Oxfam flies out aid experts to Iraq

International agency Oxfam today flew out a seven strong team of experts to Iraq to set up an aid program to help thousands of people forced to flee their homes in recent days. The team will be initially based in the Kurdistan region of Irbil, northern Iraq.

"With over 500,000 people forced to flee their homes in a very short space of time there is an immediate need to make sure people have a roof over their heads, food and essential services such as water and sanitation. We have years of experience of helping people in such crises and helping them get back on their feet. We will quickly establish how best Oxfam can help along with many other local and international agencies who are already helping," said team leader Wael Ibrahim.