Violence in Iraq's Anbar Province is forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.
International aid group Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said that in the last month more than 18,000 people have sought refuge in Tikrit, the capital of neighboring Salah al-Din Province.
Most of the refugees are women and children, with many suffering from wounds, burns, and psychological distress caused by the fighting.
MSF head of mission in Iraq, Fabio Forgione, said the security situation in Tikrit is "highly volatile," making it difficult for the group to distribute aid and provide medical attention.
Anbar has been hit by a surge in fighting since late last year, particularly around the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. The violence is at its worst since 2008.
The recently displaced persons add to the more than 1.1 million Iraqis unable to return to areas that experienced extreme violence from 2006 to 2008.
International aid group Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said that in the last month more than 18,000 people have sought refuge in Tikrit, the capital of neighboring Salah al-Din Province.
Most of the refugees are women and children, with many suffering from wounds, burns, and psychological distress caused by the fighting.
MSF head of mission in Iraq, Fabio Forgione, said the security situation in Tikrit is "highly volatile," making it difficult for the group to distribute aid and provide medical attention.
Anbar has been hit by a surge in fighting since late last year, particularly around the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. The violence is at its worst since 2008.
The recently displaced persons add to the more than 1.1 million Iraqis unable to return to areas that experienced extreme violence from 2006 to 2008.
