Iraq HAR072803

July 28, 2003

Note: This report has been compiled from publicly available information. Although information has been gathered from reliable sources the currency and completeness of the information reported herein is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Inquiries, updates and comments are welcome and should be directed to PDMIN team at [email protected].

1 Routes for Humanitarian Aid

Country Supply Routes Supply Routes Comments From: To: Iskenderun (port) Turkey Mersin (port) North Open for humanitarian supplies Silopi Bandar Imam Khomeni (Port) South Open for humanitarian supplies Iran Ahwaz Kermanshah Northeast Open for humanitarian supplies Shipping Iraq South, Central Accommodates shallow-draft vessels Umm Qasr (port) Open for humanitarian supplies; also Kuwait Kuwait City (port) South, Central military use Aqaba (port) Jordan Central Open for humanitarian supplies Ar Ruwayshid Latakia (port) Central Abu Kamal Tartus (port) Syria Beirut, Lebanon (port) Central Open for humanitarian supplies Al Tanf Al Yarubiyeh North Open for humanitarian supplies

2 Overview

Today’s Highlights

Humanitarian Situation: Continued concern about security, lethal attacks on coalition troops, Iraqis and aid workers; Sabotage, crime, lack of key infrastructure, and unemployment/salaries continuing problems; Water and power improving slowly; Nationwide food distribution proceeding smoothly; Oil industry improving very slowly;

Political: Great Britain names their Ambassador to the UN, Jeremy Greenstock, as the top British official in Iraq working with US Ambassador L. Paul Bremer;

UN: Oil for Food Program (OFFP) now has US$2.1 billion in supplies in pipeline including food and infrastructure—OFFP assessing situation sector-by-sector in preparation for 21 November phase-out in favor of coalition;

Refugees: UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) does not support major repatriation in 2003; 50 – 100 Iraqis are returning per day from Iran unassisted and integrating into populace; UNHCR plans small return from Saudi Arabia and to start trial assisted repatriation from Iran in August;

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): IOM estimates 254,000 IDPs of which 85,000 have been registered—included are 100,000 old-case Marsh Arabs in the south, 54,000 in the north due to Arabization and reversal, and urban poor;

Civil Society/Rule of Law: UN Humanitarian Coordinator’s office reports worst security situation since return of humanitarian agencies after the war; Baghdad’s Interim City Advisory Council and 88 Interim Advisory Neighborhood Councils meet with coalition today (July 28) to discuss infrastructure and improvements;

Civil–Military Interaction: Deadly exchanges between coalition and Iraqis continue with coalition raids and attacks against humanitarian workers, Iraqis working with coalition, and coalition members—climate of distrust and hostility continues;

Humanitarian Access to Iraq: World Food Program (WFP) routes in order of decreasing tonnage are: Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Umm Qasr, Kuwait, and Iran—humanitarian organizations increasingly favoring Umm Qasr over Kuwait; Syrian transport companies concerned about crime on route to Baghdad—UN prohibiting operations on major routes north, west, and south from Baghdad;

Economy: Domestic production of gasoline, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) falling further; Black market prices increase as smuggling out of Iraq adds to problem; It is estimated that domestic demand won’t be met until 2004—shortages will affect humanitarian efforts;

Water/power: Power in Baghdad is being generated at about 50% of pre-war level while water is at about 70%; Sewage and access to clean water are still problems for many residents—old, un-maintained infrastructure, looting, sabotage, and general security situation are major challenges;

Food: July distributions are proceeding smoothly, but shortages in milk, infant formula, and tea have been reported; World Food Program (WFP) is reactivating the system of providing food to hospitals and other social institutions;

3 Health and Medical: No major disease outbreaks, but high summer temperatures increase potential for water-borne diseases; Central distribution of supplies being reconstituted—3,000 metric tons (MT) of pharmaceuticals brought in during last 60 days.

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font. In Country Humanitarian Assistance Preparations

North Region

Erbil, Dahuk, Salaymaniyah Coordinator UN Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UOHCI) is aware of 36 NGOs in northern Iraq Affected Population IDP Movement According to UNHCR, there are approximately 42,000 IDPs living in Dahuk Governorate, 5,000 of which are living under the care of UN agencies; Approximately 175 Kurdish families are living just east of Mosul, and another 700 families are living in Zamar Food Food distribution is at pre-conflict levels; Trial plantings of winter cereals, summer vegetables, and industrial oil-seed crops has started in all three northern governorates Health In Dahuk, all hospitals are functioning normally; Two volunteer physicians with the US-based Northwest Medical Teams are teaching skills to doctors in hospitals in Erbil NFIs –Shelter Water & All water projects in urban and semi-urban areas in Erbil are functioning properly Sanitation Security Stable, but reports of radical elements regrouping, particularly in Sulaymaniyah Other/Comments Power in Dahuk has been restored; Electric power is available for 20-22 hours per day in Erbil; Telephone services were restored between Dahuk and Mosul

Kirkuk (Attamin), Mosul (Ninewa), Tikrit (Salahaddin) Coordinator Affected Population IDP Movement Three task forces have been established in Mosul to discuss issues related to the return of IDPs from the three northern governorates: Return and Resettlement, Land and Property Issues, and Mass Information Campaign on Land and Property Restitution Food The Ministry of Trade office in Kirkuk reported that July ration distribution to food agents is underway and that warehouses are mostly full, except for some shortages in milk, infant formula, and tea; The Kirkuk Ministry of Trade Ration Registration Center is issuing temporary ration cards for IDPs in Kirkuk Health NFIs –Shelter 40,000 items of clothing donated by a Korean firm will be distributed by World Vision in Mosul and Al Rutba Note: This report has been compiled from publicly available information. Although information has been gathered from reliable sources the currency and completeness of the information reported herein is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Inquiries, updates and comments are welcome and should be directed to PDMIN team at [email protected].

4 Water & A UN Security Assessment Mission to Mosul reported that the water and health Sanitation systems are in relatively good condition with facilities unaffected by looting, but the sanitation system remains a concern; 70% of Tikrit is connected to the sewage system and water is also available; In Kirkuk, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is supporting a solid waste collection project to benefit 480,000 people and a sewage line clearance project to benefit about 300,000 people Security Increased attacks mainly against coalition forces in Kirkuk; Security situation in Mosul reported as tense, and increased restrictions for UN staff movement are in place; The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has begun two new operations bases in Kirkuk and Mosul; 74 Iraqi policemen have completed their training at the Police Academy in Mosul Other/Comments The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will open an employment office in Kirkuk to serve as a clearinghouse for employers and job seekers

Central/West Regions

Anbar, Salahaddin, Diyala, Karbala, Babil, Wasit, Najaf, Qadissiya Coordinator Affected Population IDP Movement According to the Danish Refugee Council, registration of IDPs in Diyala governorate is ongoing and has so far registered over 53,000 IDPs, most of whom are living in former Iraqi military camps, jails, and other unused facilities; International Medical Corps, Mercy Corps, and CARE are working on projects that serve the IDP population in Diyala Food Food distribution to IDPs in Diyala has been delayed until the list of beneficiaries can be reviewed; Food distributions in the region have continued and are reported to be completed with the exception of wheat flour in Najaf, Karbala and Qadissiya Health International Rescue Committee (IRC) will distribute 100 safe delivery kits to traditional birth attendants and midwives in Karbala Governorate NFIs –Shelter World Vision is delivering more than 3,600 relief packages to residents of Ar Rutbah containing clothing, blankets, plastic sheeting, and water containers Water & Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has resumed work on the New Hella water-works Sanitation project in Babil to supply water to over 500,000 residents; (IRC) has equipped four health clinics in Karbala Governorate and plans to equip four additional clinics Security There has been a trend of attacks against the coalition from the Fallujah to Ramadi area; The rate of attacks on Highway 1 from Baghdad to Mosul remains particularly high; Anbar, Diyala, and Salahaddin are still inaccessible to UN staff due to poor security; Other/Comments

5 Baghdad

Baghdad Coordinator UNOCHI is aware of 40 NGOs operating in Baghdad; Due to heightened security in Baghdad, particularly in light of the anniversary of the former Baath party taking power, agencies which are not compliant with the UN’s Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) have been asked to leave Affected Population: 5.8 million Population IDP Movement An IDP working group has been established to coordinate a response to a reported total of 3,000 families in Baghdad who have been displaced; International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that about 2,000 IDPs of Roma origin have occupied the Abu-Ghraib and Al-Rashid military camps Food The Ministry of Trade reports that 60% of food agents under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to date have picked up food rations for distribution to more than 3 million people in Baghdad Health International Medical Corps (IMC) received 12 supplementary WHO medical kits, each of which provides medicines for 10,000 people for 30 days; 39 hospitals in Baghdad governorate started receiving food commodities under an activity coordinated by World Food Program, Ministry of Trade, and French NGO Premier Urgence NFIs –Shelter Water & UN Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq reported that there is adequate Sanitation water available for Baghdad residents; UNDP is assisting with the clean-up of 5 sewer systems in Baghdad serving 2.5 million residents and providing diesel fuel to sewage pumping stations; UNICEF is also helping with repairs and rehabilitation of sewage pumping stations Security Security in Baghdad has been heightened in response to an increase in attacks on coalition forces in and around the Baghdad area; As of July 20, UNSECOORD has classified all routes between Al-Hillah and Baghdad as “no go” zones due to serious security concerns; No security clearance will be issued for humanitarian missions between the two locations until further notice; Official travel between Baghdad and Al-Hillah must be conducted through Al-Kut (Highway 6 and 7) in both directions; On Saturday (July 26), three US soldiers were killed and four wounded in a grenade attack while guarding a children’s hospital in Boquba, 30 miles north of Baghdad; Also on Saturday, one US soldier was killed and two others wounded near the Abu Ghuraib area of Baghdad when their convoy came under small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack; On Monday (July 28), two US soldiers were injured when a grenade was thrown at their convoy on a main road in Baghdad; The construction of shelters aimed at protecting the area near the Canal Hotel is nearly complete Other/Comments The UN is sending an electoral team to Baghdad in early August to assist the new Iraqi Governing Council to organize elections; The Baghdad International Airport is still closed to commercial traffic

6 South Region

Basrah

Umm Qasr, Basrah Coordinator Affected Population of Basrah: 1.5 million Population IDP Movement Assessments indicated that 612 IDPs are in Basrah Food Health The health professionals strike in Basrah against insecurity and revenge killings has ended NFIs –Shelter Water & Recent water samples show low levels of residual chlorine and high bacterial Sanitation contamination as a result of leakage, low power supply, and damage of equipment; UNICEF is continuing water deliveries to Umm Qasar town by tanker trucks; 25% of water leaks in Basrah have been repaired, but new breaks are occurring daily Security UNSECOORD reports an increase in criminal activity in the Basrah region, with criminal gangs becoming better organized; There has been a trend in kidnapping for ransom; WFP warehouses in Basrah have been subject to looting; More than 2,000 policemen have been retrained and are now back on duty; UN staff movement has been restricted due to recent shootings Other/Comments The Umm Qasr port was officially opened for commercial freight on June 16, with priority given to vessels carrying humanitarian, reconstruction, and military cargo; The coalition is operating railway service from Umm Qasr to Baghdad and from Baghdad to other cities including Mosul, Al Taji and Bayji; Electricity in Basrah is available for 14-15 hours per day but fuel shortages continue to hamper humanitarian organizations’ operations

Al Muthanna, Nassiriyah (Dhi Qar), Amarah, Maysan Coordinator UNOHCI is aware of 22 NGOs operating in southern Iraq Affected Population IDP Movement Food Health The Al Amarah General Hospital in Maysan recorded a 1,400 percent increase in dysentery cases and a 3,000 percent increase in diarrhea cases among infants over the past two months NFIs –Shelter Water & Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has resumed work on the Al Shatra and Al Islah Sanitation water-works projects in Dhi Qar to supply water to over 100,000 residents; The Czech-based People in Need Foundation (PINF) has completed work on rehabilitating three major water units in the marshlands of Missan governorate Security Drug and arms trafficking has increased, especially in Amarah Other/Comments

7 Neighboring Countries’ Humanitarian Activities/Preparations

Jordan

The Government of Jordan has stated that borders with Iraq are open for the flow of goods. The Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center (HACC-West) has advised that it needs 24-hour advance notice of vehicle movement into Iraq from Jordan. Travel on this route in the short-term may be dangerous due to the threat of hijacking while on the road.

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has constructed latrines and is responsible for sanitation and solid waste management in the Ruweishid refugee camp A. There are approximately 1,100 refugees currently residing in the camp.

According to UNHCR, 1,240 people, mostly Iranian Kurds from the Al Tash refugee camp, are currently residing in no-man’s land at the Iraqi border with Jordan. Jordan has refused entry to the refugees. A refugee camp has been set up for them, using some structures that were relocated there from the Ruweishid camp.

Following talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers said that Jordan will not pressure the approximately 200,000 Iraqi refugees living in Jordan to return to Iraq. In addition, a limited number of Iraqis would be allowed to stay long-term, particularly those married to Jordanians. Lubbers is also expected to discuss the status of the 1,240 people stranded in no-man’s land at the Jordanian border.

The coalition is withdrawing from the Jordanian/Iraqi border, leaving behind a staff of 10 personnel.

Iran

The Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (BAFIA) has stated that requests of convoys crossing the Iranian border could be processed within 24 hours, once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides clearance.

UNHCR is planning to help move a few hundred Iraqi refugees from Iran to Basrah in the coming weeks, but only if the refugees had identified a place to stay and a form of backup support in Iraq. UNHCR said that due to the lack of basic services and security, Iraq was not yet ready for large-scale returns.

According to UNHCR staff in Basrah, about 50-100 Iraqi refugees are returning each day from Iran over the Shalamsha border crossing. There are currently about 200,000 Iraqi refugees living in Iran either in host communities or in 22 camps near the border.

8 Turkey

The border with Turkey remains open to diplomatic and press missions only. Discussions are underway with the government of Turkey to open the border to enable returnees to go home.

As there have been no reports of refugees crossing into Turkey and requesting asylum as a result of the recent war, UNHCR has said it is scaling down its operations along the border between Turkey and Iraq in order to focus on relief efforts already underway in Iraq. Turkey has said it would continue assistance to Iraqi refugees who fled Iraq prior to the recent war and who now wish to return to Iraq. UNHCR said it could facilitate such repatriations, but could not guarantee the returnees’ safety upon return and thus would not encourage them to do so at this time. IOM is also scaling down their operations in Silopi, but said it would be ready to assist in the repatriation of Iraqis.

The World Food Program (WFP) has signed an agreement with Turkey to reopen its office in Ankara to organize and coordinate aid for Iraq.

Kuwait

The Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) in Kuwait requests a maximum of 96 hours to issue a clearance to agencies to carry out cross-border operations. Humanitarian flights are now exempt of all landing and parking fees. The Government of Kuwait has issued a statement that it must be notified 24 hours in advance to issue approved legal passes.

The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has agreed that Iraqi refugees staying at the Rafha Camp since the first Gulf war will be the next group to be repatriated to Iraq with assistance from UNHCR. There are currently about 5,000 refugees, mostly men, living in the camp.

The HOC, originally scheduled to close on June 30, will now continue to operate until September 30, 2003.

WFP recently had to suspend direct transport of goods from Kuwait due to insecurity and looting, bringing in goods through Umm Qasr instead.

Syria

The Government of Syria has granted UN agencies and IOM a number of exemptions for fees, taxes and levees related to the import/export of humanitarian transit cargo to Iraq. New border crossing procedures are improving cross border movements. UNICEF is encouraging the use of Syria as a corridor for entry of humanitarian aid into Iraq.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARC) is continuing operations at the Al Tanf and Al Bukamal transit camps on the border with Iraq. The Al Tanf camp is now empty while the Al Bukamal camp population continues to decline. SARC has asked the Syrian government to consider closing the camps and is awaiting a response.

9 Saudi Arabia

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GoKSA) has issued a blanket authorization for overflight and landing for an unspecified period of time. These clearances apply to flights between Kuwait and Amman.

UNHCR announced that on Saturday (July 29), UNHCR would carry out the first repatriation of 450 Iraqi refugees living in the Rafha refugee camp in Saudi Arabia. About 5,000 Iraqi refugees, many of whom are army deserters from the 1991 Gulf War, remain in the camp. The group will be initially transported to Basra. Additional groups will be repatriated every week depending on the security situation.