The United Nations has declared its highest level of emergency in Iraq, as a humanitarian crisis follows the rapid advance by Islamic State militants in the north.
Kurdish officials said the situation in Dohuk city, with 150-thousand refugees, was now critical.
But the US said a rescue mission to aid thousands who fled to Mount Sinjar was unlikely, as it had found fewer people and better conditions than expected
The UN estimates that 1-point-2 million Iraqis have been internally displaced.
The three other countries that have the same emergency status are Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
