IRAQ — The United Nations launched an appeal this week for half a billion dollars in international aid to tackle a worsening humanitarian crisis in Iraq triggered by the conflict with “Islamic State” militants.

Lise Grande, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, said the United Nations would be forced to slash or shut down more than half its aid operations in Iraq without an immediate injection of new funds.

The world body said it was asking donors for $497 million to pay for shelter, food and water over the next six months for millions of Iraqis forced from their homes or otherwise affected by violence between Iraqi forces and “Islamic State” fighters.

“In the months ahead, the humanitarian situation is going to get worse … By the end of 2015, 10 million Iraqis are likely to need some form of life-saving assistance,” Grande said, launching the appeal at the European Parliament.

“Islamic State” fighters swept through north Iraq last June as Iraq’s army disintegrated. Their advance was contained by Shi’ite militias and Kurdish peshmerga fighters, backed by U.S.-led air strikes. 

Grande said more than 4.4 million Iraqis needed food as key agricultural areas, including large parts of Iraq’s cereal belt, had fallen under “Islamic State” control.

World Health Organisation Director-General Margaret Chan said public services for health, water, and sanitation, were collapsing.

“Crowded, unsanitary conditions bring a high risk of infectious diseases, especially for the millions who have been internally displaced … Cases of measles are now being reported from all 18 governorates. Cholera is endemic,” she said.