Iraq CRISIS Situation Report No. 45 (20 – 26 May 2015)

This report is produced by OCHA in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 20 – 26 May. Due to the rapidly changing situation it is possible that the numbers and locations listed in this report may no longer be accurate. The next report will be issued on or around 5 June.

Highlights

 Over 180,000 IDPs flee District since 8 April

 Restrictions on BzBiz Bridge eased; stranded residents move into and other governorates

 Humanitarian assistance and essential relief items continue to be deployed to sites hosting displaced Anbar residents

 Teams continue rapid assessments of camps and sites to better understand to Ramadi IDP needs

Map Source(s): IOM DTM 7 May 2015, Clusters, CODs. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Map created on 28 May 2015.

Situation Overview

Ramadi Displacement

Thousands of people continue to flee violence in in Iraq’s western Anbar Governorate. More than 85,000 people have been displaced from Ramadi since 15 May, the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported, the vast majority within Anbar Governorate. According to IOM, over 180,000 people have fled Ramadi since military operations and attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) escalated on 8 April.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to face difficulties exiting Anbar Governorate into the neighbouring governorates of Kerbala and , as well as into and other governorates. While restrictions into initially stranded thousands of IDPs at the BzBiz Bridge between Anbar and Baghdad governorates, locally sponsored IDPs were able to cross into the governorate from 21 May onwards. As of 24 May, Government authorities confirm some 40,000 IDPs had been granted access through the Bzbiz Bridge following verification of sponsorship.

+ For more information, see “background on the crisis” at the end of the report

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Movement restrictions near Governorate have also been eased. Some 400 IDP families (2,400 individuals) entered through the Taza checkpoint, with local sponsorship. On 25 May, the Governor of Kirkuk announced the re-opening of the Kirkuk-Baghdad highway which had been closed for nearly three months due to military operations. The highway is currently accessible only to small vehicles, taxis and buses for 12 hours a day for security reasons, according to public statements. Humanitarian actors welcome the re-opening of this road for civilian use, with the hope it will positively impact the normalization of commercial routes and freedom of movement for Iraqi civilians.

In Salah Al-Din Governorate, scores of families were denied access to , according to unconfirmed reports. . These families have moved to areas in District, and , .

Approximately 150 IDP families (900 individuals) remain stranded at the Kalar-Kuluju checkpoint between Sulaymaniyah and Diyala governorates as of 24 May. IDPs would only be allowed to enter the governorate if they agree to move to the Quarato IDP Camp, authorities in Kalar District, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, have reiterated. District authorities have also not permitted the installation of latrines in the vicinity of the checkpoint for fear of transforming the checkpoint into a permanent camp. To date, 81 displaced families (approximately 486 individuals) have relocated to the Quarato IDP camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, bringing the total number of families at the camp to 200.

Over the reporting period a number of UN joint assessments were carried out in Baghdad and Anbar governorates to undertake a rapid needs assessment of camp conditions and staging areas where IDPs gathered. Starting 25 May, UN agencies conducted several joint assessment missions to Abu-Ghraib District, Bzbiz Bridge and Habbaniya Tourist City in Anbar and Baghdad governorates.

In District, the assessment team cited inadequate sanitation facilities and the presence of skin and water-borne diseases, including a high incidence of diarrhoea amongst children under five years of age. Many of the IDP families in the area are female-headed households. The Primary Health Centre in is functional, although overwhelmed, and is unable to make referrals to the Abu Ghraib Hospital due to the lack of an attending physician. In Habbaniya Tourist City, the assessment team reported insufficient access to clean water, health services, proper sanitation, and emergency shelter. Full assessment reports have been shared with all clusters to ensure a coordinated response to identified needs. Local authorities continue to request assistance from the international community.

Humanitarian Response across Iraq

The United Nations and partners continued to deliver humanitarian assistance to people with acute and protracted needs in many parts of the country.

In Sulaymaniyah Governorate, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provided a water treatment plant to the Garmiyan Water Directorate for water treatment at the Tazade IDP camp. This complements the planned construction of a borehole and water network for the camp in the next four months. UNICEF procured 95 tons of liquid chlorine and 115 tons of aluminium sulphate for delivery to the Sulaymaniyah Water Directorate to support the water treatment system.

On 25 May, the Barznja IDP camp was officially handed over to local authorities in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. The camp, jointly built by the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), provides housing and basic social infrastructure for approximately 900 IDPs. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will identify IDP families willing to be relocated from the now overcrowded Arbat Camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

On 25 May, OCHA visited the Shikhan IDP camp in Ninewa Governorate to monitor progress of the recent relocation of 900 Yazidi families from unfinished buildings in District, Dahuk Governorate. The camp is at full capacity and is functional with all major services provided to new arrivals. Residents, however, have expressed concerns over the camp’s proximity to military frontlines. IDPs report garbage collection, as well as preparation for the approaching summer temperatures remain as issues that need to be addressed.

On 24 May, WHO and UNICEF launched a mass polio vaccination campaign targeting 5.7 million children under the age of 5 in Iraq. The campaign will be conducted in all governorates to maintain the country's polio-free status. The last case of polio was reported in Resafa District in Baghdad Governorate on 7 April 2014.

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On 21 May, the communal infrastructure of the Dawodiya IDP camp was handed over to local authorities in Dahuk Governorate. The camp, built jointly by UNDP, UN-Habitat and IOM, was established in January 2015 and currently hosts 680 families originally from Ninewa Governorate, including Telafar and districts.

In Dahuk Governorate, reports of five cases of H5N1 are currently being investigated by the Department of Health. OCHA will remain in close contact with WHO and Health Cluster colleagues to track any possible development of this situation.

There are now four UN Agencies, eleven INGOs and three national NGOs, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) working in Kirkuk Governorate. Of these, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Tearfund and International Medical Corps are now awaiting formal registration by local authorities. CRS is planning shelter and cash assistance projects. Tearfund is undertaking cash assistance activities.

Food Security Needs:  Food security remains a critical concern for residents and IDPs in Heet, , Ka'im and Ramadi districts, Anbar Governorate, as well as new IDPs in the town of Nkheeb in Rutba District. Priority food needs were reported for new and existing IDPs as well as returnees in District in Salah al-Din Governorate, in western and southern districts of Kirkuk Governorate, and Ba’quba District in Diyala Governorate.  Returnees to Muqdadiya District in Diyala Governorate are facing difficulties as a result of damaged infrastructure, including agriculture, livestock and irrigation systems. Most of the IDPs are farmers, making food supplies an additional need. Food, including milk for babies, is a priority for IDPs in Resafa and Tarmia districts in Baghdad Governorate.  Food supply needs persist for IDPs in the southern governorates of Kerbala, Missan, Basrah, Thi-Qar and . Baby milk and food supplies are required in , Qadissiya Governorate, while in new IDPs are in need of food supplies.

Response:  Food Security Cluster (FSC) partners are distributing daily Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) kits, including food, water and hygiene kits, at the Bzbiz Bridge to new IDPs. 1,000 RRM kits were distributed to families on the Anbar side of the bridge. On 23 May RRM kits were distributed to 350 new arrivals in Abu Ghraib District, Baghdad Governorate, living in camps, mosques and schools.  On 23 May, approximately 40 families received RRM kits, including Immediate Response Rations (IRRs) and kits at the Qaratapa checkpoint. Family food rations were distributed to 5,700 IDP families in Ameriyat Al Sub-district in Anbar Governorate. 99 RRM kits were distributed to 87 newly arrived families at the Quarato IDP camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.  3,000 MT of fertilizers were distributed to conflict-affected rural IDPs, host communities and returnees, with particular attention to women-headed households. 2,000 household beneficiaries in Kirkuk, , Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk and Ninewa governorates received 300kg of fertilizer to increase crop yields.

Gaps and Constraints:

 Hundreds of people are unable to enter Baghdad and Wassit governorates due to sponsorship requirements being enforced.  Many IDPs in Muthanna Governorate are unable to receive food packages as their names are not listed in the Government’s Public Distribution System (PDS).

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Needs:  The majority of septic holding tanks at the Beserve I IDP camp in Dahuk Governorate are full, while the Bardarash IDP camp faces sanitation issues, including leaking holding tanks and toilets. Over 550 displaced people in a school at the Shariya IDP camp in Dahuk Governorate remain in need of WASH assistance.  Garbage transport remains problematic at the Sheikhan IDP camp in Ninewa Governorate. Samaritan’s Purse is planning to drill a borehole in , Ninewa Governorate, and is looking for a capable partner familiar with water service provision in the area.

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 Water trucking is continuing at the Quarato IDP camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, however, additional supplies are required. Some 40 displaced families (approximately 240 individuals) from Ramadi District have arrived at the camp.  With the number of IDPs in camps in Anbar and Baghdad governorates increasing by 50 per cent, further WASH facilities and hygiene items are needed. Response:  27,600 IDPs in Anbar Governorate received bottled water, including Al Amiriyah District center, Bzbiz Bridge, and Habbaniya Tourist City. 29,790 IDPs were reached through daily water trucking in Khalidiya, Habbaniya, Al Amiriyah, and Nukhaib sub-districts.  960 IDPs at the Kadhra'a Camp in Baghdad Governorate were supplied with water, mobile latrines, baby diapers, hygiene kits, hygiene promotion. 1,200 IDPs at the Al Takia collection centre were provided with latrines and water tanks, while 900 IDPs were provide with sanitary items at the Al-Resala IDP camp in Abu Ghraib District.  300 IDP families (approximately 1,800 individuals) were reached with hygiene kits and awareness-raising materials in Abu Al-Khaseeb District in Basrah Governorate.  Water tanks, a reverse osmosis unit, a generator, and chemicals were delivered to Directorate of Water.  Work continues in Kerbala Governorate to extend the water supply network to serve 4,000 IDP families (approximately 24,000 individuals) and 1,700 community members.  The General Directorate of Dahuk Municipalities is undertaking solid waste disposal at seven IDP camps, benefiting some 75,000 people. The drilling and installation of three boreholes at the Chamisku and Essian IDP camps in Dahuk and the Sheikhan IDP camp in Ninewa Governorate is underway.  Regular water trucking (88,000 litres per day) at the Quarato IDP camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate continues. Forty displaced families (240 individuals) from Ramadi are now receiving water.  2,200 displaced students and 9,000 IDPs at the Abu Ghraib Agriculture College in Baghdad Governorate were provided with water tanks, latrines, and garbage bins.

Gaps and Constraints:

 While the water distribution network between the borehole and water tanks in Phase 1 at the Quarato IDP camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate is complete, the system is not yet operational. This is due to the chlorine injection device which has yet to be completed. This issue is being addressed.  The WASH Cluster is working to mobilize additional partners and capacity for the Ramadi displacement, but is constrained by finances and access. Only a limited number of key WASH partners currently have available resources or supplies to respond. Not many WASH partners are present in areas of displacement, however, a number are making plans to increase the overall response.  Operations and maintenance remain significant challenges for WASH partners due to differences in infrastructure design.

Protection

Needs:  Displacements and returns:

o Up to 700 Iraqi families remain stranded in Syria and are unable to return to their homes in Rabia’a and Zummar sub-districts in Ninewa Governorate due to restrictions on return imposed by border and security authorities. o In Salah al-Din Governorate, after a series of negotiations between the governor, ISF and tribal leaders, there is a preliminary agreement to allow the return of displaced families of certain tribes to District. Rigorous security screening is required in order to investigate potential links with ISIL, and there are concerns about the conditions of safety upon return with the continued presence of ISIL in the area.

 Movement and Access restrictions:

o IDPs from Anbar Governorate face restricted access to many governorates. Access through Bzbiz checkpoint has been unpredictable and irregular, and the sponsorship requirement remains in place in order to enter Baghdad Governorate. There are still restrictions on access of IDPs to Kerbala Governorate, with families being escorted by the military to the nearest checkpoint to

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Baghdad. In Babylon and Kirkuk Governorates, reports indicate that checkpoints remain closed to IDPs, particularly for those without local sponsorship. Response:  Over 100 vulnerable families (600 individuals) were allowed to enter and access safety in Baghdad Governorate following field advocacy interventions. A number of individuals were also provided transportation assistance to the Ameriyat Al-Falluja Hospital in order to obtain the required medical documents for permission to cross.  Protection monitoring teams have conducted assessments at community and household level to determine needs. Protection Cluster members were in some instances able to intervene successfully to enable families with urgent medical needs to clear checkpoints into Sulaymaniyah Governorate.  Following UNHCR and IRC advocacy, the Governor of Najaf agreed to allow Ramadi IDP students to sit their final examination in schools in Najaf Governorate. He also agreed to issue an official letter to the Provincial Council urging them to reconsider their decision not to allow Anbar IDPs to enter to Najaf.  Approximately 200 children have been registered by child protection partners for psychosocial support activities in child-friendly spaces in four newly-established camps in Baghdad Governorate. Since the Ramadi crisis began, child protection partners across Iraq have provided psychosocial support to 59,853 children and special protection assistance to 6,712 children. 616 unaccompanied or separated children were identified for family reunification or for finding appropriate alternative care arrangements.  Relief International, UNFPA's partner, has dispatched 2,800 dignity kits in Habbaniya Tourist City, Anbar Governorate, to IDPs fleeing Ramadi. Through its women’s centre partners in Al Dora and Abu-Ghraib, national NGO Tajdeed conducted assessments, provided information on available services and provided counselling to women and girl IDPs from Ramadi. Gaps and Constraints:  Restriction of movement and access to safety remain a challenge in Anbar, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Babylon, Kerbala, Najaf, , Wassit, and Sulaymaniyah governorates.  According to a number of rapid needs assessments conducted by IRC for IDPs from Anbar Governorate, the majority of IDPs are in urgent need of food assistance, CRIs and tents.  Humanitarian actors have been unable to carry out an assessment mission to stranded IDPs at the checkpoint in Maryam Beg Village southwest of Kirkuk, as humanitarian access has not been secured.

Health

Needs:  Essential primary and secondary health care services for IDPs and refugees, as well as host and non- host affected communities, need to be strengthened.  Further support is needed for fixed health facilities, as well as the deployment of mobile teams in areas of emerging conflicts and non-camp IDPs, including in Salah al-Din Governorate and Anbar Governorate.  Early detection and investigation of disease alerts and timely response to outbreaks need to be strengthened.

Response:  11,544 health consultations were undertaken between 16 and 22 May. The provision of primary health care intervention is inclusive of non-communicable diseases, mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS).  Of the 95 children whose nutritional status was screened during the reporting period, three patients received treatment for, or were hospitalized, for acute malnutrition.  1,267 births assisted by skilled attendants and another 465 by Cesarean in areas of IDP concentration were performed.  Disease surveillance/EWARN system in IDP camps continues to be strengthened. 70 health facilities are now reporting to EWARN, with 46 alerts reported and investigated during the reporting period.  2,333 specialized health consultations were provided to IDPs and affected communities, including treatment for chronic diseases, as well as MHPSS. 1,163 cases required hospitalization.  WHO and partners supported the delivery of health care services through mobile teams and fixed health centers in Ameriyat al-Falluja, both sides of the Bzbiz Bridge, as well as Al-Habbaniyah Town and Al- Khaldiyah Sub-district in Anbar Governorate.

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Gaps and Constraints:  There is no qualified medical hospital staff at the Ramadi Hospital in Anbar Governorate. Only a few medical assistants are continuing to work at the overstretched facility.  Health facilities in Ameriyat Al-Falluja Sub-district in Anbar Governorate lack oxygen, normal saline and glucose saline IV fluid, as well as an emergency department.  There are no laboratory or dentistry facilities, as well as child delivery services, in Habbaniyah Tourism City in Anbar Governorate. There is also a risk of insect and rodent proliferation.

Camp Coordination and Camp Management Needs:  Additional support to the Government is urgently needed for IDP site development and management in the south and centre of the country. Response:  The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster is providing support in terms of direct guidance, documentation and maps to support the process of appropriate site selection. The CCCM cluster is also pre-positioning partners to respond to the government’s request for support regarding camp management activities to be activated once official settlements are established.

Education Needs:  Of Iraq’s IDP population, 880,000 are school age children between the ages of 6 – 17, while approximately 200,000 children are between the ages of 4 to 5. The latter require specialized care.  Over 1.2 million children in host communities across Iraq have been affected by the crisis, putting additional strain on an already overburdened education system.  Schools are again being used as emergency shelters. Those fortunate to access education during this difficult time have had their examinations disrupted. Response:

 With final exam times approaching, education partners are assisting students with catch-up classes and providing space for students to sit for their exams. In Qadia and the two Bajet Kandala IDP camps in Dahuk Governorate, an education partner is providing space and supervision for 5,791 children to sit their tests.  With 40 teachers working in three shifts, 787 students at an 11-classroom tent and one caravan school at the Al-Tekya Al-Khaznazaniyah IDP collective center in Baghdad Governorate are being provided education.  Temporary learning tents have been established at four schools in Baghdad Governorate to bolster the capacity of individual schools to respond to the increased number of IDP students.  Over 90,000 children now have access to psycho-social assistance. In the Central Zone, 1,260 teachers and education personnel have received psychosocial support training, school governance and improved pedagogy to further support displaced students. Similarly, 479 displaced teachers, or host community teachers hosting IDP students, have been trained on psycho-social support in six southern governorates.

Gaps and Constraints:

 Additional funding is urgently needed to assess and assist in the provision of education for all, including secondary and tertiary education, particularly teacher training.  Resources including education materials are urgently needed to increase access to education opportunities especially for boys and girls who are on the verge of dropping out as well as for those who have dropped out of school already.  Lack of learning spaces and long distances to schools remain barriers to displaced children seeking access to education opportunities. Existing schools are already operating on double or triple shifts, and capacity is overstretched.  More qualified secondary school teachers are needed to meet demand.  Concern has been raised for some IDP girls in camps having to travel to Dahuk Town to take their Grade 6, 9 and 12 exams.

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Logistics Response:  The Logistics Cluster is addressing the need for regular and updated logistical information on road conditions, bottlenecks, as well as the availability of assets to be shared. It is also collecting and compiling partners request in need of storage support.  The Cluster is collecting information to provide input into contingency planning.  The Cluster is also coordinating with the Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOPs) for logistics information and planning.  Seven partners are being supported with common storage services in Erbil and Dahuk governorates. Currently 63m3 of cargo is being stored in Erbil and 1,158m3 is being stored at the warehouse in Dahuk.  RRM items prepositioned in Baghdad for response to Al Baghdadi Sub-district and have been reallocated to the Ramadi response effort. Gaps and Constraints:  The sharing of assets between partners needs further improvement with better information sharing.

For further information, please contact: Antonio Massella, Officer-in-Charge, [email protected], Mobile Iraq: +964 (0) 751 184 4379 David Swanson, Public Information Officer, [email protected] Mobile Iraq: +964 (0) 750 377 0849 For more information, please visit https://iraq.humanitarianresponse.info

Background on the crisis Since the fall of on 9 June 2014, armed groups (AGs), including Ba’athists, tribal militias and members of the former regime/military, along with the and the Levant (ISIL), have taken control of large swathes of Iraq’s provinces of Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Kirkuk and Diyala. Since January 2014 much of Anbar has also been under ISIL control. This has led to massive internal displacement. Iraq is now contending with one of the largest internally displaced populations in the world. Over 2.9 million have been displaced since January 2014.

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