Berlin, Aug 14 (IANS): Germany announced Wednesday to increase its humanitarian aid for Iraq and signalled willingness to take further measures to improve the situation in the conflict-torn country.
Germany will provide an additional 20 million euros ($26.7 million) in humanitarian aid for refugees in northern Iraq, Xinhua quoted an official statement as saying.
The focus of the aid is currently on the supply of drinking water to refugees, protection of children and young people as well as cooperation with the World Food Programme, the statement said.
The government has already announced 4.4 million euros ($5.9 million) in emergency relief measures for Iraqis threatened by Sunni extremists of the Islamic State (IS).
Apart from humanitarian aid, the German government has been also considering whether other measures could be taken to help those in need, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday.
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen Tuesday said that in addition to humanitarian assistance, the country could possibly send non-lethal equipment, such as armoured vehicles, helmets and vests, to support Iraq in its fight against the advance of the IS insurgents.