ICRC visits about 1,300 women and children of 20 nationalities in Iraq

ICRC visits about 1,300 women and children of 20 nationalities in Iraq
# 10 November 2017 08:09 (UTC +04:00)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visits and provides humanitarian assistance to some 1,300 women and children of around 20 nationalities who are in Iraq, near Mosul, Ilaha Huseynova, head of the Communication Department of the ICRC Azerbaijan Delegation told APA.

She noted that the ICRC responds to their immediate humanitarian needs, including the provision of food, hygiene items, medical treatment, as well as improved access to water and sanitation.

“We try to reestablish contact between these individuals and their families in other countries. Additionally, we are registering all unaccompanied children and following up with authorities to assist with a determination of their best interests. Finally, foreign nationals visited by the ICRC have the possibility – with their consent – to be notified to their respective diplomatic representation,” added Huseynova.

Regarding repatriation and return, Huseynova said. “This is a bilateral matter between the Iraqi government and the countries of origin of these people. It is important though that any returns are carried out after an individual examination of each case and that people are treated with the necessary respect for their safety and personal dignity.”

Earlier, a member of the Iraqi parliament Vian Dakhil tweeted that “512 Russian and 200 Azerbaijani women as ISIS members were captured and incarcerated by Iraqi forces.”

The facts concerning detention of Azerbaijani women in Iraq are being investigated, Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, told APA on Nov. 9.

Hajiyev said that such statements are not new.

"Facts are being investigated and studied. The Azerbaijani side is in constant contact with the relevant Iraqi authorities through the embassy in Iraq on this issue,” he concluded.

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