The United Nations has said more than 68,000 residents have been displaced, since Iraqi forces launched its offensive against the Islamic State militant group in Mosul last month.

The figure falls short of expectations as the UN initially predicted the displacement of as many as 200,000. Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said handling the current number of displaced families shouldn't be difficult, amid claims from the UN that humanitarian needs are severe.

The UN said the majority of the displaced are being sheltered in camps, whose capacity is being increased on a daily basis, and is expected to reach around half a million by mid-December.