Risks and Recovery in Iraq

جمهورية العراق األمانة العامة لمجلس الوزراء JCMC المركز المشترك للتنسيق والرصد General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center-JCMC

Report No. 2 March 3rd, 2019

Risks and Recovery in Iraq Section I: Overview of Risk and Recovery for the period from 1- 28 February 2019 Section II: Risk Response Section III: Risk Reduction and Preparedness Section IV: Recovery and Reconstruction Section V: Population Movement of Return and Displacement Section VI: Executive Decisions

Section I: Overview of Risk and Recovery for the period from 1- 28 February 2019

Risk Response Liberated Risk / Governorates Baghdad Mayssan Holy Najaf Basra Anbar Governorates Biological Risks Human Epidemics X X Technical Risks Pollution X Infrastructure X X X Collapses- Dams Demining X

Risk Reduction and Preparedness Threats \ Governorates Babil Biological risks- Animal diseases- avian Flu X

Recovery and Reconstruction Governorates: Ninawa, Anbar, Salah -Adden, Kirkuk, Baghdad, and Babil.

Section II: Risk response Biological risks- Human epidemics Description of the problem: The JCMC representational office in the Governorate of Holy Najaf reported scabies and leishmaniasis cases in Mashkhab and Manathira districts and Qadisiyah sub-district. 250 cases have been recorded and more are expected. The representational office pointed out that one of the reasons behind the problem of skin diseases is the continous pollution of the Euphrates River, specifically in the Umm Khashim area, where buffalo breeders live. The number of buffaloes is estimated to be 10,000, and as they resort to the river, their waste causes pollution to the water which is used by the population. It should be noted that JCMC mentioned this problem in its report no. (9) September 2018. On January 23rd, 2019, the Ministry of Water Resources reported that the Holy Najaf Governorate formed a committee of line departments to relocate buffalo breeders to an area far from the river Euphrates - Shatt al – Mashkhab. The proposed alternative area located at the catchment of the Sea of Najaf area.

Reported actions by JCMC representational office: - The JCMC representational office obtained the approval of the governor to direct the Najaf Health department to investigate cases of infection and provide the necessary health response. - A meeting was held on February 18th, in the presence of the Governor's Advisor for Health Affairs, representatives from Health, Education and Environment Departments, international and local organizations operating in the governorate and the JCMC representational office to discuss the spread of scabies and leishmaniasis and issue recommendations to solve the problem.

Description of the problem: The JCMC representational office in Anbar Governorate reported a number of cases of cancer and hepatitis (B) and (C). Anbar Health Directorate showed that the number of cancer cases in 2018 amounted to 667, disaggregated into 31 types, the highest of which is breast cancer (221). While infections of hepatitis of the two categories in 2018 amounted to 423 cases. The table below shows the proportion of hepatitis in each health sector:

Sector Fallujah Alfaris Al- 1st 2nd Al- Al- Haditha Heet Arabi Ramadi Ramadi Khaldiya Garma Percentage 30 22 11 13 8 5 6 5 (%) The representational office confirmed that the majority of infections is a result of environmental pollution caused by heavy weapons used in wars. It also stressed that specialized hospitals to treat these diseases have been destroyed by Daesh, including Ramadi General Hospital and the Centre of Cancer Diseases.

JCMC representational office reported the following requirements: - Provide the necessary support and health response to patients. - Rehabilitate hospitals and cancer centre. - Open additional centres to treat patients with hepatitis. - conduct researches and take actions to reduce the number of diseases and eliminate the causes.

Technical risks – pollution Description and scope of the problem: The water treatment plants in Mada’in district and its sub-districts were disrupted due to the drifting of settled pollutants in Diyala riverbed. The settled pollutants were accumulated due to discharge of untreated wastewater. They swept following the release of large amounts of water upstream Diyala River from Darbandikhan and Himrin dams, which coincided with fast- moving flash floods. It is worth noting that the district is part of Baghdad Governorate and is 35 km southeast the capital, northeast Diyala and southeast Wassit Governorate. The district’s population is estimated at 500.000 people. Salamn Bak, Jisir Diyala, Al-Wahda and Nahrawan sub-districts are all part of Al-Madain district.

Disrupted water treatment plants: Mada’in central water plant, water stations and complexes in the district except Al-Jisr water station as it is supplied with an emergency line of raw water from the Tigris River in Zafaranih area.

Areas mostly affected by the problem: Jisir Diyala area, and Al-Tamim, Al-Jorof, Al-Wahda and Nahrawan neighbourhoods.

Health impacts and response: The JCMC representational office in Baghdad Governorate confirmed that no water-related disease was recorded and that representatives from Environment, Health and Water Directorates and the National Centre are conducting laboratory tests on an ongoing basis. The Health Promotion Unit at Mada’in Health Centre also carried out an awareness campaign and distributed water sterilization tablets.

Reported response actions: - Service departments in Baghdad governorate, Baghdad municipality, ministries, security bodies and Diyala and Wassit governorates provided potable water in tankers (approx. 200 water tankers were mobilized). - As an urgent action, the Ministry of Water Resources released additional water from the Samarra dam to push contaminated water. - The JCMC representational office in Baghdad governorate reported on February 24th, that authorities pumped water to the sedimentation tanks in water projects. People were informed not to use water for drinking until necessary tests are carried out and ensure its safety for human consumption. Requirements: - Update JCMC on the quantities of waste water being discharged directly to the rivers without treatment and discharge points in Baghdad governorate and their effects on human health, environment and water resources. - ensure full compliance with the law of protecting and improving the environment and the decisions issued to prevent the discharge of liquid and solid waste to water sources before treatment in Baghdad and other governorates. - Dredging rivers, cleaning their banks constantly and preventing the deposition of pollutants in the rivers. - conduct awareness activities emphasizing the importance of protecting the water wealth.

Technical hazards - Infrastructure collapses - dams Description of the problem: A team from the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Centre (JCMC) in Mayssan Governorate and a representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) carried out a field visit to the Al Aziz district of Qal'at Salih to see first-hand the impact on the berms caused by flash floods and the increase of water levels in the marshes. The team identified damages in the "Lisan Ajirda" road that links important areas of the governorate. The road sustained the damage due to aging, lack of maintenance and natural factors. The JCMC representational office also reported the collapse of one of the berms of Al- Hawaizah marsh towards the lands in Basra governorate. Reported actions by JCMC Representational office: - Obtained the approval of the governor to direct the departments of roads, bridges and water resources to fix the damaged and eroded roads and berms.

Description of the problem: Through a letter shared with JCMC representational office, the Directorate of Water Resources in the governorate of Najaf highlighted the importance of maintaining the berms surrounding the following villages of Badiat Al- Najaf: (Mazloum, Ghazalat, Izziyah and Al Rahmiyah). The purpose is to protect the berms from collapse due to torrential rain.

Description of the problem: On February 7th, JCMC representational office in Basra reported the occurrence of erosion and damages in the embankments of the rivers, especially in the siba area located on the Shatt Al-Arab River. The eroded and damaged embankments led to the arrival of water to the residential area and inundated the farmlands. The representational office pointed out that the rise of the Shatt Al-Arab water level is due to the increase of inflow of water from Iran via the Karun

River and the northeastern winds that pushed water towards the embankments of the main river and its tributaries in the Siba and Abe al-Khasib districts. JCMC representational office confirmed that no maintenance was conducted of the embankments since 2013.

The Basra JCMC representational office reported the proposals of the Directorate of Water Resources to address the problem, as follows:

- Rehabilitate the embankments of the Khiram Ziyadiyah stream with sand and rock-filled gabions for 4 km. distance. - Rehabilitate the embankments of the Siba stream with sand and rock-filled gabions for 2 Km. distance. - Dredge and clear the tributaries at a distance of 49 km. - Allocate funding to purchase spare parts to fix vehicles and provide other requirements.

Technical risks - Demining Description of activity: On February 26th, the JCMC representational office reported that a joint team from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and JCMC Ninawa office visited Sinjar district in Ninewa governorate . The team met with the local authorities and security services for coordination, prioritization and facilitation of the work of UNMAS. It was agreed to begin demining activities in areas south of Sinjar on March 3rd. Description of activity: The JCMC representational office in Salahaddin Governorate reported that a meeting was held on February 20th, with the Technical Deputy Governor, representatives of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and its partners: Halo Trust and DDJ. The purpose of the meeting is to facilitate the demining activities in the governorate.

Description of activity: The (UNMAS) reported in its weekly reports for the period from 24 January to 13 February that 125,689 m2 were cleared from explosives and ordnance. In addition, 54 IEDs and parts, 173 UXO, and 123 kg of locally made explosives were removed.

Reported Financial contributions to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS): - On February 10th, the Government of Sweden contributed SEK 75 million (approximately USD 8.3 million). - On February 18th, the Australian Government contributed AUD 2 million (about USD 1.5 million).

UNMAS confirmed that the survey and clearance of explosives remain a critical requirement prior to any commencement of the humanitarian and stabilization initiatives.

Requirements: Entities are required to Provide JCMC with the total area contaminated with mines, explosive ordnance, UXOs, IEDs, at the governorate, district and sub-district levels where clearance activities are conducted. Furthermore, periodic reports on cleared areas at the governorate, district and sub-district levels are also required.

Section III: Risk reduction and preparedness Biological risks - animal diseases Description of the risk: The Directorate of Veterinary in Babil governorate ordered all hospitals and veterinary centres in the governorate to take maximum monitoring and investigation measures of avian flu in poultry fields, poultry markets, and slaughterhouses. They were also informed to ensure the safety of workers when conducting the field visits using protection tools as a precautionary measure to prevent transmission of disease, mentioned above.

Section IV: Recovery and Reconstruction Description of activity: The Ministry of Transport reported that its companies have re-operated railway lines for Balad- Baiji - 136 km and Abu Ghraib - Falluja with a length of 44 km. Two trains started transporting passengers between Baghdad and Fallujah. In addition, it is reconstructing the buildings of Baiji train station and railways.

Description of activity: The reconstruction fund for areas affected by terrorist operations (REFAATO) reported on February 12th, the distribution of 118 heavy machines provided by the People’s Republic of China to areas affected by terrorist operations. The vehicles were distributed to the governorates according to the Fund's criteria: number of population, geographical area and level of damage, as shown in the table below: Governorate Ninewa Anbar Salahaddin Kirkuk Diyala Baghdad Babil Machinery 36 36 18 9 11 7 1 Type of machines: garbage vehicles, loaders, trucks, water tank trucks, excavators, vacuum sewage trucks and sweepers. 150 boxes of spare parts were also delivered with the trucks. A number of technicians from the beneficiary governorates sent to China for a month to gain the experience on driving and maintaining the vehicles.

Description of activity: On February 14th, REFAATO reported that the framework agreement for the second phase of $ 85 million Kuwaiti grant to reconstruct and furnish 32 hospitals was signed. Affected hospitals in the liberated governorates will benefit from this grant. The phase is supposed to be completed by 2020.

Description of activity: Within the framework of the Community Resource Centres (CRCs) to provide information and input to response plans and stabilization activities in the areas of return, REACH Initiative conducted an Area Based Assessment in Tal Afar District of Ninewa Governorate and Hawija district of Kirkuk Governorate. Two reports were produced containing information on the needs of the population as per their priorities. Reports can be found on the following links: (http://bit.ly/2EaCNFn), (http://bit.ly/2DL3QYO). It is worth noting that CRCs were established in partnership between JCMC and IOM with a number of partner organizations: ACTED, DRC, NRC, TDH Lausanne and UNHCR. Description of activity: On February 20th, UNAMI reported that the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management announced during his visit to Mosul that the EU would provide €30 million (USD 34 million) to the 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan of Iraq. “The European Union will continue to support all aspects of the crisis in Iraq, supporting Iraqi authorities, and showing tangible solidarity with the Iraqi people for as long as it takes," he said. The Commissioner also announced that another €20 million (USD 22.5 million) in development funding will contribute to the

reconstruction of the country's cultural heritage, as well as the creation of jobs and opportunities for vulnerable youth.

Description of activity: On February 21st, UNAMI reported that the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) officially launched in Ninewa Governorate the “Strengthening the Long-Term Resilience of Subnational Authorities in Countries Affected by the Syrian and Iraqi Crises” project, funded by the EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian and Iraqi Crises, the EU “Madad” Fund.The project aims to improve the vulnerability of host populations and refugees in communities affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises by strengthening the multi-level local government system and improving access to basic services, affordable housing and income in the governorates of Nineveh, Erbil and Dohuk. It is proposed that the project targets more than 427,000 beneficiaries directly. The project will also benefit the municipalities of Mosul and Sinjar by providing technical and financial assistance for the rehabilitation of damaged homes as well as water and sanitation infrastructure, and support the treatment of housing, land and property rights for returnees and displaced persons.

Activity Description: On February 10th 2019, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) reported that the total number of stabilization projects in Anbar, Salah Addin, Diyala, Ninewa and Kirkuk governorates has reached 3.123 project, as shown in the table below:

Governorate Total projects Under preparation Under contracting Under implementation Implemented

Anbar 762 125 25 110 502

Salah Addin 311 121 16 18 156

Diyala 21 0 0 1 20

Ninewa 1896 351 121 370 1054

Kirkuk 133 70 8 23 32

Grand Total 3123 667 170 522 1764

Various recovery and stabilization projects: Sector Governorate Achievements On February 25th, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported the rehabilitation od al-Bu aziya Compact water Salah Addin treatment unit in the Yathrib sub-district for the benefit of about 4,000 returnees. Water On February 25th, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that a 300 m3 / h Compact water treatment unit Diyala in Khanaqeen district had installed. The purpose is to increase the amount of potable water for about 60,000 person.

Section V: Demographic movement of return and displacement: Consolidation and closure of camps: - The JCMC office in Anbar Governorate reported that the Bzebez central camp was closed on February 11th, as a result of the return of families to their areas of origin. JCMC office also indicated that 25 family were relocated to al Ameriya camps as per their request. - The JCMC office in Kirkuk reported on February 8th, that the Nizrawa IDP camp was closed after the displaced families were relocated with their proprieties to Laylan camps 1 and 2. Of which 139 families (770 individual) were transferred to the camp of Laylan 2 and 29 families (159 individual) to Laylan camp. It should be noted that the branch of the Ministry of Displacement and Migration announced that the total number of camps in Kirkuk Governorate are 7, of which 4 were closed and only 3 camps are remaining. The number of returnee families from the camps to their areas reached about 6,000 family and the remaining families stand at 2,000.

Statistics of displacement and return: - The Ministry of Displacement and Migration reported that the return rate for displaced families until February 3rd , 2019 was 52%, according to the statistics of the security agencies, as shown in the table below: # IDP # of returning families registered with # of families remained in Return Governorate families the security bodies displacement percentage Ninawa 449218 131347 317871 29% Kirkuk 52814 2472 50342 5% Anbar 226198 169270 56928 75% Salah al Din 131067 130923 144 99% Baghdad 18382 17000 1382 92% Diyala 53758 35363 18395 66% Babylon 8268 0 8268 0% Total 939705 486375 453330 52%

Section VI: Executive Decisions

Risk category Risk area Recommendation Implementing authority Provide JCMC with a detailed report on the causes of skin diseases and the health response provided to Ministry of Health and affected people as well as the Environment Najaf Governorate Najaf Governorate required further actions to eliminate Concerned organizations (Mishkhab and the diseases and prevent ant and agencies Manathira districts and Al-Qadisiya sub- recurrence. Human Epidemics district)

Ministry of Health and Update JCMC on the implemented actions by Environment the committee that has been formed to tackle Najaf Governorate the issue of contamination of Al-Mishkhab Concerned organizations stream due to the byproducts of buffalos and agencies Provide JCMC with a detailed report on the Ministry of Health and Anbar causes of liver and cancer diseases, the health Environment response provided to affected people and the Najaf Governorate

plans for rehabilitating hospitals and health Concerned organizations centers in the governorate and agencies Ministry of Health and Environment Ministry of Water Resources Baghdad Provide JCMC with information regarding the Ministry of Construction , Pollution Governorate, Al- actions to implement the requirements stated Housing & Public Madain District in the report Municipalities Ministry of Agriculture Baghdad Governorate Mayoralty of Baghdad Ministry of Water Update JCMC on the implemented actions to Resources Infrastructure Mayssan fix the road ‘Lisan Ajerda” in AL-Aziz sub- Ministry of Construction , collapses - Dams Governorate district and the berms of the Al-Hawiza Housing & Public marshes. Municipalities Mayssan Governorate Ministry of Water Update JCMC on the implemented actions to Resources fix the berms that protect the villages in Najaf Ministry of Construction , Najaf Governorate desert from the torrential rain. Villages: Housing & Public Mazloum, Ghazalat, Izziyah and Al Rahmiyah Municipalities Holy Najaf Governorate Ministry of Water Resources Update JCMC on the implemented actions to Ministry of Construction , meet the required proposals and fix the Housing & Public Basra Governorate eroded and damaged river embankments in Municipalities the Siba sub-district and Abe al-khaseeb. Basra Governorate Concerned organizations and agencies

-Signed- Abdul Amir Mohammed Ali Hussein Head of JCMC February 2019

For more information, please contact: General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers - the JCMC Website: jcmc.gov.iq E-mail: [email protected]