UN sounds alarm on humanitarian crisis in Iraq

The UN has declared its highest level of emergency in Iraq as a humanitarian crisis follows the rapid advance by Islamic State militants in the north.



Kurdish officials said the situation in Dohuk city, with 150,000 refugees, was now critical.



However, the US said a rescue mission to aid thousands who fled to Mount Sinjar was unlikely as it had found fewer people and better conditions than expected

The UN estimates that 1.2 million Iraqis have been internally displaced.



Three other countries have the same emergency status - Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.



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