Iraq HAR081403

August 14, 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 exchanges between coalition troops and Iraqis, sabotage, crime, and lack of key infrastructure; High temperatures exacerbating problems; Water and power improving slowly; Nationwide food distribution proceeding smoothly;

Political: Earlier this week, Turkish officials began examining their options in response to a coalition request to send significant numbers of troops as peacekeepers in the upper south; Human Rights Watch advocates capturing Saddam Hussein alive and putting him on trial;

UN: US-circulated draft resolution calls for setting up a UN assistance mission for Iraq and endorsing the establishment of the Interim Governing Council; The Secretary General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, working hard to get Arab acceptance of Interim Governing Council;

Refugees: UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) urges countries with Iraqi refugees to not force their return home; Situation for Iranian Kurds and Palestinians in Iraq improving after initial post-war downturn;

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): UNHCR providing resettlement support in the North; Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) approves guidelines to address IDP issues in Baghdad and improve living and security conditions for them;

Civil Society/Rule of Law: Interim Governing Council desires to take responsibility for police and militias in Baghdad and other cities; Temperatures around 35 to 40° C (95-104° F) complicate already difficult water and power situations;

Civil–Military Interaction: Coalition being criticized for deaths of Iraqis in several questionable situations; Confrontation between coalition and Shiite Iraqi crowd in Baghdad over religious banner results in deaths;

Humanitarian Access to Iraq: World Food Program (WFP) routes in order of decreasing tonnage are: Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Umm Qasr, Kuwait, and Iran—WFP expects to rely increasingly on Jordan and Umm Qasr; Major routes out of Baghdad to north, west, and south are out of bounds for UN; Iraqi Governing Council grants permission to six international airlines to resume flights to Basrah Airport by end of August;

Economy/Oil: With sabotage, lack of power, and theft of power line copper, oil exports drop to about 250,000 barrels per day—high was in excess of 500,000, and over 1 million needed to meet economic goals;

Water/power: In Baghdad pumping stations are working, but none of the main sewage treatment plants are operational;

Food: Food distribution through Public Distribution System (PDS) continuing with more than 52,000 metric tons (MT) brought in through August 6 for a total of 1.72 million MT; Preparations in the North to turn over food distribution from WFP to local authorities by November;

3 Health and Medical: No major disease outbreaks—US Agency for International Development (USAID)/UNICEF reports cholera season is over with fewer likely cases this year than last; Health system hampered by security situation and lack of equipment and training.

4 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; UNHCR has provided tents, blankets, and other household items to several hundred Iraqi Kurds who have returned to Dahuk; Approximately 175 Kurdish families are living just east of Mosul, and another 700 families are living in Zamar; UNHCR is rehabilitating villages and providing shelter materials in Erbil governorate to IDPs who have been returning Food Food distribution is at pre-conflict levels Health NFIs –Shelter UNHCR has begun a shelter program which will construct 70 houses for approximately 500 IDPs in two villages outside Erbil Water & All water projects in urban and semi-urban areas in Erbil are functioning properly Sanitation Security General situation remains calm with no major incidents reported recently Other/Comments Power in Dahuk has been restored; Electric power is available for 20-22 hours per day in Erbil; Telephone services have been 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; World Vision has identified 3,100 IDP families in Ninewa governorate Food Health World Vision is distributing 1,700 family hygiene kits to IDPs in Ninewa governorate this week NFIs –Shelter 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 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].

5 place 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; UNDP’s Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program (IREP) is providing employment to 1,000 people in Mosul; The Mosul airport is still closed to UN flights, which are using Erbil as the landing point in the North

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 more than 17,000 IDPs in Diyala is nearing completion; August food distributions are ongoing in Babylon, Wasit, Qadissiya, Najaf, and Karbala while distribution in Hilla (Babil) has been delayed until next week in order to give the Swiss Federation of Demining time to defuse unexploded ordnance in the Ministry of Trade cold storage warehouse Health International Rescue Committee (IRC) has re-equipped four health centers in Karbala NFIs –Shelter Water & Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has resumed work on the New Hilla 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; Due to security incidents in Hilla, WFP has relocated 11 international staff from Hilla to Baghdad and will maintain only essential staff in Hilla Other/Comments USA-based CHF international is implementing 25 community projects in Babil, Karbala, and An Najaf, including renovations of sewage treatment and medical facilities, neighborhood cleanup, road repair and school renovations

Baghdad

Baghdad Coordinator UNOCHI is aware of 40 NGOs operating in Baghdad; Due to heightened security in Baghdad; The NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI), located in the Al Wahda district in Baghdad, now has more than 50 members and about 20 observers Affected Population: 5.8 million Population IDP Movement International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that about 2,000 IDPs of Roma origin have occupied the Abu-Ghraib and Al-Rashid military camps; France-based NGO Premier Urgence has reported a new case load of 7,000 IDPs in Baghdad¾a one-month food distribution to them will take place in August; The Coalition

6 Provisional Authority (CPA) has approved guidelines to address IDP issues in Baghdad, including equity of treatment of all IDP groups, provision of shelter and alleviation of urgent needs, relocation in consultation with groups rather than by force, and the obligation of the CPA to maintain security; The Civil-Military Operation Center (CMOC) is continuing work to rehabilitate a relocation site in the al Kanat area, where 48 families will be relocated this month Food Health NFIs –Shelter Water & UNICEF is rehabilitating over 80 sewage-pumping stations in Baghdad serving 3 Sanitation million residents 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 31, UNSECOORD has classified all routes from Baghdad to Qasim, Hillah, and Jordan via Falluja and Ramadi as out-of bounds/“no go” zones due to serious security concerns Other/Comments UNDP’s Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program (IREP) is providing employment to more than 3,800 workers in Baghdad through clean-up activities; The Baghdad International Airport is still closed to commercial traffic;

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 UNHCR submitted a request to WFP for food assistance for the 244 Iraqi returnees from Saudi Arabia until they are registered into the Public Distribution System Health NFIs –Shelter UNHCR is stockpiling relief supplies in Basrah to have on hand for up to 5,000 people who may be returning from refugee camps in neighboring countries or IDPs within Iraq who may require assistance Water & Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is working with UNICEF in Basrah and Maysan to Sanitation provide clean drinking water through water tanks, repair and install emergency water equipment and networks, and repair Water Directorate vehicles Security All UN operations in Basrah have been suspended until further notice; International staff curfew is in place from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am; One British soldier was killed and two others wounded when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Basrah on Thursday (August 14) 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; Immigration and customs services are now available at Basrah airport; Iraq’s Governing Council has granted permission to six international airlines to resume flights to Basrah Airport at the end of August

7 Al Muthanna, Nassiriyah (Dhi Qar), Amarah, Maysan Coordinator UNOHCI is aware of 22 NGOs operating in southern Iraq Affected Population IDP Movement Food Health Immunization rates in Al Muthanna, Al Basrah, Dhi Qar, and Maysan have dropped to a low of 60% from last year’s 85%, resulting in an increase of immunization- preventable outbreaks, including 491 cases of whooping cough and 2 cases of polio 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

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.

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.

8 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 has given the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) a list of 106 Iraqi refugees currently in the Ashrafi camp who desire to return to Iraq. Ashrafi camp is Iran’s largest and hosts more than 11,000 Iraqis at present. UNHCR said that due to the lack of basic services and security, Iraq was not yet ready for large-scale returns.

There are currently about 200,000 Iraqi refugees living in Iran either in host communities or in 22 camps near the border.

Turkey

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.

Regular train service from Turkey to Iraq will start once an agreement between the Turkish government and Iraqi authorities on cross border service is signed. The first train from Turkey arrived in Iraq on August 3.

9 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.

UN staff wishing to travel to Iraq through Kuwait need security clearance and must complete a Kuwaiti immigration form. The immigration form, in addition to a copy of a mission plan, must be given to the transportation office by 1600 hours one day prior to the mission.

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

Only a skeleton staff from WFP will remain at its office in Kuwait. UNDP and WFP Basrah will provide support to the office.

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.

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.

More than 3,600 Iraqi refugees are expected to leave the Rafha camp in Saudi Arabia by the end of the year. About 5,200 Iraqi refugees, many of whom are army deserters from the 1991 Gulf War, remain in the camp. Small groups will be repatriated to Iraq with assistance from UNHCR approximately every ten days depending on the security situation.