Unicef: Iraqi Yazidis 'in desperate need for food and water'

A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Iraq, a worker for the UN children's fund, Unicef, in Irbil has warned.

Thousands of refugees from the Yazidi religious minority are trapped on a mountainside, hiding from jihadist fighters from the Islamic State (IS).

Juliette Touma said 56 children had died already - 16 of them had been buried on the mountainside.

The US has dropped food and water for the refugees there and launched some air strikes against IS militants.