Exodus from Fallujah as thousands flee Isis in 'humanitarian disaster'

More than 80,000 civilians have left the Iraqi city of Fallujah following a four-week battle with Iraqi and coalition forces, according to the United Nations. It is expected that a further 25,000 civilians will also leave.

The Norwegian Refugee Council says that aid workers are battling to provide medicine, water and food for those sleeping in overcrowded camps set up by the Iraqi government. Many people are sleeping in the open, without shelter, in temperatures reaching up to 47C (117F).

"Food is scarce," said Um Ahmed, who is still living in Fallujah with her family. "We have mostly been relying on dates for our meals."

"The overwhelming number of people that have come out of Fallujah has actually overwhelmed our ability to respond to the people in need," said Nasr Muflahi from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). One site hosting around 1,800 people has only one toilet facility, according to the aid agency.

"We implore the Iraqi government to take charge of this humanitarian disaster unfolding on our watch," he added.

Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's prime minister, declared victory for Iraq on Friday, 17 June, after forces gained control of much of the city, wrested from Isis after fierce and bloody battles. "We promised to liberate Fallujah, and it has returned to the embrace of the nation," he said in an AP report.

The Iraqi army claims to have regained control of Fallujah General Hospital. However, Islamic State forces are still in possession of about 20% of the city and are encamped in the northern districts. Amaq News Agency, IS's media outlet, reported on Sunday, 19 June, that about 50 Iraqi troops had been killed and four army vehicles destroyed in "fierce fighting" with Isis (Daesh) near the hospital in the north-east of the city.

According to a CNN crew who accompanied troops into the city on Saturday, the battle with IS is far from over, with gun battles still taking place and deserted buildings boobytrapped with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some civilians have also reportedly been used as human shields by IS to slow the advance of government forces.