Iraq CRISIS Situation Report No. 49 (17 June – 23 June 2015)
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Iraq CRISIS Situation Report No. 49 (17 June – 23 June 2015) This report is produced by OCHA Iraq in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 17 – 23 June. 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 3 July. Highlights More than 1,500 families return to Tikrit. Returnees need humanitarian assistance Close to 300,000 individuals displaced from Ramadi since 8 April NGOs respond to Sulaymaniyah checkpoint closures Concern over humanitarian conditions in Ameriyat al-Fallujah and Habbaniya Insufficient funding continues to limit humanitarian response capacity 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 25 June 2015. Situation Overview More than 1,500 families (approximately 9,000 individuals) returned to Tikrit City and surrounding areas between 14 and 23 June, after the area was retaken by Iraqi Security Forces in April, according to the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Most of those who returned were Government civil servants who were requested to return. Approximately 80 per cent of Government employees have gone back to the area, local authorities report. Returnees reportedly were required to submit to ID checks, body and vehicle searches before being allowed through manned checkpoints. Authorities have reportedly dismantled 1,700 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and cleared more than 200 booby-trapped houses. The recent returns brings the estimated total number of returnees in Tikrit District to 16,384 families (over 98,000 individuals), according to a partner NGO. While the Ministry of Health has reportedly opened a health centre and is working on establishing a hospital in Tikrit town, more humanitarian assistance is urgently needed in the Tikrit area, partners report. Electricity is still not being supplied regularly to all areas of Tikrit and only three water tanks in the city are operational. The Governorate authorities have communicated that returnees are in need of food assistance, air coolers and non-food items (NFIs), including kitchen sets, mattresses and blankets. + For more information, see “background on the crisis” at the end of the report www.unocha.org The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Coordination Saves Lives Iraq IDP Crisis Situation Report No. 49 |2 In the Kalar area, between Sulaymaniyah and Diyala governorates, the levels of assistance provided to IDPs waiting at the Sheik Langer checkpoint have improved following the installation of water tanks and the distribution of plastic sheeting by NGOs. Local authorities have approved an action plan for response at the checkpoint and have informed OCHA that they will consider certain families waiting at the checkpoint to enter Kalar District, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, once the Tazar De IDP Camp is open. As of 22 June, 292,314 individuals have been displaced from Ramadi District in Anbar Governorate since the launch of military operations on 8 April, IOM’s DTM reported. Concerted efforts are under way to improve humanitarian conditions in Anbar Governorate. The Camp Coordination and Management Cluster (CCCM) is providing guidance and technical assistance for new IDP camps. On 18 June, the Iraqi Red Crescent confirmed the establishment of 650 tents at a new camp in Ameriyat al-Fallujah Sub-district. An additional 100 tents will be provided in the coming days. However, the WASH situation in Anbar Governorate continues to deteriorate, with particular concern for IDPs in Ameriyat al-Fallujah and Habbaniya sub-districts. Only one actor is reportedly distributing chlorinated water. A number of latrines have been delivered without these being installed yet. Plans to rehabilitate the sewage system at Habbaniya Tourist City remain on hold in part due to prevailing security conditions on the ground. The Health Cluster is working on activating a task force for the delivery of health services in Anbar Governorate. The health situation in both Habbaniya and Ameriyat al-Fallujah is reportedly deteriorating rapidly with only one health partner currently active in the two areas. Protection Needs: Urgent humanitarian support is needed for families returning to Tikrit District. In Salah al-Din Governorate, displaced families from conflict zones within the governorate, in addition to Anbar Governorate and Hawiga District in Kirkuk Governorate, continue to arrive in Samarra District and Dhuluiya Sub-district, Salah al-Din Governorate. The Kulajo checkpoint in Kalar District, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, is currently closed to new IDPs. IDPs are reportedly willing to relocate to camps, but are being informed that camps in Kalar are full. Response: Protection partners continue to monitor the situation in Kerbala Governorate, where evictions of IDPs accommodated at the Shafaat Al-Hussain Hotel have again been postponed for two weeks starting from 17 June. In the meantime, over 200 families (1,200 individuals) have left the hotel, some to rent a home in Kerbala, while others have moved to Erbil Governorate. There are currently 1,007 families (6,042 individuals) accommodated in hotels in Kerbala. As to alternative accommodation for the families, there are 690 caravans already completed and awaiting a handover decision. 110 caravans are under construction (with basic services included) and 250 caravans are still without any basic services available. Protection monitoring was carried out in Habbaniya Tourist City, as well as Khalidiya and Ameriyat al- Fallujah sub-districts and Haditha District in Anbar Governorate, during the reporting period. The team coordinated with a partner on the distribution of hygiene kits to 900 families (5,400 individuals) in the vicinity of the Bzbiz Bridge. Protection actors in Salah al-Din Governorate conducted eight protection monitoring visits assessing a total of over 230 families (over 1,030 individuals), and facilitated provision of food and basic materials to more than 116 households (HHs), benefitting approximately 700 individuals. Gaps and Constraints: Access to safety for Anbar IDPs remains largely unchanged over the previous week. Those within Haditha District face exceptional difficulties in conducting basic everyday activities due to lack of water, electricity and fuel. Faster procedures are needed for the replacement of lost, damaged or confiscated identity cards. The lack of proper documentation directly affects IDPs' access to basic services and rights, and exposes them to harassment and detention. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org Iraq IDP Crisis Situation Report No. 49 |3 Shelter and Non-Food Items Response: Summer NFI distributions for 23,000 families are ongoing in camps in Dahuk Governorate. Camps such as Khanke (3,120 families) and Shariya (3,000 families) are already receiving air coolers from local NGOs and private donors. Cluster members are currently involved in shelter upgrades of almost 1,500 units in urban areas. In Basrah Governorate, the rehabilitation of 50 shelter units for 50 families is ongoing. 650 tents have been set up as a Government-led contingency measure near Ameriyat al-Fallujah Sub- district, Anbar Governorate, with work to continue daily. Up to 5,000 tents will be installed. Gaps and Constraints: Due to limited resources, the Shelter and NFI Cluster is addressing summer needs with alternative NFI provisions, including re-chargeable fans and upgrading of shelters outside of camps. Water and electricity shortages remain a concern considering the popularity of air coolers. The construction of concrete slab foundations for tents in Berseve I IDP camp in Zakho District, Dahuk Governorate, is pending. Air coolers and cool boxes for an estimated 25,000 families (150,000 individuals) in camps and informal settlements remains a gap. 400 additional shelters at the Khanke IDP camp in Dahuk Governorate are needed to host those IDPs living in the sub-standard Khanke settlement. Construction of shaded areas at 10 different camps remains a gap. Current distributions are sometimes happening in the open with no protection from the harsh heat. An additional 1,500 prefabricated shelters at the Mamrashan IDP Camp, Ninewa Governorate, are needed to host IDP families living in sub-standard shelters in Shikhan District. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Needs: A needs assessment of 13,691 IDPs at 78 sites in Anbar and Baghdad governorates was conducted. Ninety-five per cent of those assessed are in need of hygiene items and promotion, 70 per cent need WASH facilities, and 50 per cent need drinking water, preliminary results reveal. Assessments are ongoing by 10 local NGOs. An assessment of WASH needs is required for IDP families in Salah al–Din Governorate, specifically 35,000 families (210,000 individuals) in Tikrit District, 13,000 families (78,000 individuals) in Daur District, 12,900 families (77,400 individuals) in Balad District, 18,000 families (108,000 individuals) in Samarra District, and 7,000 families (42,000 individuals) in Baiji District. The water system in Diyala Governorate requires refurbishment and a rapid WASH