United Nations, May 19 (IANS): More than 6,500 families have been displaced as the Islamic State (IS) militant group has reached the Iraqi city of Ramadi, deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said here on Monday.

Among the 6,500 families that have fled Ramadi, capital of Iraq's largest province Anbar, over 3,300 families have moved towards the Fallujah area and more than 2,300 families travelled towards the Khalidiyah area, Xinhua quoted Haq as saying.

Khaldiyah Hospital has reported receiving many casualties, and the local authorities have requested assistance from the international agencies, Haq said.

UN agencies and humanitarian partners have responded by dispatching food rations, family food packages, tents, sanitation and water kits, conducting joint delivery missions and assessing the needs of families who have fled to safety, Haq added.

The city of Ramadi has been engulfed in fierce battle recently. The IS on Sunday took full control of the city. On Monday, Iraqi security forces and allied Shia and Sunni militias were preparing for a major counter-offensive to recapture Ramadi.