Iraqis are streaming out of cities in Anbar province at a rate not seen since the height of the civil war more than six years ago, the United Nations has said.
More than 140,000 people have fled deadly clashes between security forces and anti-government fighters in Falluja and Ramadi over the past month, the UNHCR said on Friday. In all, 65,000 have left this week alone.
"This is the largest displacement Iraq has witnessed since the sectarian violence of 2006-08," said the UN refugee agency spokesman Peter Kessler, adding that the figures were compiled by the Iraqi government.
"Many civilians are unable to leave conflict-affected areas where food and fuel are now in short supply," Kessler added.
Thousands of the displaced have fled to Baghdad and other nearby provinces, but some have travelled as far as the northern Kurdish region, according to the UNHCR.
"People are reportedly without money for food and lack suitable clothing for the rainy conditions. Children are not in school and sanitary conditions, particularly for women, are inadequate," Kessler added.
