A N B A R POST-FEBRUARY 22 EMERGENCY IDP MONITORING AND ASSESSMENTS NOVEMBER 20, 2006

Capital: Ramadi Districts: Fallujah, Al-Qaim, Ramadi, Ana, Haditha, Heet, Al Rutba. Total post-Feb. 22 IDPs as of reporting date : 3,378 families 1 Total IDP and IDP returnee pre-Feb. 22: 12,497 families (in addition to 38,000 IDP returnee families)

POST-FEBRUARY 22 EMERGENCY IDP MONITOR I NG AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS: BACKGROUND

An alarming increase in displacement due to heightened tensions after the bombing of the Askariya shrine in Samarra on February 22, 2006 brought to light the need for comprehensive, thorough monitoring and assessments of the recently-displaced populations. IOM has been assessing IDPs displaced since February 22 in the central and southern 15 governorates in Iraq.

The monitors use IDP Rapid Assessment Templates for both IDP groups and individual IDP families. The IDP Rapid Assessment Template addresses a number of issues and needs, including food, health care, water and sanitation, documentation, and property. In addition, the templates outline the IDPs’ future intentions. Monitors visit IDP tribal and community leaders, local NGOs, local government bodies, and individual IDP families to gather information and complete the templates. Once the information is gathered, it is then entered into a database for analysis.

After the information from the templates is collected and analyzed, IOM returns to the governorates to gather additional information from the field. This additional information provides a more in-depth look at the situation and issues surrounding displacement in each governorate.

With this information, IOM is developing Governorate Needs Assessments for the 15 central and southern governorates in Iraq. These Governorate Needs Assessments will assist IOM and other agencies to prioritize areas of operation, plan emergency responses, and design long-term, durable solutions programs.

POST-FEBRUARY 22 IDP OVERVIEW

Background

Anbar governorate is located to the west of Baghdad and stretches from the capital to Jordan and Syria. This governorate extends for 138,000 square kilometres and is mostly desert. Forming part of the Sunni Triangle, the governorate is predominantly populated by Sunni Arabs.

1 IOM reports 6,426 families as displaced due to religious violence. Another 3,866 families were displaced due to military operations, militia actions and tribal fighting. However, assessments were completed for 3,379 families, which represent both IDPs displaced due to religious and armed violence.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Anbar has experienced some of the greatest violence and conflict of any Iraqi governorate over the past few years. Fallujah and Ramadi districts in the governorate have suffered attacks due to fighting between the Multi-National Forces in Iraq and insurgents since May 2003. The fighting between the insurgents in Fallujah and the MNF intensified in April 2004, where over 250,000 persons fled the city and headed to Baghdad and other surrounding villages. Clashes are still occurring in Ramadi, resulting in the destruction of health facilities, the occupation of buildings, and a cessation of school activities.

Due to the security situation, IDP monitors had to closely coordinate with local religious and tribal leaders. They have important influence in Anbar and helped ensure the security of the monitors during their interviews.

The following information provides an overview of the current situation, highlights needs, and suggested areas of intervention relating to recently-displaced IDPs in Anbar. Information was gathered from a variety of sources: IDP representatives, the IDP host community, local authorities, partner NGOs and other NGOs working in these areas.

Despite increasing insecurity and instability throughout Iraq, IOM strives to stay abreast with updated and accurate information. Displacement is ongoing, however, and displacement information changes on a daily basis.

Total displaced :

As of the reporting date (November 20), 3,378 families were identified and assessed. These IDPs live in Heet (1,430 families, 42% of the displaced), Falluja (675, 20% of the displaced), Ana (490 families, 15% of the displaced), Ramadi (423, 13% of the displaced), Haditha (200 families, 6% of the displaced), Al-Rutba (110 families, 3%), Al-Ka’im (39 families, 1%) and (11 families, less than 1%) did not provide an answer.

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Ethnicity :

All IDPs who chose to respond were Arab IDPs and all reported that they were Sunni Muslim.

Anbar is one of the few governorates that is predominantly Sunni, so Sunni IDPs are seeking refuge there, despite the lack of infrastructure and services and the continuous instability and military and tribal fighting.

Places of Origin :

69% of the IDPs interviewed were displaced from within Anbar (mostly due to armed conflict), with the second largest group coming from Baghdad. Only a few IDPs have fled north from the south, specifically from Basrah and Babylon.

The percentages from each of the governorates or origin are as follows:

Anbar: 69% Baghdad: 29% Basrah: 2% Babylon: less than 1%

IDPs' Place of Origin (Anbar)

Baseah Baghdad 1.66% 29.01%

Babylon Anbar 0.03% 69.30%

Idp's Displaced from within Anbar

Al-Ka'im Al-Rutba Ramadi 1.45% 4.70% 17.77% Ana 18.62%

Falluja 11.02% Heet 46.43%

Reasons for Displacement :

The reasons that IDPs were displaced to Anbar vary, but the majority were displaced due to armed conflict. Anbar is a considered a hotbed of insurgent activity and suffers from frequent clashes between the Multi-National Forces in Iraq and other armed groups. Those IDPs who were displaced within Anbar since February 22 primarily fled due to armed conflict within Anbar.

In addition to 63% reporting that they fled due to armed conflict, 26% fled due to generalized violence, 24% cited direct threats to their lives, 10% left out of fear, 3% cited forced displacement, and less than 1% said the were displaced due to other reasons. Some IDPs left due to a combination of these reasons.

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION When asked if they thought the group or family members were targeted, 63% said they were targeted due to belonging to a certain religion or sect, although and less than 1% thought it was due to belonging to a certain social or professional group, such as academics, physicians, law enforcement, etc. Unlike in other governorates, a high number of IDPs (39%) did not think their group or family was specifically targeted (this question had multiple answers). This supports the fact that IDPs were not displaced to or within Anbar only because they were a target of religious intolerance, but also due to military campaigns and general fighting and violence.

No one reported that they were targeted due to belonging to a certain ethnic group or holding a certain political opinion.

93% of those interviewed were displaced once since February 22, 7% (222 families) were displaced two times, and less than 1% (2 families) was displaced three times. This also reflects the instability in Anbar. The majority left their place of origin in June. The breakdown is as follows:

February: less than 1% March: 18% April: 11% May: 12% June: 58% July: less than 1%

Those IDPs who were displaced in June might have fled due to military offences that occurred in Ramadi during this month.

Overview of IDP camps :

According to a report by the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS), IRCS recently established a camp for 300 displaced families in Anbar. They established sanitation facilities for men and women and distributed non-food items. This camp was used by a few IDPs as a temporary stop before reaching another destination. According to one report, a couple of months after the installation, the tents were removed and the entire camp was closed.

It is reported that the IRCS also established a camp near Al-Ka’im near the Iraqi-Syrian borders, but unfortunately due to the security situation along the route, IDP monitors could not reach the camp. The initial information suggests that there are less than 40 families. IOM is awaiting an update when the security situation permits.

Outline of Already-Existing IDP Population (pre-February 22, 2006)

IOM identified an estimated 12,497 IDP families and 38,000 IDP returnee families before February 22. IDP families displaced in Anbar before February 22 are displaced subsequent to three main reasons: 1) the military actions carried out by the Multi-National Forces in Al Qaim, Fallujah, Haditha, and Rawa and by the insecure living conditions in Fallujah and Ramadi. On the whole around 800 families have not returned to their place of origin either because their property was completely or partially destroyed or they do not feel it is secure enough to return; 2) the religiously-motivated violence that, even before the bombing in Samarra, forced many Arab-Sunni families to move to Anbar due to religious or political discrimination. They are about 800 Sunni families displaced for this reasons, especially from Basra and Baghdad; 3) the attempt to Arabize the Northern regions of Iraq pursued by Saddam Hussein’s regime before 1993. The displaced are around 600 Kurdish families, some of whom tried to return back to the North but were rejected. After long displacement and failure of their attempt, they are trying to integrate with the host community in Anbar, although their living standards are lower than the rest of the population.

In April 2004, attacks on Fallujah and Ramadi districts by the multinational forces instigated major population movements in and out of Anbar, creating a trend of short term displacements during and following the fighting, where families returned to their homes right after the security situation stabilized.

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION A second military operation conducted by Multi-National Forces on Fallujah in November 2004 in search of insurgents believed to be housed in the city led to the displacement of over 250,000 persons (almost the whole population of the town). Most moved to the outskirts of the city and Baghdad, in 15 main locations (in Anbar mainly Amiriyah, Habaniyah, Neimiyah, Saglawiyah and Karma; in Baghdad mainly Abu Ghraib, Taji and Adamiya). Though the destruction scale in the city is reportedly large, by end of January 2005, an estimated 38,000 families returned to Fallujah. Basic services are reported inadequate inside Fallujah, and population movements in and out of the city continue to date.

The majority of the displaced in Anbar are considered displaced subsequent to the military actions carried out by the Multi-National Forces in Al Qaim, Heet, Fallujah, Haditha, and Rawa and by the insecure living conditions in Fallujah and Ramadi. In the case of both Al Qaim and Heet, most of the IDPs were displaced internally within the cities as the Multi-National Forces and Iraqi Forces conducted offensive operations in targeted areas of these cities. While many of those displaced from Al Qaim have returned, the overall majority of IDPs in Anbar are still displaced from Al Qaim, with the second largest group coming from Heet and the third largest from Ramadi.

IDP Population’s Relationship with the Host Community

In general, IDPs are moving from religiously and ethnically mixed communities to homogenous communities, so the host community often has the same background as the IDPs and good relations are maintained. Many Sunni families fleeing to Anbar have tribal/familial relationships with the host community. Less than 2% (55 families) reported that they were not received well by the host community. Almost all report healthy relations with the host community, and the host community was reported as providing more assistance than any other entity.

Generally Anbar governorate suffers because of the absence of serious rehabilitation of the infrastructure, especially that damaged in armed conflict. The ongoing military operations in the main cities such as Falluja and Ramadi are causing more damage to the main infrastructure and services in general. Accordingly, the high number of IDPs moving into and within the governorate negatively affects the balance of population in different locations in the governorate. As a result a competition on resources can be noticed. In addition, some IDPs who are coming from the south are not viewed as pure Sunni, and the host community prefers giving the priority in assistance to the IDPs originally from Anbar, at least concerning shelter.

Intentions of post-February 22 IDPs :

Due to the lack of infrastructure and services mentioned above, it is not surprising that only 7% (233 families) plan on integrating into their current location. If the security situation in Anbar continues to deteriorate, even this 7% might decide to return or move elsewhere. The remaining 66% (2,243 families) plan on returning to their place of origin and 24% (811 families) want to resettle in a third location.

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION The breakdown for IDP intentions is as follows:

IDPs' Intentions (Anbar)

70.0%

Return to their place of 60.0% origin 66.4%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0% Resettle in a third location 24.0%

20.0%

Locally integrate in the current location 6.9% 10.0% Waiting on one or several factors to make a decision 2.7%

0.0% IDPs' Intentions

3% have not made a decision and are waiting on several factors, most likely an improvement in the security situation above all.

When asked about their plan to implement their various intentions, 90% are waiting for the security situation to improve. If IDPs are hoping to return to their homes, they realize that it is too unsafe. Those IDPs who are planning on settling in a third location also do not want to do so under such dangerous conditions, as very few places in Iraq are safe and welcoming to IDPs.

13 families (less than 1%) plan are realizing their intentions within six months, and 312 families (9%) will in 6 to 12 months. Eight families figure they will need to wait longer than 12 months.

EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT AND NEEDS

Security :

Despite the persistent instability and violence in Anbar, almost all of the IDPs in Anbar report that they feel relatively safe in their current location, at least safer than their place of origin.

21% report that group or family members have been detained since they were displaced. 1% of group and family members report that someone was killed by another citizen (39 families). 35 families (1%) had members involved in a mine accident, 107 families (3%) said someone in the family or group had experienced “other deaths”, and a high percentage (18%, or 617 families) reported that members suffered “other injuries”. One family reported that someone in their family had been killed by militants.

Due to frequent military operations, 9% (292 families) need authorization to move from their current location. This is higher than in any other governorate. The majority reported that they do not have to pass through checkpoints for daily movement near their home and no one reported other restrictions on their freedom of movement due to the security situation.

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Falluja and Ramadi are considered especially volatile areas in Anbar, and IDPs in these areas experience the most dangerous living conditions, and many people have fled from these districts due to fighting between the MNF-IF and insurgents.

Shelter :

30% of IDPs in Anbar live in public buildings, a much higher percentage than in other governorates. These public buildings, often unoccupied or abandoned, lack services and can be reclaimed by the government or private entities, rendering the IDPs homeless once again.

Another 30% rent housing in Anbar. IDPs who do not have the option of moving in with families or friends and have financial resources often chose to move into a small space to rent. However, as many of the recently-displaced remain unemployed, they have no income and cannot continue to pay rent. In addition, many hope to return home and were not planning on a long-term displacement. As instability persists throughout Iraq and these families are not able to return home, they might have to find alternative (often less desirable) living arrangements.

Renting prices are increasing in Anbar; for example, in Falluja renting a small home costs over $300 a month, which is far more than most IDP families can afford. In some areas, such as Heet and Falluja, the Islamic party and tribal leaders have determined that the maximum rental cost for a home not exceed100,000 Iraqi dinar, and a flat should not exceed 50,000 Iraqi dinar in order to assist some of the IDPs who must rent.

18% live in the house of a host family or relative. Since residents in Anbar often suffer from poverty and live in crowded conditions, the IDPs and host families face added strain, not only to share crowded living quarters, but also limited food. Less than 1% lives in a tent near the house of a host family or relative.

19% live in a collective town/settlement. These settlements are marked by provisional housing either set up by the government or, in the case of Anbar, IDPs and frequently lack water, sanitation, and electricity services.

No families interviewed reside in a former military camp or a tent in an established IDP camp.

Few recently-displaced in Anbar face the threat of eviction or pressure to leave their residence. 18 families face pressure to leave from relatives, 2 families face a court-ordered eviction, 10 families face pressure to leave from militants, 41 families face “other threats” and 27 families chose not to answer. (Each of these groups of families represents around 1% of the total population.)

Property Issues in Place of Origin :

In the chaos of displacement, some IDPs had to quickly flee their place of residence, leaving behind homes, furniture, cars, and other belongings. However, some IDPs were able to take items with them, assisting a bit in the transition in their new location. Of those 60 individual families interviewed, 59 (98%) had a house in their place of origin, one family (2%) had land for agriculture, and two families (3%) had a shop or small business. No families had an apartment or room or land for housing. (This question was not present in the Group Rapid Assessment Template, and many other IDPs most likely have property in their place of origin.)

For those IDPs who have property in their place of origin, 16% know that it is accessible. However, 34% do not know the condition of their property and whether or not it has been destroyed, occupied, or is in use. 22% said their property was destroyed, and 11% said it is occupied by private citizens, meaning that someone illegally moved into their property after they fled. No one reported that their property was occupied by the government. However, a very high percentage (60%) reported that their property is currently in military use. Very likely these refer to the IDPs who have been displaced within Anbar, and their property had been confiscated or cleared for military purposes.

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION A few IDPs were able to take some items with them when they fled their homes. These assets were usually food or winter clothing, and many families have a car with them. Following are the percentages of families who brought the listed items with them when they fled their homes:

Winter clothing: 50% Car/transportation: 28% Food: 26% Tools: 13% Other items: 2% (furniture and electronics) Livestock: less than 1%

Vulnerabilities :

IDPs, an already vulnerable population, suffer from additional risks that make their condition even more precarious. This is especially true in Anbar, as the governorate has little infrastructure and resources and experiences a high level of violence. Out of over 20,000 IDP individuals, almost 10% suffer some type of acute vulnerability. For example, 190 women (1%) are female heads-of- households, 914 individuals (5%) are considered elderly, 381 women (2%) are pregnant, 3 families (less than 1%) reported a member with a mental disability, and 27 families (less than 1%) report “other vulnerabilities”.

Vulnerabilities such as single parenthood, serious health issues, and mental and physical disabilities are exacerbated in an environment of displacement. A lack of food or water has a greater impact on the already vulnerable, such as a pregnant woman or an elderly person. Mental disabilities can be exacerbated by an unfamiliar environment experienced in displacement. Illnesses are also worsened by displacement. Therefore, these individuals will face the most hardships as a result of the displacement and are at most risk for further suffering, especially in the coming winter months, if they do not have adequate assistance.

Women and Children:

Conservative cultural traditions in Anbar prevent the freedom of movement and activity such as employment for women in Anbar. Some female students are discouraged from completing their studies. Increased demands on female heads-of-households whose husbands or sons have died, a lack of employment opportunities, scarce shelter options, and security threats plague some women in Anbar.

Children are especially affected by the lack of services and volatility in Anbar. Reportedly the insurgents released an order that children should not go to school until the Multi-National Forces leave the city. This has not been confirmed but is reported by local residents. Families are having trouble transferring their children to the local schools in Ramadi because the education directorate frequently remains closed due to fighting.

The deterioration of conditions for women and children are especially noted in Fallujah and Ramadi, where the numbers of widows and orphans are increasing. In addition, since the health service is inadequate in the governorate for the entire community, vaccinations and health care for children and pregnant women are poor and inadequate. A recent WFP survey revealed a very high malnutrition rates among children under five years old in Anbar.

Education:

Generally, most of schools in the governorate are suffering the lack of staff and equipment. The deteriorating security situation also affects the children’s attendance and the regularity of working days. In some cases, especially in Ramadi, schools are occupied by the MNF and children have not started the school year yet.

Food :

IDPs in Anbar ranked numerous priority needs, and food was among the highest. More IDPs have no access to the Public Distribution System (PDS) than in almost any other governorate. 8

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION 74% (2,511 families) said that they do not receive PDS rations. 24% (817 families) report that they receive it sometimes, and only 1% (32 families) receives it regularly. (18 families did not respond.) For those families who receive it regularly, the food packages are often missing items.

In a country where a large number of people have relied heavily on food distributions for decades, the lack of access IDPs have to the PDS rations is alarming. For those who are not receiving food rations, the majority (94%) blame it on food transportation routes being insecure. 30% blame it on lack of transportation to deliver the food, 3% blame it on lack of documentation or no PDS ration card, and less than 1% blame it on a delay in transferring their PDS ration card to their new location.

Some families who have been displaced within Anbar cannot return to their place of origin to collect PDS food rations because it is simply too dangerous. Other families say that since the rations are often missing many food items, it is not worth the risk to do to the distribution locations to pick them up.

For those IDPs who can receive additional food assistance from other sources, the impact is not as great; however, in Anbar, 16% have not received any other food assistance since they were displaced. 39% of those interviewed received food assistance from religious charities, another 39% from “other sources”, 16% from humanitarian organizations, and 1% from national authorities and regional authorities.

Compared to other governorates, a high percentage (55%) received fresh food. 28% received dried food and 16% received intermediate food. However, the food provided from these entities usually lasts only a few weeks at most.

See Conclusion section below for recommendations for food assistance.

Water/Sanitation :

IDPs in Anbar consistently ranked water as a priority need. Anbar is covered mostly by desert, and lack of access to clean water is common.

The main water sources are municipal water underground pipes (accessible to 98%). However, municipal water is available mostly in cities, not in villages, and usually water is only available a few hours a day. Generally speaking the situation of the IDPs concerning access to water is very bad and mainly does not depend on municipality provision. Other sources of water are water tanks or trucks (accessible to 75%) and public wells (accessible to 74%). 3% access water through rivers, streams, or lakes. No one reported accessing water through open or broken pipes.

Although a high number has access to a source of water, IDPs in Anbar must travel further distances than in other governorates to fetch their water. Half of the IDPs interviewed have to travel more than 500 meters from their residence to obtain water. IDPs in Anbar are requesting assistance with more adequate and closer sources of water.

Only 3% does not have access to toilets, but this represents 105 families who do not have a proper sanitation facilities. This increases the spread of disease and infection among these families. Targeting these 105 families with proper facilities will greatly improve their living conditions.

Fuel and Electricity :

Iraq experiences intermittent electricity at best, and many buildings require generators to provide electricity. In Anbar, IDPs in Anbar fare better than in other governorates with regards to access to electricity. 58% have access to 1-3 hours a day, 42% have access to four or more hours per day, and less than 1% has no access to electricity. IDPs are concentrated in and around cities in Anbar, so they have more regular access than those who are located in rural areas. No one report access kerosene. Kerosene is available in Anbar, but it is very expensive, and IDPs simply do not have the funds to afford fuel. Kerosene and other fuel sources are essential for 9

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION heating and cooking, and during the winter months, an absence of kerosene will be especially detrimental.

Health Care :

Historically, Anbar has lacked adequate health care services and facilities. Hospitals do not have adequate equipment, like ambulances and surgical equipment, or necessary medications. Many have been damaged in the fighting between the Multi-National Forces in Iraq and insurgents. For example, due to armed conflict near the general hospital of Ramadi, patients were being transported to other locations, such as in Falluja, but this puts an added strain on these facilities. Some hospitals and health clinics, such as in Ramadi and Heet, are occupied by MNF and Iraqi Forces, which prevents people from going and receiving appropriate treatment.

In addition, instability and insecurity prevent medical professional from attending to patients, and some health care providers have fled the governorate. While 89% of IDPs report that there are accessible health care services nearby, 388 families interviewed do not have access to these services. 34% of IDPs (1,142 families) have no access to the medications they need.

For families who do not have access to health care, almost all of them report that health care services are too distant to travel. 7 families report a financial constraint, 4 families said that there are no facilities available, and 1 family said it was too dangerous to try to reach health care facilities. No families were refused services and no families reported a lack of female staff as a reason that they had no appropriate health care available.

42% of IDPs have been visited by health care workers in the last 30 days. Services provided were distribution of medicines (to 31% of the population), medical examinations (received by 33%), and vaccinations (5% of families were vaccinated). No one received consulting and health education.

Aside from vaccinations provided by visiting health care workers, 34% of IDPs were involved in some form of vaccination campaign. 3% were involved within the last week of being interviewed, 1% in the last month, 27% were involved 1-3 months ago, 3% were involved 4-6 months ago. Only 6 families (less than 1%) have suffered from any infections diseases/epidemics in the last 45 days.

Documentation :

If IDPs must flee their homes immediately, they sometimes do not have access documentation with them. A lack of documentation will prevent them from passing through checkpoints, accessing services, and proving their identity. Most IDPs in Anbar have some form of documentation. 95% of IDPs interviewed (3,211 families) have nationality certifications, 98% (3,311 families) have identification cards, 45% (1,530 families) have marriage documents, 12% (390 families) have passports (a higher percentage than IDPs in other governorates), 17% (587 families) have birth certificates, and 4% (121 families) hold death certifications.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE RECEIVED

Anbar’s instability and frequent military operations made accessing IDP populations difficult. Some entities are able to provide assistance; in fact, 93% of IDPs interviewed reported receiving humanitarian assistance, especially from local religious organizations and host communities.

81% of IDPs received assistance from the host community, 70% were assisted by relatives, 26% from religious groups, 16% from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, 4% from other entities and 1% reported assistance received from MoDM or other Iraqi government bodies. No NGOs were cited as providing assistance, although other reports confirm that NGOs have been providing continuous assistance to IDPs in Anbar since February, but in many cases, their identity might have been attributed to another source by the IDPs or self-concealed for security purposes.

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AREAS IN NEED OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

In Heet and Al-Baghdady, two groups of IDPs had a very high number of widows who were heads-of-households. These women cannot find employment due to the security situation, so they and their families must rely entirely on humanitarian assistance. Some of them have also lost their sons in religious conflicts. In addition to employment, these families need assistance with food, water, and non-food items.

Another group of families was interviewed in Al-Hassnia in Heet who were living in schools. They were threatened to be evicted. They do not have access to PDS rations and require food distributions, assistance transferring their PDS ration cards, and assistance with shelter. Their current status is being assessed.

CONCLUSION

Information gathered from the emergency monitoring and needs assessments can provide an excellent base on which to develop assistance responses, establish locations of intervention, identify the most vulnerable populations, and provide responses that meet the IDPs’ identified needs.

Unlike in other governorates, IDPs in Anbar did not strongly indicate top three needs. The various IDP families and groups all had different needs, depending on their locations and vulnerabilities. However, the most frequently listed needs were water, food, shelter, and non-food items.

Water and Food : Many IDPs in Anbar must travel long distances to access water and do not have access to potable water. Many IDPs reported that this basic, life-saving assistance is a priority. In addition, 74% of IDPs (2,511 families) do not have access to PDS rations and receive little food from other sources, so this was another frequently-listed need.

Water trucking, providing bottled water and the construction of better water networks can assist with the shortage of water. Chlorine tablets can also be provided for water treatment.

Food distributions to the most vulnerable can help alleviate their food deprivation. Food should target the IDPs’ needs, especially those nutritional needs of children and women, and should compliment and not duplicate what has been provided by other entities.

Many families hosting IDPs have access to arable land, so providing agriculture materials (food, tools and equipment) can increase the food production for both the IDPs and host families.

For those IDPs who cannot access PDS rations due to security and violence, the best method for food access is the stabilization of the security situation in Anbar. This is a complicated issue that, at the time, must be the responsibility of local authorities, tribal leaders, the MNF-I, and the Iraqi forces.

Shelter : Many displaced persons live in public buildings, cannot meet their monthly rental expenses, or are facing pressure and tension due to overcrowded conditions with family or friends.

One suggestion provided by IDPs was building simple, inexpensive houses for the IDPs living in public buildings. This would have to be coordinated closely with the local authorities and Iraqi Ministries and should target only those families who plan on staying long-term.

As is happening in some parts of Anbar, the local authorities should put a cap on the inflation

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION of rent prices, as this can help IDPs manage the weekly or monthly rent. Building more cost- efficient homes to rent, as mentioned above, is another option but must be coordination with all relevant stakeholders.

Many of the host families that are sharing their homes with recently-arrived IDPs suffer from the same vulnerabilities and poverty as the IDPs. Therefore, expanding their homes or providing electricity and sanitation services can help these families’ situation.

For those families who have been evicted, a short-term solution can be the provision of tents. The setting up of camps should be avoided. Permanent or semi-permanent camps could create a pull factor and can be costly to maintain, put the IDPs’ security at risk, and create dependency once services are established.

Non-food items : There were various other items that IDPs in Anbar require that fall under the category of “non-food items”. These include hygiene kits, which are in high demand in those locations that lack sanitation facilities or are not in close proximity to health facilities. In addition, fuel for heaters and heaters was requested by IDPs, due to the high cost of fuel and oncoming winter months. Other non-food items needed are mattresses, blankets, water buckets, jerry cans, cooking sets,

Intentions : As mentioned, only 7% of IDPs plan on integrating into their current location, 66% plan on returning to their place of origin and 24% want to resettle in a third location. If the instability persists and no improvement is made in infrastructure and services, the number of IDPs who plan on staying in Anbar could decrease. This needs to be taken into consideration for any long-term interventions.

Further Analysis : This report is by no means conclusive, and a more in-depth analysis can be undertaken by obtaining a deeper understanding of what IDPs know, do and think, using tools such as matrix ranking, seasonal calendars and gender analysis.

This assessment tool has been developed to aid programming and to undertake integrated measures that aim to reduce the time between assessments and response to emergencies. It should however be noted overall that some aspects of the above assessments still require more technical descriptions at a higher level, and it is hoped that the agencies that will need such further technical information will be able to take this up at their own convenience. In addition, SPHERE minimum standards in disaster response should always be incorporated whenever providing humanitarian assistance.

For Updates on IOM’s humanitarian assistance response to recent displacement, please see the IOM Recent Displacement and Assessments updates. In addition, these governorate reports can be accessed at http://www.iom-iraq.net/idp.html .

As the situation unfolds, the characteristics and dynamics of the displacement will change. With collaboration and quick responses, the negative impact of displacement can be minimized with hope for a brighter future for the displaced.

For further information on IDP displacement in Iraq, please contact Martin Ocaga, IOM Iraq IDP Program Manager at [email protected] (+962 79 64 00581) or Dana Graber, IDP Monitoring and Reintegration Officer, at [email protected] (+962 79 611 1759). 12

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