Kate Osamor MP, Labour’s Shadow International Development Secretary, responding to UN warnings that the Mosul offensive could unleash the largest single humanitarian crisis of the year, said:

“As the combined offensive of the Iraqi government and Kurdish forces against the Daesh occupation of Mosul makes important progress, everything possible must be done to safeguard the lives of the hundreds of thousands of civilians who live there.

"The needs of women, men and children fleeing Mosul, as well as those trapped inside the city, need to be addressed urgently in order to prevent a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the area.

"It is important that all sides engaged in this conflict take every step possible to ensure that civilian lives are not put in peril and provide unfettered access to humanitarian aid.”

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