Brussels, 25/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Seriously concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and notably the massive displacement of civilians caused by the fighting, the EU called on the Iraqi government on 23 June to respect humanitarian law. In the conclusions adopted in Luxembourg by the EU foreign affairs ministers, the Council calls on the Iraqi government “to make every effort to protect all civilians, ensure a response to the needs of the affected populations, provide essential services and facilitate the safe and unhindered passage for civilians fleeing the violence and safe access for humanitarian actors”.
The EU hopes that the Kurdistan regional government, which is hosting a large number of displaced persons, will continue to respond to the needs of these people. On 20 June, the EU pledged a further €5 million in its humanitarian assistance to Iraq, which brings the EU's humanitarian funding for Iraq to €12 million since January (see EUROPE 11105). The EU is ready to do more if developments in the situation on the ground require it. (AN)