OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE Cash Consortium for (CCI) Emergency Response for Conflict Affected Households

Implementing Mercy Corps, The Cash Consortium for Iraq (CCI) Organization: Donor: Office of United States Foreign Disaster Assistance, Office of Food for Peace Project Reference: AID-OFDA-G-17-00126 Budget: $10,000,000 Grant period: 21 August 2017 – 20 September 2018 Reporting period: 21 August 2017 – 31 March 2018 Contact information:

l District level areas of district, Ninewa governorate intervention district, Ninewa governorate Telafar district, Ninewa governorate Shirqat district, Salah Al-Din governorate district, Salah Al-Din governorate district, Salah Al-Din governorate district, Anbar governorate Al Qa’im district, Anbar governorate Sector 1.1 (OFDA): Objective: Conflict affected families in Iraq, including newly displaced IDPs, Logistics Support and protractedly displaced IDPs, returnees, and host communities, have Relief Commodities improved access to essential non-food items Sub- Sector Non-food Items (NFIs) Sector 1.2 (OFDA): Objective: Conflict affected families in Iraq, including newly displaced Shelter and Settlements IDPs, protractedly displaced IDPs, returnees, and host communities, have improved access to essential shelter Sub- Sector Emergency/transitional Shelter Sector 1.3 (FFP): Multi- Objective: Conflict affected families in Iraq, including newly displaced Purpose Cash IDPs, protractedly displaced IDPs, returnees, and host communities, have Assistance improved access to essential food items. Sub- Sector Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance

I. Summary of overall achievements During the reporting period, the Cash Consortium for Iraq (CCI) partners (International Rescue Committee, Norwegian Refugee Council, Danish Refugee Council, Oxfam and Mercy Corps, as current lead agency) worked together to reach 29,095 individuals (5,390 households) across conflict-affected areas of Ninewa, Salah Al-Din and Anbar governorates utilizing multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) as an effective emergency response modality. A total of 10,033 transfers have been delivered and this cash assistance totaled $3,027,213 distributed in cash directly to vulnerable households to enable them to meet their critical basic needs. Throughout the reporting period, CCI Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) data showed that 99.9% of cash recipients were satisfied or very satisfied with the service. In addition, the data showed that cash remained households’ preferred assistance modality in 99.5% of cases. Finally, 73% of households receiving the one-off transfer and 80% of households receiving multi- month assistance reduced their use of negative coping strategies.

CCI partners also worked together to design and roll out a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) to promote greater understanding of how MPCA impacts OFDA-FFP beneficiaries. A total of 30 focus group discussions were conducted in Anbar, Ninewa and Salah Al-Din governorates, leveraging the CCI partners’ teams and infrastructure. The data is in the process of being analyzed by the CCI team to promote organizational learning.

Drawing upon the CCI’s wider portfolio, the CCI has continually leveraged other awards to enhance the impact of MPCA to better meet the needs of conflict-affected households funded by OFDA-FFP. An automatic online referral system has been established with ECHO funding and has proven to work. Using this mechanism, the CCI has referred households identified under the OFDA-FFP award, and referred them for legal assistance funded by other donors where possible. Meanwhile, CCI partners have worked together to identify criteria to refer households for other services/support, leveraging the partners’ other non-CCI funding streams. As a part of the ECHO award, the CCI has enhanced its shared database, dashboards have been created to promote increased access to information for all partners across the CCI’s response, and peer to peer monitoring has been developed and piloted. This tool will soon be implemented across other CCI awards. Substantive linkages with the UNOPS IDP call center have also been established to promote greater access to information and provide another third-party route for accountability. Meanwhile, DFID research funding has enabled the CCI partners to launch a review of the CCI’s value for money.

CCI partners have enhanced their geographic coordination by strategically divvying up operational areas, leading to improved programmatic reach and focus. In doing so, the CCI has scaled. In 2017 CCI partners serviced 30,000 households. In 2018, partners have already provided MPCA to more than 15,000 households with funding from OFDA-FFP, DFID, ECHO, GAC and UNOHCA IHPF. Although the overall geographic coverage through 2017 and 2018 has contracted and expanded in accordance with identified needs, the CCI partners are currently responding across Sinjar, Tel Afar, Tilkaif, Hamdaniyah, and Mosul districts of Ninewa; Shirqat, Tikrit, and Baiji districts of Salah Al-Din; Ana, Al Qa’im, Ru’ua, , Heet, and Ramadi districts of Anbar; district of ; and of (including but not limited to OFDA-FFP funding). Complementing the OFDA- FFP award, common funding under the GAC, ECHO, and DFID awards has provided CCI partners with flexibility to respond to unanticipated needs. This rapid funding mechanism enables access to additional funding for the CCI partner(s) best positioned to respond as the emergency evolves.

Context

As of March 30, 2018, there were 2,205,252 internally displaced persons (IDPs) dispersed across 97 districts in Iraq, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM).1 In the same period, IOM DTM identified 3,635,958 returnees across Iraq. Over the past five months, since mid-October 2017, Iraq has therefore seen an increase in returns by approximately 40%2, whereas in the same period the number of IDPs decreased by 31%3. This trend of increased returns has been demonstrated across all of Iraq’s 18

1 International Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), http://iraqdtm.iom.int/IDPsML.aspx - as of 4.10.10 2 As of 15th October 2017, returns were recorded as 2,331,678 individuals by IOM DTM 3 As of 15th October 2017, IDP numbers were recorded as 3,174,240 by IOM DTM. MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 1 governorates, and reflects a continuous trend of increasing return movements. During the reporting period, the context of CCIs’ areas of implementation (Ninewa, Salah Al-Din and Anbar) changed dramatically. During the last four months of 2017, displacement followed territorial disputes catalyzed by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) independence referendum, and the final military operations against the so-called Islamic State group (IS) led to displacement as well as returns once territory was re-taken. While humanitarian partners closely followed military operations and prepared contingency plans, CCI partners remained closely engaged at the local, governorate and central levels, to coordinate with other humanitarian organizations, core coordination bodies, and local authorities. This coordination allowed for CCI to gain insight into the population dynamics, movements, and potential effects of military operations on CCI’s areas of implementation to inform an effective response.

Across Ninewa governorate, has the highest reported increase in returns at 11%, and hosts the largest percentage (22%) of the total returnee population across Ninewa according to the IOM DTM. This figure has steadily increased since August following the removal of unexploded ordnance and the deactivation of booby-trapped houses and needs remain high, particularly in Mosul city. Even more returnees are expected in the near future, as many people have still not managed to return home due to unfavorable living conditions in these areas. While some areas of Mosul city still remain insecure due to the presence of IS sleeper cells or continuing military operations, most returnees have now been back in Mosul anywhere from four to six months. This wave of returns may have been a result of the closure of Qaymawa and Nargiziliya Camps, outside of Mosul, near the end of 2017. Despite the high rate of return, a large number of IDPs also remain in east Mosul. While technically these households have returned to their sub-district of origin, they are unable to return to their original place of residence due to the high concentration of unexploded ordnance, the lack of basic public services, and significant structural damage due to bombardment during the armed conflict. Throughout the project period, CCI partners report increased eviction among residents, due largely to rebounding property prices as households return. As a result, many vulnerable households are not able (or are no longer) able to afford rent. Evictions from informal settlements, including damaged or abandoned buildings and collective shelters, have also reportedly increased. Finally, in terms of access and security, the overall situation has improved throughout the reporting period. That said, insecurity and access issues have continued, due largely to ongoing military. A significant proportion of IDPs from the Western districts of Ninewa also remain displaced from Tel Afar and Sinjar districts where aid has been limited and needs are high.

On September 21, 2017, ISF launched military operations in Shirqat district of Salah Al-Din in advance of the operation in Kirkuk governorate, leading to the displacement of 33,060 people according to IOM DTM to Tikrit and Baiji districts of Salah Al-Din. As of mid-April 2018, 15,282 individuals remain displaced and 17,778 individuals have returned to their areas of origin. The first wave of returnees to Baiji city was in Al-Assry neighborhood in August 2016 (on the east side of the city). Evictions of IDPs began again following an announcement that all IDPs had to return home to retaken areas in Al-Shirqat and Baiji districts. This announcement resulted in at least 17,000 people being removed from camps and various buildings in the districts where they were sheltering. Many IDPs reported they were not able to return because 80% of the buildings in Baiji were destroyed during the war, or because they feared reprisals due to tribal tensions. Thus, many were forced into secondary displacement in other districts of Salah Al-Din. Additionally, a CCI partner operating in the governorate has observed movements of households that attempted an initial return to their area of origin in Hawija returning once more to Tikrit. This return to their area of displacement is largely due to a continued lack of services in the villages surrounding Hawija, and the increase in frequency of attacks by remaining IS sleeper cells in the area. Across Tikrit, evictions have also been a common theme throughout the reporting period, with families in both camp and non-camp settings targeted. Despite the high ongoing level of returns within the governorate, many households remain displaced, and have expressed concern about returning to their Area of Origin (AoO) due to the lack of basic services and livelihood opportunities, and the continued presence of armed groups operating in the region.4 Moreover, as a result of limited livelihoods opportunities across Salah Al-Din, many households in the governorate are facing family separation, as a common observed negative coping strategy is to leave behind a family member to seek work in Tikrit city.

Across the whole of Iraq, the second largest returnee population is based in the project delivery location of Anbar, with a total number of 1,235,514 individuals, or 34% of the returnee population as a whole. Almost all of these

4 UNHCR, “Iraq Protection Cluster: Salah al-Din Returnees Profile – February 2018”, February 28, 2018. MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 2 individuals are concentrated in the districts of Fallujah and Ramadi. Meanwhile, since the military campaign against IS was launched in west Anbar in September of 2017,5 al-Qaim district has been underserved.

II. Program Overview

Program participants Total households: Budget Target $5,713,200 Targeted 6,215 households (approximately 37,290 individuals)6

Program participants Total households: Budget Actual $3,027,21 53% Reached individuals 5,390 (and % spent) 3 households (29,095 individuals)

Total households reached under OFDA-FFP

Total HHs: Total HHs: Total HHs: Distribution. Distribution. 1 Distribution. 2 3

R1/one-off 3,158

1,206 (including 308 997 R2/MMCA households- transferred from ECHO and unique to this program) 1924 1,463 1,285 R3/MMCA

Total unique households 3158+308+1924 = 5390

Total transfers 10,033

An update on all OFDA and FFP indicators is included in the logframe attached in Annex 5.

III. Implementation

Assess market functionality: CCI coordinates and shares information with other humanitarian initiatives and actors in order to assess market health and the feasibility of introducing cash-based programming across Iraq. All CCI partners participate in the REACH and Cash Working Group (CwG)-led Joint Price Monitoring Initiative (JPMI) with the aim to harmonize price data collection in Iraq and enhance collaboration between cash actors. CCI partners participate actively in the JPMI and the Joint Rapid Assessment of Markets (JRAM), and have conducted JPMI and

5 El-Ghobashy, T., & Salim, M. (2017, September 19). Iraqi forces launch battle against Islamic State footholds in vast Anbar province. 6 Individuals are estimated based on 6 members per household. MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 3 JRAM assessments alongside CwG participating partners in different locations throughout the OFDA/FFP project areas to collect prices of different household items using the specific tool provided by the REACH initiative. Data collection for the JPMI takes place on a monthly basis, with associated factsheets and datasets published after every round. The purpose of these monthly monitoring activities is to a) confirm relevance of the cash transfer value based on current market prices and b) check for any adverse impact that the cash project may be having on the markets. CCI partners contribute to this nationwide effort, and as such-- all areas of intervention under the OFDA-FFP award are covered by the JPMI. The JRAM project was launched by the Cash Working Group (CwG) in April 2017 with the aim of establishing a harmonized, collaborative mechanism for conducting market assessments in newly accessible areas of Iraq. Data collection is conducted jointly by CwG partners, with coordination and technical oversight by REACH. In August 2017, REACH shared the findings of a market assessment conducted in West Mosul and including all CCI partners in data collection. After assessing the data, CCI determined and informed all CwG partners that all the markets assessed in West Mosul are functional with some challenges pertaining to lack of capital for market rehabilitation, decreased market capacity, shortage of some food and non-food items and some increase in prices. The assessments also reported that people from all locations could access bigger markets in East Mosul to purchase those goods not available in the local market. CCI partners bilaterally rolled out the JRAM methodology in Tel Afar and Sinjar districts, Ninewa, and , Salah Al-Din, to drive the wider adoption of a consistent approach to assessing market functionality. In all cases, the markets were deemed to be functional and competitive enough to support cash-based interventions. In addition, in March - April 2018, the Cash Working Group (CwG) initiated a JRAM across the western Anbar districts of Ana, Qa’im, and Ru’ua, with Terre des Hommes (TdH) and three CCI partners – International Rescue Committee (IRC), Mercy Corps and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). These activities also revealed a high level of confidence among both trader and respondent groups. All wholesaler key informants (KIs), regardless of where they were located, reported that they would have the ability to respond to a 50% increase in demand. Similar figures were reported when retailer and wholesaler KIs were asked about their ability to respond to a 100% increase in demand; 100% of retailers in Qa’im, 86% of those based in Ru’ua and 75% of those based in Ubaydi, Ana, reported that they would be confident that they would have the ability to respond to this level of increased demand.

Conduct vulnerability assessments: At the same time that the OFDA-FFP program was launched, CCI partners revised the vulnerability assessments and PDM to include questions pertaining to OFDA-FFP outcome indicators (see Annex 3 - Revised CCI Tools). Meanwhile, other questions were removed to ensure the assessment process remained rapid. The vulnerability assessment takes approximately 30 minutes, and utilizing the CCI database-- all forms are strictly harmonized and data is aggregated at the central level. Assessments are conducted by using the CCI harmonized vulnerability assessment tool. The results of these assessments provide information relating to key demographic and socio-economic indicators of displaced households and host communities. Across all CCI programs, the CCI partners have conducted 68,263 vulnerability assessments across Ninewa, Salah Al-Din and Anbar governorates since the OFDA-FFP award was launched in August. Key findings from OFDA-FFP vulnerability assessments are as follows:

● 63% of those assessed have been without any work for the past 30 days. ● 34.8% of respondents were IDPs and 57.2% were returnees, reflecting the overall trend throughout Iraq of increasing return movements. ● Priority needs include food (23%), shelter (19%) and cash (15%). ● 295% of household income-to-expenditure ratio in the target areas.

MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 4 ● An average of 2,382,580 IQD per household in cumulative debts in Anbar, Ninewa and Salah Al-Din governorates. ● The most commonly used negative coping strategies were (i) reduced expenditure on essential non-food or basic needs, and (ii) buying on credit or borrowed money to purchase basic needs. ● 41% of beneficiary households reported adequate access to non-food items. ● 60% of beneficiary households’ shelter solutions met agreed technical and performance standards. ● 59% of beneficiary households reported adequate access to essential hygiene items. ● 60% of beneficiary households reported adequate access to water, as defined by Sphere or national standards. ● 52% of beneficiary households with ‘acceptable’ food consumption as measured by the Food Consumption Score. CCI partners intervene into communities in coordination with members of the community at the district level. CCI partners use a blanket approach for conducting vulnerability assessments, with field teams typically going house- to-house in a target location to assess all households for their potential eligibility for MPCA. Though the door-to- door approach is time-consuming, this method allows CCI teams to witness and confirm the vulnerability of the households being assessed. This approach further ensures equal opportunity for all households in a target location being assessed for possible eligibility. As territory has been re-taken from IS throughout this performance period, CCI partners have expanded their humanitarian presence. However, widespread unexploded ordnance and security concerns has, on some occasions, meant the partners were unable to conduct blanket door-to-door assessments under the OFDA-FFP programme.In these instances, CCI partners have adopted a centralized assessment method where households are informed about the date, time and venue where they can be assessed. This method was utilized in Al Tenak neighborhood of West Mosul. Community committees have also been consulted in Baji, Salah Al-Din. However, in all cases eligibility was determined by the CCI vulnerability assessment.

Close coordination with local authorities helped CCI partners identify new returnee populations in Al-Zanjili, Saqa, Shifa and 7 Nissan neighborhoods in Mosul district of Ninewa. A CCI partner recently conducted a needs assessment in Old Mosul and in Tel Abta district (88 km southwest of Mosul) for a potential MPCA intervention in the coming months. The needs are high in these two locations, the level of destruction is enormous and the population is slowly returning to limited services. New areas in Salah Al-Din have also been identified by one CCI partner, specifically in Balad district and Tulul Al Baj in Shirqat district, as a large influx of returnees is anticipated in these areas. The partner operating in this area is coordinating with local authorities to obtain the necessary approvals and plans to start the market and beneficiary vulnerability assessments in April 2018. Another CCI partner has already moved forward with implementing cash assistance programming in Tulul Al Baj where needs are high. Conduct duplication checks: To promote efficiency as well as effectiveness, CCI partners have divided areas of intervention under the OFDA-FFP award at either the district or sub-district level, depending on needs and population density. However, cross-checking exercises were conducted across all partners to mitigate duplication due to the frequent movement of IDPs during their displacement period. Duplication checks were conducted by the CCI at the central level including both assessed and assisted households. In addition, to promote rigor and accuracy, each CCI partner shares proposed beneficiary lists prior to distributions to ensure that households receiving cash assistance from one CCI partner are not receiving cash from other organizations. If the unique household information is shown as a duplicate, it is circulated to other CCI partners to double check if the household has received MPCA and, if so, households were removed from the eligibility list. Utilizing the data sharing agreements with non-CCI actors, the CCI has run duplication checks with ACTED, Tearfund, Care International and Tdh since the OFDA-FFP award was launched. Moreover, duplication checks have also been conducted with UNHCR and WFP.

Verification: As per the CCI MEAL guidelines, CCI partners conducted participant verification surveys after the MPCA Vulnerability Assessment by randomly sampling both eligible and non-eligible households, This is in order to confirm that beneficiaries meet the selection criteria. M&E teams verified the beneficiary samples with a 90% confidence level and 10% margin of error, and shared all the results with the rest of their cash teams. If a mismatch between registration and verification was found to be above 20% among the sample, the entire list was subjected to re-assessment. Additionally, as part the verification process, CCI partner M&E teams monitored cash distributions on-site and collected verification and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) data as per CCI standardized tools and methodology. During this performance period, 10,416 verification surveys were conducted for households residing in Anbar, Ninewa and Salah Al-Din. MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 5 Distribute MPCA: CCI partners carried out cash distributions in line with best practices. A core component of carrying out a smooth and orderly distribution process was to ensure that the distribution location was safe and secure. To ensure additional security, CCI partner cash teams coordinated with local authorities and security forces to inform them about the cash distribution location and timing, to ensure that they are aware of the activity and to avoid the presence of armed security forces in or near the distribution. CCI partners selected distribution venues based on whether they meet three key criterion, namely: 1) obtaining security clearance by the CCI partner’s security department; as well as 2) proximity to the target populations; and 3) easy access for vulnerable beneficiaries, such as people with disabilities or elderly persons, protection from severe weather and locations with suitable facilities to ensure beneficiaries’ comfort whilst waiting to receive cash, such as chairs, toilets, fans and water. CCI partner staff managed and oversaw all points of the distribution process from start to finish. To avoid large crowds at the distribution location, beneficiaries are notified of the location and time of the distribution one day in advance. Partners ensured a reasonable number of beneficiaries at each distribution, and were conscientious of crowd-control measures. Partners’ staff then checked beneficiary identification documents against the distribution list. If documentation matched, the beneficiary signed or printed their thumbprint next to their name on the list. The beneficiary then proceeded to a table where the money transfer agent representative gave the individual 480,000 Iraqi Dinar (IQD), with oversight by members of staff who asked beneficiaries to count and confirm the amount. Each beneficiary was then asked to sign the distribution list via thumb or finger print.

During distributions, all households received guidance on the use of cash assistance in order to meet their needs. This information was printed in and displayed on distribution desks. The guidance outlined the inability to spend cash assistance on school fees, medicines, health-related items, pharmaceutical items and other restricted goods. UNOPS IDP call center cards were distributed to ensure beneficiaries had access to information about free services offered locally.

On-site monitoring of cash distributions: CCI partners invited members of their M&E teams to monitor the distribution process. Partners also conducted exit interviews with beneficiaries before they left the distribution site, to ensure that the beneficiaries were happy with the distribution process. This ensures that if any negative feedback is received, this can be acted upon in real time to improve the process for beneficiaries immediately. No issues were highlighted during this process, apart from one distribution when several beneficiaries mentioned the distribution site was too far, and another when some beneficiaries mentioned the queues were long. This information was fed back to program staff to ensure awareness and consideration moving forward.

All CCI partners attended a kick-off meeting organized by OFDA’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to initiate the formal process of third party monitoring by the International Business and Technology Consultants Inc (IBTCI). Since then, third party monitoring visits were conducted on 25 February, 8 March and 28 March in Ninewa governorate (Mosul and Sinjar districts). The objective of the visits was to provide MPCA stakeholders with timely, independent, impartial primary data on the location, progress, outputs, outcomes, quality, timeliness, challenges, and successes of programming in Iraq. The visit proceeded as planned, with third party monitors interviewing CCI Partner staff members, cash transfer representatives, and local community leaders. Focus group discussions were also conducted with beneficiaries to give them an opportunity to provide feedback on the assistance they have received. All the field visits received a green flag from the monitors indicating that the CCI partners’ are implementing good quality programming that is meeting intended needs.

Post-Distribution Monitoring: CCI partners conducted PDM surveys door-to-door when feasible, and over the phone when security concerns inhibited field monitors from visiting households. PDM surveys were conducted between two weeks and one month after the cash disbursement to ensure accurate recall, while still allowing for the effects of the transfer to take hold. Partner staff collected the data through a mobile data collection platform common to all CCI partners, which facilitated aggregated analysis and reporting, and was then shared with CCI via the central CCI database, i.e. Survey CTO. The PDM methodology has followed the CCI guidelines of 95% confidence with an 8% margin of error and random sampling. PDMs conducted by CCI partners during the reporting period focused on beneficiary coping strategies, satisfaction with targeting, the distribution process and cash utilization. The findings show high levels of beneficiary’s satisfaction (see PDM Annex 1).

MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 6 The majority of households receiving cash i.e 99.8%, were satisfied or very satisfied with the selection process, and 98% of them reported being content with the amount of cash distributed. While PDM data across modalities of cash assistance shows that households’ main sources of income tended to remain similar pre- and post-MPCA distribution, many households reported relying more on INGO support following activities. The distribution sites were described as being safe by all households and deemed accessible by the 98% of households across governorates. The PDM surveys also showed a significant decrease in negative coping strategies (i.e 71%) for the households targeted by the intervention. The coping strategies that showed the highest reduction across the cash delivery modalities were (i) restricting adult consumption, (ii) limiting portion sizes at meals, and (iii) moving to less preferred housing.

To inform learning across the CCI, in February 2018 the CCI started conducting qualitative research into the usage and impact of MPCA among one-off and multi-month OFDA-FFP beneficiaries in the areas of intervention. The aim of the focus group discussions (FGDs), is to explore how beneficiaries are using MPCA, and what noticeable impacts, the MPCA has on their ability to meet critical basic needs. As noted above, as part of the CCI’s monitoring and evaluation process, post-distribution monitoring is conducted among a sample of recipients of one-off and multi- month cash assistance, which provides an endline to the MPCA process, and collects quantitative data regarding beneficiary satisfaction, expenditure, and usage of negative coping strategies. The research for OFDA-FFP will complement the CCI’s PDM data and will explore how families living in different governorates, under different circumstances with different vulnerability profiles, and with different preferences and priorities, choose to spend their MPCA, how MPCA affects family and local community relations, whether they observe any local economy effects following distributions of cash assistance, and whether the MPCA allowed their household to plan for the future. After developing the FGD questionnaire with consultation and approval by the CCI’s Technical Working Group (attached in Annex 6), the CCI’s Research and Advocacy coordinator led on designing the methodology for the research and training of the CCI partner field teams.

The methodology was to conduct FGDs with OFDA-FFP beneficiaries in Anbar, Ninewa, and Salah Al-Din using the TWG-approved questionnaire. The sample of participants was drawn from those who have received one-off and multi-month payments of OFDA-FFP funded MPCA, and who have not been included in the sample PDM. The reason for not approaching households who had been included in the sample PDM was to avoid over-assessment: for households who had received 3 rounds of MPCA, they could have been contacted up to 3 times for PDM, after assessment and verification. To then invite those households for a 60-75 minute focus group was deemed too intrusive.The quantity of FGDs conducted was driven by 3 considerations: a quantity that would adequately capture the differences in MPCA usage and impact across the conflict-affected governorates; a quantity that would allow for good understanding of how household-level circumstances affect spending priorities and decisions; and a quantity that could be realistically completed within the agreed timeframe by CCI partner field teams (3 weeks of data collection). It was agreed that 30 FGDs (6 FGDs per CCI partner) would be a sufficient quantity that allow for good insights. However, if after the initial coding and analysis the data was found to be insufficient, more FGDs would be conducted.

The FGDs involved 8 participants per discussion, segregated by gender [3 female FGDs and 3 male FGDs per CCI partner] and by MPCA result – R1 or R3. This is to keep with cultural norms in the selected governorates, ensure comfortable and free discussions, and avoid any potential tensions through inviting recipients of one-off and multi- month payments to the same discussion. There was be an emphasis on R3 beneficiaries, in line with CCI targets, however this was dependent on the available participants in the CCI partner beneficiary lists.

In March 2018 the CCI visited each of the CCI partner field offices in Anbar (NRC) and Salah al-Din (DRC and IRC) to conduct 4 training sessions covering how to conduct good FGDs, and on the aims of the research and the FGD questionnaire used for this study. In total, 34 staff participated in the training. The Mercy Corps and Oxfam Mosul teams completed the training in . The training materials were translated into Arabic, and verbal Arabic translation was also provided during the training.

All 30 FGDs have now been completed, and after translation of the transcripts, the CCI will start the coding and analysis. The final report will be ready for TWG review by the end of May, 2018, before submission to OFDA-FFP.

MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 7 Complaints and feedback mechanism: CCI and its partners integrated community feedback and response mechanisms into each distribution, supplemented by regular communication activities including both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries.

Feedback channels included the use of a partner-operated toll-free hotlines, a feedback box, and feedback desks where members of staff are present to address issues that may arise during the distribution, provide immediate solutions where possible, and enable all beneficiaries to submit complaints/feedback. Meanwhile, all CCI partners distributed UNOPS IDP call center cards at distributions (with their toll-free hotline) to provide beneficiaries with an external route to lodge complaints or provide feedback if required. All these mechanisms have been implemented simultaneously to ensure that beneficiaries’ feedback and complaints are captured and addressed promptly. To enhance overall accountability and promote learning, all CCI partners submit a summary of complaints to the CCI on a quarterly basis. Analysis of the complaints in the reporting period found that about 64% of the complaints were regarding exclusion. These were generally households that had been assessed but had not met the vulnerability threshold, or households that had not been assessed but wanted assistance. About 30% of the complaints were households requesting to be assessed for cash assistance. There was a large increase in submissions to the feedback mechanism in the second half of September and November 2017, with notable increase in early December 2017 and late January, which was in line with overall programming volume, as there were several large- scale cash distributions. Of all the complaints received in the reporting period, 92% were resolved successfully and closed while only 8% were still open and in progress. For closed cases, the average response time was 11.5 days, which is within the target response time as per CCI Accountability guidelines

Coordination: Under the OFDA-FFP award, there is a relatively high number of beneficiary allocations for long term displacement/returnees. Having a relatively higher caseload for multi-month cash assistance for the R2 and R3 categories(i.e., 2 months and 3 months’ cash assistance) has given CCI partners flexibility to cover R2 caseload under OFDA-FFP for those who received one off payment under other awards. This linking strategy has helped partners maximize the effectiveness of MPCA across the entire portfolio, ensure a vulnerability based approach, and complement funding for other geographic areas. This approach was utilized in Salah Al-Din and Ninewa during this performance period. Meanwhile, partners have sought common funding included in other CCI programmes (GAC, ECHO and DFID) to respond to unanticipated needs identified under the OFDA-FFP award. CCI and its partners work together to enhance the effectiveness of multipurpose cash assistance, harmonize the cash transfer approach, avoid potential duplication and increase the project reach. To achieve this, CCI partners work closely with each other through the established governance mechanisms. The technical working group has met at least once every two weeks since the award began to ensure close coordination on all aspects of programming, as well as information sharing. Moreover, the CCI coordinates with other non-CCI actors. CCI partners also coordinated with several agencies in the field, in order to divide the areas of operation and avoid duplication including the German Red Cross, Tearfund, MedAir, Care International and ICRC in particular.

Proactive coordination in the field amongst CCI partners is promoted and encouraged. Bilateral meetings amongst CCI partners also achieve this aim. In February 2018, a coordination meeting was held between two different partner cash teams in order to agree on technical points concerning implementation in Anbar. This discussion included details of geographical areas of intervention, the exchanging of security updates, access updates, and cross checking of distribution lists to prior each activity carried out by both parties. In Al Qa’im particularly, CCI partners has sought to coordinate closely with other partners in the Rawa-Al Qa’im corridor. This partner will also continue to coordinate with non-CCI actors including TdH and PiN to mitigate overlap and facilitate caseload redirect. This partner is also in the process of establishing legal assistance services in Al Qa’im to complement its own activities and also to provide support to other CCI partners.

CCI partner field coordination meetings also took place in Mosul in March 2018. The meetings gave partners an opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge of Mosul. In Salah Al-Din, CCI partner meetings took place with all five partners present to clarify and confirm areas of cash programming. Coverage of nearly all Shirqat district through MPCA programming was made possible by the close coordination between two CCI partners, along with Terres Des Hommes (TDH). In this area, CCI partners agreed that a clear geographical division would be most effective and transparent method for programming. This approach worked well on the ground, as there was almost no risk for overlap (with a river dividing the district into East and West). MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 8

All CCI partners closely coordinated with local authorities to ensure their cooperation and coordination with programming. In Ninewa governorate, partners consistently coordinated with local community leaders at the sub- district level to ensure the efficiency and security of vulnerability assessments and distributions. In Shirqat, Salah Al-Din, partners met with local authorities to introduce the MPCA program and explain organizational principles and procedures, and in Al Qa'im, CCI partners have coordinated with the mayor's office.

Engagement in the CwG: Throughout the reporting period, CCI partners engaged with the CwG through regular attendance at CwG meetings and through ad hoc conversations with CwG partners. Regular participation in the CwG allows CCI partner input into the discussions, and partners can then relay information gathered during the meetings back to their individual implementation teams. Coordination with the CwG in Baghdad (co-chaired by a CCI partner), increased access to information on IDP movements from camps and areas to implement MPCA programming for CCI and non-CCI actors. In Salah Al-Din, another CCI partner created and co-chairs the Salah al- Din CwG. The CwG meetings include both CCI and non-CCI partners and aims to improve coordination between cash actors operating in the governorate. Additionally, the CwG serves as a platform to discuss lessons learned and areas of methodological improvement, and has been used to develop advocacy documents against forced evictions and other protection concerns, which were then shared with the relevant Clusters and working groups. Additionally, non-CCI members provide explanations of the programming they are implementing to ensure that the assistance they provide does not duplicate the work of the CCI. Gender Considerations: CCI partners gave priority to pregnant women, women with young children, and disabled or elderly women (as well as disabled or elderly men), allowing them to receive their cash first, and distribution locations are chosen close to the target community to limit distance travelled for all beneficiaries (including women). CCI partners also ensure that separate lines are created for males and females receiving assistance as a risk mitigation measure. In addition, CCI partners will tailor the distribution process to fit certain needs. For instance, CCI partners’ teams facilitated delivery of cash transfers for elderly or disabled men and women who were not able to move easily or enter the distribution location by conducting a tailored distribution process in or near their transportation (see attached photos in Annex 4). The PDM survey for this project also includes considerations on gender-related issues in relation to cash programming. Data emerging from PDMs conducted during this project have consistently demonstrated that MPCA does not cause disagreements within HHs, and 40% of households have reported that male and female members made joint decisions on expenditure (see Annex 1). Conflict sensitivity: CCI partners conducted a detailed security assessment and a risk analysis in all MPCA locations at the beginning of the project implementation to understand the conflict dynamics, identify potential risks associated with cash transfer programming and to put the mitigation measures in place. Before beginning cash programming, all CCI partners ensure that their staff receive intensive security training and are briefed on security- related cash programming standard operating procedures (SOPs), including policies such as staff not entering houses during assessments due to extensive structural damage as well as a widespread risk of unexploded ordnance. V. Security & Operational Issues

In Ninewa governorate, one partner was unable to perform distributions in West Mosul from October 12 -24, 2017. This was due to delays in the issuance of access letters by the relevant authorities following the tensions and checkpoint closings between Erbil and Mosul as a result of the KRI independence referendum. However, this partner soon regained access to West Mosul and was able to complete a distribution in the Ta’meem neighborhood on October 30, 2017. In the first months of 2018, program teams in West Mosul have not faced any significant access restrictions or security incidents during field assessments or distributions. However, risks remain around staff exposure to attacks that target local leaders.

In Salah Al-Din governorate, a partner faced a security issue during the reporting period. During a distribution in Tulul Al Baj sub-district of Shirqat, a sheikh from the village approached the the partner’s field team while at a checkpoint and demanded his family be assessed. Despite the partner’s polite engagement with the individual, he became agitated. Following this situation, the mayor of Tulul Al Baj apologized for the man’s behavior and reassured the program that the partners’ activities were welcome and that the neutrality of the methodology for assessment was clear to the community. Elsewhere in Salah Al-Din, access to Baiji center became a challenge for another partner in February 2018 due to changes among local authority representatives. The coordination and negotiation

MERCY CORPS Semi-Annual Report: CCI Emergency Response for Conflict-Affected Households 9 with the governor’s office and the new local authorities has started to secure the partner’s access again. The negotiation is moving forward and the partner is expecting to resume operations in the area by April 2018.

Attacks across Anbar and in Mosul city in particular have been carefully monitored by all partners’ security teams. During the reporting period, clearing operations across Mosul city caused minor delays to activities. In addition, explosive hazards continue to be a challenge, which hampers the stability of returns in Anbar. Several incidents of explosive devices going off Qa’im district, were reported in January, killing and injuring several civilians, including new returnees. Although these incidents did not affect programme activities, they indicate that staff are exposed to security issues when conducting activities. Risk of unexploded ordnance and IEDs remains high across west Anbar Governorate since the area is not yet adequately cleared by EOD organizations or ISF. Security and first aid trainings are regularly held for this partner’s staff as a risk reduction and situational awareness measure. While the partners consider the associated security risks in its program locations manageable at present, partners will maintain low visibility to reduce exposure.

VI. Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned

Humanitarian access has been challenged due to changing access requirements (across KRI-Federal Iraq boundaries). Federal Iraq visa requirements have also presented challenges for all partners of the consortium. Meanwhile, overall increases in chronic vulnerability required partners to realign targets to ensure access to appropriate assistance.

Elsewhere in Ninewa, implementation of project activities covering the most vulnerable people in Telafar, where there is no other humanitarian presence, has been a big success for CCI during this reporting period. Lessons learned include the need for increased multi-month assistance in the R3 category, and improved field coordination through CCI field-level coordination meetings to discuss challenges and further improve the delivery of project services to beneficiaries.

A more specific lesson learned arose during the partner’s assessment of households displaced from neighboring Hawija district, Kirkuk governorate, into Shirqat, Salah Al-Din. During the PDM survey carried out for a one-off distribution in Shirqat for households from Sakaniya neighborhood, the partner’s M&E team found seven households from the group who reported living in the Al Abbasy neighborhood of Hawija district. These households were assessed in Sakaniya where the distribution also took place, where the households were likely temporarily displaced and have since returned to Hawija. However, CCI partners will carefully monitor trends to ensure CCI assistance does not create pull factors. In addition, partners’ field staff are careful to explain to each household during the assessment that they are not guaranteed to receive cash. This explanation was also given to local authorities, who continue to reinforce that message to the community.

VIII. Notifications

On March 28, a request for a realignment was submitted to OFDA-FFP in response to identified need for multi- month caseload. Vulnerability has increased across all areas of intervention since the targets were developed. As such, eligibility for multi month transfers has also increased and a No-Cost Extension (NCE) was also required to enable enough time for partners to respond with appropriate assistance. This request was approved by OFDA on April 5.

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VIII. Annexes

Annex 1 - Vulnerability Assessment and PDM Survey Findings

Annex 2 - Success Story

Annex 3 - Revised CCI Tools

Annex 4 - Photos

Annex 5 - Performance Monitoring Plan

Annex 6 - Focus Group Discussion Questionnaire

Annex 7 – FFP Modality Table

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