ensure aid workers can distribute supplies quickly and safely have now departed Dubai for northern Iraq.
This brings to six the total number of Department for International Development-chartered cargo flights into the Iraqi city of Erbil delivering aid supplies for people cut off from their homes and living in makeshift camps across the Dahuk region of northern Iraq. One of last night’s flights was carrying 515 tents that will provide shelter for 2,575 people.
In addition, the UK delivered 8,000 kitchen sets which include cutlery, cooking pots, plates, frying pans, cups and wooden spoons to Erbil on Saturday 16 August. These sets will enable almost 40,000 people, who currently have to queue at makeshift canteens, to cook for themselves and feed their families.
The RAF has also made seven successful air drops of UK aid over Mount Sinjar including water containers, solar lamps and shelter kits.
Read more about the latest UK aid delivery of tents and essential kit for aid workers
Infographic: How the UK is supporting those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Iraq
United Nations Security Council
The UK led efforts at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a strong international response to the broader threat posed by ISIL terrorists.
On 15 August the UNSC passed resolution 2170 to:
- disrupt ISIL’s financing flows
- sanction those who are seeking to recruit to ISIL
- encourage countries to do all they can to prevent foreign fighters joiningISIL
