President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer (L) speaks at a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 4, 2019. Peter Maurer said on Monday that Iraq still faces massive humanitarian challenges as 1.8 million people remain displaced within Iraq more than a year after major combat operations against Islamic States (IS) ended. (Xinhua)
BAGHDAD, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer said on Monday that Iraq still faces massive humanitarian challenges as 1.8 million people remain displaced within Iraq more than a year after major combat operations against Islamic States (IS) ended.
In a press conference held at the Baghdad office of the ICRC, Maurer said "the hostilities have ended, but it doesn't mean humanitarian issues do not persist."
During his fourth visit to Iraq, Maurer met with top Iraqi officials, including Iraqi President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.
Maurer confirmed the determination of ICRC to stay engaged in Iraq, asserting the need to continue humanitarian work in the country.
When asked about the reports of alleged sexual abuses against women and children from the so-called IS families detained in camps in Iraq, Maurer said "from what we see in our work and from all the indications we have, we have to give credibility to those reports," adding that it is "very difficult" to give an idea of the figures and dimensions of the problem.
Maurer also noted the importance of addressing the psychological needs of those affected by violence in Iraq, saying "we have to recognize that the society and each individual have to be attended in their needs and their psychological needs."
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement, some 5 million Iraqis have been displaced from urban areas since the extremist IS group took control of large swathes in the provinces of Anbar, Salahudin, Kirkuk and Diyala in 2014.
According to figures from the organization, ICRC rehabilitated 47 water systems in Iraq in 2018, helping some 2.5 million people gain better access to clean water.
On Dec. 9, 2017, Iraq officially declared full liberation from IS militants after Iraqi forces recaptured all areas once seized by the extremist group.
