Risk 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. 7 5 August 2018 Risk and Recovery in Iraq Section 1: Risk and Recovery Overview from 1 -31 July 2018 Section II: Emergency Response to Risks Section III: Risk Reduction and Preparedness Section IV: Recovery and Reconstruction Section V: Population Movement: Displacement and Return Section VI: Executive Decisions

Section I: Risk and Recovery Overview (1 -31 July 2018) Emergency Response to Risks Salah Governorates Thi Diyala Kirkuk Baghdad Missan Ninewa Sulaimaniya Basra Najaf Babil Diwaniya Muthana Wassit Al Risks Qar din Natural Earthquakes X X X X risks Dam collapse X water supplies X X X X X X Fire X X Technical pollution X X risks Clean water X X X X X X services Poverty X Roads X Biological decomposition X risks of corpses

Risk Reduction and Preparedness Threats \ Governorates Kerbela All governorates Biological risk - hemorrhagic fever X Access to basic services - health services X Technical risks - fire X

Recovery and Reconstruction Liberated Sector \ Governorates Ninewa Salah al-Din Governorate Health X Agriculture X Livelihood X Water X Demining activities X

Section II: Emergency Response to Risks

Natural hazards - earthquakes Description and scope of the problem: The General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring recorded earthquakes during July, as follows:  On 22 July 2018, an earthquake with magnitude of 5.9 degree on the Richter scale took place and felt by citizens in Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Halabja and Diyala - Khanaqin district and some areas of Baghdad governorate.  On 24 July 2018, an earthquake with magnitude of 4.5 degree on the Richter scale took place in Khanaqin district, Diyala governorate and felt by citizens in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja.  On 26 July 2018, an earthquake with 4.4 degree on the Richter scale, took place 15 kilometers south of Khanaqin district, Diyala governorate.

Basic Needs: - Developing engineering and technical criteria for the reduction of structural collapse in areas highly prone to earthquakes. - Promoting awareness of people and preparedness to respond to any threat caused by earthquakes.

Technical risks - Infrastructure collapses - Dams Description and scope of the problem: The representative of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center (JCMC) in Basra governorate reported the risk of collapse of the border berm between Iraq and Iran, which used to prevent the flow of Iranian sewage to Shatt al-Arab. At the end of 2017, there was erosion in the dam and therefore a field team under the supervision of the Directorate of Water Resources and Basra Oil Company was appointed to address the erosion in the berm and completed the work on 4/2/2018. A total of 13 km long and a width between 6 m - 8 m maintenance completed, but due to the rise of Iranian sewage, storms and rain in the region, the dam was eroded in a similar manner, and in the same places. A catastrophic humanitarian and environmental disaster is expected in the event of collapse.

Summary of response procedures: - The Council of Ministers decided in its session held on 31 July 2018 to allocate 4 four billion Iraqi dinars to the Ministry of Water Resources to achieve urgent and comprehensive maintenance this year to the border, as well as the allocation of 500 million dinars for annual maintenance. The Council also directed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Health, Environment, Water Resources and the local government in Basra to negotiate immediately with the Iranian side on a joint project to get rid of the threat of polluting Shatt al-Arab or the possibility of the berm collapse of the border. - The JCMC has approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Iranian side to find a radical solution for the drainage of the waters coming into Iraqi territory by opening a drainage channel towards the Shad marshes and from there to the Gulf. In addition, directing

the relevant government agencies to take the necessary actions to prevent the collapse of the dam. The JCMC had proved the risk of a landslide collapse in its report in March.

Proposals submitted by the JCMC representational office in the governorate to address the problem  Approaching the following relevant sectors: Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Construction and Public Municipalities, Basrah Petroleum Company, Basra Ports Company, Border Guard Command, and mobilizing an automated and field effort to treat the affected areas as a quick solution to avoid posing danger.  Maintaining the dam as required according to a technical study by injecting it with appropriate materials to prevent erosion.  Approaching the Iranian side about the need to find a solution for the discharge of the sewage water that flows into the Iraqi territories by opening a drainage channel to the Shadakan marshlands and from there to the Arabian Gulf.

Technical risks - water supply Description and scope of the problem: The tidal movement of the sea and climate factors as well as the lack of water in the rivers in Basra governorate sharply increase concentrations of saline in Shatt al-Arab, and this has been continuing since May. The highest levels were registered in Sehan areas with 30.000 ppm while in Abu al-khaseeb (16,000) ppm, in the center of Basra (11.000 ppm), in Kteban (6.000 ppm) and it is about 150 km far from the Gulf. The water of Shatt al-Arab is not anymore suitable for drinking or for agriculture, causing the suspension of all water stations and water desalination. Noteworthy, the salinity of the sea is between 31,000 and 35,000 ppm.

Proposals submitted by the representative of the JCMC in the governorate to address the problem  Continuing to increase the water retention from the back of Nazem Qal'at Salih at a rate of 7.5 m3 / s and maintain this percentage to push the salinity.  Forming a joint operations room among the governorates of Wassit, Missan and Basrah to coordinate with local governments and water resources departments to eliminate trespasses on the Tigris River in order to deliver the planned water quota to the governorate.  Approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Iranian side to open the Karun River as well as halt directing sewage water to the Shatt al-Arab.  Work on the implementation of large desalination plants depending on the sea water in the Faw and Umm Qasr and feeding the center of the governorate and districts as well as the nearby areas.  Forming a high committee composing of relevant government agencies to accelerate the identification of a planned dam location on Shatt al-Arab to regulate the movement of water and prevent the progress of the saline to Basra.

 Directing the formed committees that are responsible for the British loan for Basrah water to prepare a study and design by adopting radical solutions to the water crisis in Basra and avoid the temporary or patchwork solutions to solve the crisis.

Description of activity: The Cabinet allocated 5 billion dinars to the Ministry of Water Resources for the treatment of water shortage and approved the recommendations of the Civil Crisis Management Cell to study the status of pollution in the waters of the Tigris River within the administrative boundaries of Baghdad governorate. The Ministry of Water Resources and related ministries, Diwaniyah, Thi-Qar and Muthanna governorates were granted an exception of the instructions to implement government contracts and instructions for the implementation of the federal budget for emergency works according to each case in the governorates that suffer water pollution in the rivers and water scarcity.

Description of activity: The Ministry of Water Resources indicated that the areas where wells can be dug in Wassit Governorate are: Badra, Jassan, Shehabi and some areas of Sheikh Saad to obtain wells suitable for agricultural purposes. The salt content is less than 6.000 mg / L. Salinity in other areas are higher than 10,000 mg / L and are not suitable for domestic and agricultural uses. The ministry also indicated that it has already drilled 255 wells in the mentioned areas within the water points survey project which is suitable for agricultural use.

Technical risks - fires Description of the problem: a huge fire inside two stores for motorcycles and spare parts broke out between Beirut Square and the intersection of Al Kindi Hospital in the Rusafa side, Baghdad governorate. Response procedures The Directorate of Civil Defense carried out rapid response operations. The firefighting operations took 6 hours, involving 5 fire teams. There were no casualties.

Description and scope of the problem: The JCMC representative in Missan governorate indicated that there is an increase in the number of fires in the marshes of the governorate in general and the Hawizah in particular, which is estimated at 1.373 km 2 and is a protected nature in the UNESCO regulations. The geographical area of the recent fires spread to large areas within the Iraqi-Iranian border because of the vast dry areas of the Marshlands and the inability of the civil defense teams to reach there because it is wet clay land and the absence of specialized mechanisms. The fires continued for several days, leaving clouds of smoke in many cities and the center of the governorate, which negatively affects the health of the population and the environment.

Causes of fires:  High temperatures and dryness of most areas of the marshes because of water scarcity and dry reed plant, which makes it easy to ignite, especially in the summer.  Some of the inhabitants of the marsh burned the cane plant under the pretext of growing new cane plants.

 Negligence of fishermen and tourists to comply with the regulations of environmental behavior when preparing meals using primitive means.

Proposals submitted by the JCMC representative in the government  Increase water releases to the Marshlands to reduce the proportion of dry areas, which will result in a positive reduction in the proportion of fire and ease of control.  Establishing an early warning system for fire and the use of aircraft technology for monitoring in the summer in order to provide a rapid response in the event of fires.  Working to provide specialized mechanisms to extinguish fires in the marshes (amphibious machines, private boats, aircraft).  Conducting awareness programs for the Marsh population on the danger of fire and its negative effects.

Technical risks - pollution Description of activity: The Ministry of Industry and Minerals revealed its procedures regarding the problem piles of tires in the General Company for Rubber Industries and Tires, and how lightning rods caused radiation in this company. In this regard, JCMC report for April explained the following:  The General Company for Rubber Industries and Tires concluded a joint contract with Al- Kout Towers for Trading and Contracting and with technical support from AGOGUE for the implementation of recycling project at the Diwaniya Tire Factory site for 12 months from the date of operation.  The company is committed to providing evidence that the project is free from environmental impacts and in the case of environmental impacts, the company will deal with it.  Regarding the system of lightning rods in the company, coordination is ongoing with the Iraqi Authority to Control the Radioactive Sources where the detection was conducted and is currently in the stage of preparedness to eliminate radioactive sources in the lightning rods in the company while should be buried in appropriate sites. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense, Directorate of chemicals.

Description of activity: The Ministry of Oil revealed its procedures regarding the pollution caused by oil production operations in the Nahir Ben Omar area, Basrah governorate in accordance with the information of the JCMC report for March, as follows:  Changing the location of burners is currently being considered by the Project Authority (Design Section) and changing it into environment-friendly Green flare.  Halting the production of wells number 14 and 25 NR as they contain sulfur. Its production capacity was more than 14 thousand barrels / day. Orain company is also contracted to fully invest in gas and extinguish the burners.  Withdrawing crude oil and preparing preliminary designs for the installation of the contaminated water separation system for Ben Umar gas station. Currently, the financial

allocations for the project are being provided and the Italian company, SSE is rehabilitating the control system for the oil units to control the outside water.  According to the report of the Ministry of Health - Department of Health, Basra, it is not possible to predict the causes of cancer or link the production of oil with the increase of cancer rates.  The committee formed by the provincial council to study the mechanism of compensating the affected people.

Technical risks - Access to basic services - Clean water services: Description of activity: Diyala and Salahuddin Governorates provide Iraqi Red Crescent Society with a list of areas that require installation of water purification plants to provide safe drinking water to 12 villages in Diyala and 8 villages in Salah al-din. The JCMC is coordinating with its representative offices in the governorates to provide the Red Crescent Society with a consolidated list of the driest areas in order to prepare lists for the installation of water desalination plants.

Description of activity: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has carried out projects to enhance the quantities of water supplied to citizens and improve the quality, as shown in the table below:

Governorate Description of activity Babylon The Kefal water unit was installed in the city of Hilla benefitting 47,000 people, including 3,052 displaced persons Najaf Improve the performance of pumping station in Najaf city in order to maintain the station and increase the provision of water for about 760,000 people, including 11,000 displaced in the city and areas on the Karbala- Najaf road. Baghdad Rehabilitation of the Nahrawan water pumping station in the district of Al- Madain where the project aims to restore the plant to its planned capacity and improve the water purification process to benefit 195,756 individuals. Missan Completion of rehabilitation of the Karama water station in Amara district, Missan governorate benefitting about 90.000 individuals

Technical risks - changes in the socio-economic environment - poverty Description and scope of the problem: Muthanna Governorate indicated that 52% of the population in Muthanna governorate are below the poverty risk, noting that the total population of Muthanna governorate is 793.346 people according to the Ministry of Planning estimates for 2017. This indicates that the unemployment rates are high among the population of the governorate which is a problem in most governorates and a challenge that needs quick treatments through rehabilitation programs and job creation schemes. The governorate also mentioned that there is weakness in the activities of humanitarian organizations in providing support to the directorates of education, health, women, labor and social affairs.

Technical risks - access to basic services - roads Description of the problem: The presence of sharp bumps and cracks in the main road linking Baghdad and the northern governorates through Khalis district in Diyala governorate, especially at Khalis checkpoint impedes the movement of vehicles, causes traffic accidents, affects human lives and causes damage to property.

Response Procedures:  The JCMC representational Office in Diyala governorate to approach the Directorate of Roads and Bridges of Diyala to address the problem. Biological hazards - human epidemics - decomposition of bodies Description of activity: The JCMC representational Office in Ninewa Governorate reported that the number of the civilian dead bodies pulled from under the mound of rubble in west Mosul reached 1,601, and the number of unidentified bodies pulled from the western bank of Tigris River and from the mound of rubble in the Old city between 15 April and 1 July has reached 1,728 bodies; of which, 226 bodies were pulled out in the Ayyadiyah area.

Section III: Risk Reduction and Preparedness Biological risk - hemorrhagic fever Description of danger: the spread of animal sheds and random grazing near the residential areas in Karbala city resulted in negative effects in the breakout of epidemic diseases, including hemorrhagic fever

Actions taken:  The departments of the municipality in Karbala to implement a campaign to remove animals sheds from more than 12 districts and neighborhoods in the city.

Technical risks-Access to Basic Services-Health Services Description of activity: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Environment, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European High Commission for Humanitarian Aid and the Department of Civil Protection (ECHO), launched a series of capacity-building workshops for more than 200 participants in the health sector, including doctors, laboratory technicians and specialists Epidemiologists from all regions across Iraq.

Technical risk - fires Description of activity: Karbala Governorate formed a committee headed by the information technology officer in the JCMC representational office and the membership of representatives of several departments in the governorate to develop scientific treatments and standards and controls to apply in commercial centers to prevent the occurrence of fires and reduce their effects.

Section IV: Recovery and Reconstruction 1. Achievements of Recovery and Reconstruction projects Sector Governorate Achievements Health Ninewa The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has established a new physical rehabilitation center in Mosul. Agriculture With funding from the European Union, FAO implements a cash-for-work program where 1,250 households will be able to earn income, benefiting total of about 7,500 people directly in agricultural areas west of Mosul. It should be noted that the results of this work will also enable farmers to access the water needed to irrigate crops and livestock by rehabilitating and establishing watersheds, roads, river dams and subways. Livelihood The Iraqi Red Crescent Society, in cooperation with the ICRC, distributed cash assistance to 835 families from the Old City of Mosul on 17 and 18 July. Each family received 480,000 dinars. Water Salah al-Din ICRC has supplied the water department in the governorate with water- purification materials (Calcium Hypochlorite) covering 10 water units; 2 of which are in Tikrit, 2 in Baiji, 2 in Al-Alam and 4 in Shirqat. This activity will contribute to the provision of potable water to some 65,000 people. Demining Liberated The Government of France has donated US $ 590,000 for the management of areas explosive risks and to support the restoration of stability in liberated areas. 2. Summary of projects of the Fund for the Reconstruction of Areas Affected by Terrorist Operations from November 2016 to 30 June 2018: Governorate Total # of projects Completed projects Total cost of projects Anbar 165 133 57.491.308.280 Babylon 20 19 3.047.093.000 Baghdad (surrounding areas) 19 11 6.501.331.370 Diyala 15 11 5.243.502.500 Salah al-Din 33 13 12.589.199.000 Kirkuk - 14 3.190.630.500 Ninewa 45 16 17.290.054.450

Section V: Population Movement: Displacement and Return  The JCMC representati Office in Ninewa held a meeting with the organizations managing camps in Ninewa to discuss the camps consolidation and closure and the reasons beyond families’ preference to stay in camps. The Committee also agreed to meet in August after each organization completed an integrated study on camps they are running to take appropriate decisions.  According to the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoMD), the total number of displaced persons (Emergency Displacement 2014) reached 1.057.331 families (5,817,345 individuals) as of 24 July 2018. The number of returnees registered with the security forces reached 457,050 families (2,512,225). The number of displaced persons and their families remained at 600,930 (3,305,188). As of 22 July, the number of closed camps reached 32 in all governorates due to voluntary return. The table below shows the number of returning and remaining families for each governorate:

# returning families # families in Return Governorate # IDP families registered with the security displacement percentage forces Ninewa 492.552 109.799 382.753 22% Anbar 269.671 169.270 100.401 63% Salah al-Din 141.176 122.949 18.227 87% Diyala 64.864 34.732 30.414 53% Kirkuk 52.061 2.288 49.773 4% Baghdad 28.553 17.000 11.553 60% Babylon 8.454 0.000 8.454 0% Total 1.057.331 456.038 601.575 43%

Section VI: Executive Decisions

Risk Category Risk Zone Recommendation Implementing party Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities Ministry of Interior - Natural hazards - Areas at risk of Take action to meet the basic needs Directorate General of earthquakes earthquakes Civil Defense Relevant Governorates Relevant Agencies and organizations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities Ministry of Water Resources Ministry of Defense - Technical risks - Identifying procedures for addressing the Basra Operations Infrastructure Basra risk and benefiting from the received Command collapses - Dams proposals Ministry of Interior - Border Guard Command Ministry of Oil - Basra Oil Company Ministry of Transport - Basra Ports Company Basra Governorate JCMC Representative Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Identifying procedures for addressing the Technical risks - Construction, Housing Basra risk and benefiting from the received water supply and Municipalities proposals Ministry of Water Resources Ministry of Agriculture

Basra Governorate Missan Governorate Wassit Governorate JCMC Representative Ministry of Water Resources Ministry of Interior - Identifying procedures for addressing the Directorate General of Technical risks - fire Missan risk and benefiting from the received Civil Defense proposals Governorate of Missan Relevant Organizations and agencies JCMC Representative Ministry of Water Resources Ministry of Providing JCMC with reports on the Construction, Housing number of wells drilled in the areas, the Technical risks - and Municipalities Diyala quantities of water produced by the access to clean Diyala Governorate Salah al-Din installed filtration stations, the number of water Salah ad Din beneficiaries and the proportion of water Governorate in the treatment of water shortage Iraqi Red Crescent Society JCMC Representative Ministry of Planning Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Technical risks – Muthanna Identifying causes of high poverty and risk Organizations and poverty management mechanisms relevant agencies

Muthanna Governorate JCMC Representative Ministry of Construction, Housing Technical risks- and Municipalities access to basic Diyala repair the damaged road Baghdad Governorate services- roads Diyala Governorate JCMC Representative

Abdul Amir Mohammed Ali Hussein Head of JCMC

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