The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says he's "deeply appalled" by reports of attacks by Islamic militants which has forced up to 200-thousand people to flee in to the mountains in Northern Iraq.
The U.N. Security Council is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
The White House is understood to be strongly considering plans to provide food and water for tens of thousands of people who have fled to the mountains.
Islamist militants are trying to gain ground in the region - forcing Christians, Shias, and Yazidis out of their homes.
U.S. President Barack Obama is reported to be considering airstrikes in the north of the country to clear the way for emergency airdrops.
