UN Damage Assessment Shows Extensive Destruction in Western Mosul [EN/AR/KU]

(Baghdad, 13 April 2017): The most recent assessment from UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, confirms that extensive damage has occurred in western Mosul.

More than 1140 housing sites have been destroyed across the city. Using satellite imagery and information from local researches, UN-Habitat confirms that damage to houses is two and a half times greater in western Mosul than in eastern districts. One-third of residential damage is reported in Al Jadeda neighborhood in western Mosul.

“The level of damage in western Mosul is already far greater than in the east, even before the battle to retake the Old City begins,” said Lise Grande, Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq. “Nearly 300,000 civilians have fled western Mosul. Hundreds of thousands more may in the days and weeks ahead.”

“Homes are being destroyed. Schools and health centres are damaged and crucial public infrastructure including electricity and water stations are in ruins,” said Ms. Grande. “Under international humanitarian law, parties to the conflict are obliged to do everything possible to protect civilians and limit damage to civilian infrastructure. Nothing is more important.”

For further information, please contact:

Damian Rance, Communications Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Iraq, (rance@un.org)