$60 million needed to keep open Iraq health centres

The World Health Organisation is appealing for $60 million dollars to keep open vital health centres in conflict areas of Iraq.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said the organisation fears it will be unable to continue supporting 77 health centres, including 12 mobile clinics that are on the verge of closing. The facilities make up 88 percent of health projects in conflict areas of the country.

With temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius in some parts of Iraq, and about 3 million fleeing violence the impact would be disastrous.

"Poor access to healthcare and internally displaced people forced to live in tents, has caused a rise in disease, namely dehydration and diarrhoea," said the spokesperson.

The money will also enable the WHO to provide life-saving medicines, Lindmeier said.

Statistics from the International Organisation for Migration show 3,087,372 Iraqis have now been displaced across Iraq's 18 governorates.

"The continuing displacement in Iraq is deeply concerning. We are reinforcing our capacity in non-food item kits and shelter provision, health and psychosocial services, and livelihoods assistance in order to respond," said IOM Iraq Chief of Mission Thomas Lothar Weiss