Iraqi civilians are facing an "ever-worsening crisis" as the humanitarian and security situation in the country deteriorates, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.
"It's clear for us that the humanitarian situation is steadily worsening and affecting in one way or another, directly or indirectly, all Iraqis today," said the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Kraehenbuehl.
"Protecting Iraq's civilian population is a major priority and should be everyone's priority," he told journalists.
The ICRC urged all those involved in the conflict, both state and non-state actors, to urgently respect international humanitarian law and not target civilians.
Kraehenbuehl said the worsening security situation was causing "overlapping effects" of hardship for the civilian population, with medical care deteriorating as doctors flee the country.
The Iraqi health ministry estimates that half of the country's doctors have left, he said.
In addition, many injured people do not even seek out medical treatment as they do not wish to leave their families for fear of either being kidnapped en route or in hospital, or leaving their relatives in a vulnerable situation, he added.
"The suffering that Iraqi men, women and children are enduring today is unbearable and unacceptable. Their lives and dignity are continuously under threat," Kraehenbuehl said.
"Much more has to be done" by all parties, including US and other foreign troops, to improve the situation and ensure that civilians' rights are respected, he added.
