When fighting in the central Iraqi city of Ramadi forced thousands of people to flee their houses, they look for refuge in safer areas in the country, particularly in Al Amiriyah Fallujah and Al Khalidiya in Al Anbar province. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society reported that more than 2,000 families were displaced, worsening the already fragile humanitarian situation. “The situation in the city is bad,” said Abu Ahmed, who was displaced by recent violence. “We witnessed many people losing their lives because of the exchange of fire.” The Iraqi Red Crescent dispatched aid convoys but recent rounds of fighting put an additional strain on the resources of the National Society, which was already providing urgent support for more than 2,500 families who had fled to the cities of Habbaniyah, Fallujah and Husaibah the month before.

Related

‘I was afraid’

Migrants often have a lot to be afraid of as they struggle to get by in new surroundings: Arrest. Deportation. Violence. Theft. But building and maintaining trust is possible, say experts. They share their advice in this short, selfie-style video.

Season of rain, season of tragedy

From Ebola to disasters, the Ugandan Red Cross is used to responding to a wide range of crises. In western Uganda, for example, the Red Cross has been helping a growing number of people displaced by catastrophic yearly mudslides and floods.

Discover more stories

Get stories worth sharing delivered to your inbox

Want to stay up to date?

This might interest you...

Expert Sources: People with disabilities often forgotten during crisis

Are people with disabilities being left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Check it out