OFFICE OF THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT NUMBER 26 March 2003 Coordinator’s Comments Our 3,400 national colleagues are still operating their humanitarian activities with dedication and under difficult circumstances. Our hearts and thoughts are with them.

1 HIGHLIGHTS No major refugee influx has yet been reported in any of the neighbouring countries. UN agencies working closely with the government counterparts are in a state of readiness should such an influx occur. Reception centres and refugee camps are either already established or in the final stages of preparation.

There are reports of displaced people gathered near the borders with (approximately 22,000) and Syria (numbers unknown). In northern Iraq, Assessments of both areas will be undertaken by both NGOs and the UN.

Sharp price increases for food, vegetables and fuel have been reported throughout the three northern governorates. The scarcity of fuel (price increase of 300% in one week) is impacting the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The DART team security component is conducting a security assessment of Umm Qasr today. The DART team may conduct a humanitarian assessment of Um Qasr tomorrow.

2 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN IRAQ 2.1 ASSISTANCE NSTR

2.2 AFFECTED POPULATIONS Third Country Nationals (as of 25 March) Location In transit Departed Actual camp population Jordan Ruwasheid 1048 859 189 Syria El Hol 0 0 0 Damascus 7 0 7 Keshma 0 0 0 DTC 28 28 0 Kuwait Kuwait City 0 0 0 Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 2.3 OPERATIONAL ISSUES 2.3.1 NORTH (, Dahuk, ) The trucking of items across the Turkish border is currently a constraint due to reluctance by Turkish contractors to send vehicles into northern Iraq. The checkpoints with the GoI controlled areas are still closed. Tensions are reported to be growing in the three northern governorates due to conflict with the Ansar Al-Islam.

Sulaymaniyah. The return of people to Sulaymaniyah has reportedly slowed possibly as a result of the bombardment of Ansar Al Islam HQ in the area and fears of possible counter attacks. There are unconfirmed reports of new displacement from areas controlled by Ansar Al-Islam to and Saraw.

The local press reports that school holidays have been extended until Thursday 27 March in Sulaymaniyah, thereby enabling the IDPs currently sheltering in schools to remain where they are until they either return home or to tented camps.

Health interventions include, two rapid health assessment teams sent to Byzan (30 km northwest of Suleymaniyah) after a new wave of IDPs from was reported, 1,000 sachets of ORS delivered to an IDP camp after a reported increase in diarrhoea and the immunisation of 23,000 children from 42 schools in a small scale MMR immunization campaign in the district. WHO reports it has teams visiting on a daily basis the six IDP camps located in Bazyan, , Chawarback and Penjwin.

Erbil. Many of those who had been displaced on the sides of the road have reportedly returned home or sought shelter in public buildings.

Movement restrictions have been declared in areas around Qushtapa, Pirdawd and Aski Kalak due to security reasons.

Heavy rain delayed work on Ashkawtawan tent in Mergasoor district.

WHO teams participated in health assessments to two camps under preparation in Soran district. No outbreak of any disease has been reported so far.

Food distributions under SCR986 general food distribution continued, concentrating on areas where residents host displaced relatives. In Erbil city, around 60 metric tons of various food commodities were also distributed to the beneficiaries of the SCR986 nutrition programme.

Dahuk. The city is reported calm but the majority of families (around 188,000 persons) have moved to surrounding towns and villages. A limited number of families are reported to have returned. Local Authorities (LAs) are said to be reluctant to distribute relief items to these IDPs in order to encourage them to return to their homes. LAs prefer instead to keep stocks available for use by IDPs coming from the GoI controlled areas. UN agencies are engaged in discussions with the LAs to ensure those in most need are assisted. The LA is currently conducting an assessment of those IDPs who wish to return to their homes.

2 The LA in Dahuk have established 4 health and nutrition rapid assessment teams for IDPs. According to UNICEF all hospitals and public health centres in Dahuk city are well staffed and supplies of medicine and drugs are sufficient.

Food distribution for June/July cycles continued to one of the heavily populated sectors. In some areas, however, distribution is yet to be carried out due to the absence of food agents. WFP is liaising with the LAs in order to resume distribution as soon as possible. The number of open shops has increased over the past few days.

The 29 Mw plant in Dahuk is not functioning.

There was an explosion in a vegetable market on 24 March but no reports of major damages or casualties. The perpetrators are unknown.

2.3.2 CENTRAL (Ninewa, Tameem, Salah al-Din) NSTR

2.3.3 BAGHDAD (Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala) ICRC hospital evaluations have slowed down due to heavy bombardment. In anticipation of possible interruptions in the water supply, ICRC continues to prepare hospitals and health centres. 5,000 one-litre bags of drinking water were delivered to a CARE-supported hospital, 2,400 bags were positioned and bladder-tans installed in eight primary health care centres and two autoclaves and water storage tanks installed in Al-Karama hospital. A further 220 cubic metres of supplementary drinking water was delivered to 19 water distribution stations in poorly served districts of the northern Rusafa bank area and to five health centres used as emergency centres at Kharh. At Al Kindi hospital work is ongoing to connect a new generator for an operating theatre.

The Iraqi Red Crescent Society has set up 14 first aid posts throughout the city. These are manned 24 hours by two volunteers with first aid equipment.

Two emergency WES teams have repaired 60-70% of the 73 back-up generators requiring repair. UNICEF reports that it has one WES team in each of the five zones, within which is a mobile workshop team on 24 hour alert. More water bladders are required.

In Baghdad, WHO is in contact with the International Health Department and the Communicable Disease Control Department, however communications with Baghdad are increasingly difficult.

2.3.4 UPPER SOUTH (, Qadissiya, Wassit, Babil, Kerbala) NSTR 2.3.5 LOWER SOUTH (Basrah, Missan, Muthanna, Thi-Qar) Coalition forces report that the Umm Qasr area is now safe. DART teams are planning to do an assessment, possibly as early as Thursday 27 March. The UN, however, will conduct independent assessments in accordance with the security evaluation. Any return to Iraq has to be approved by the UNSG.

3 According to the HOC, there are virtually no displaced civilians in the area of Umm Qasr. The coalition forces’ Civil Affairs (CA) teams continue to conduct assessment today in the Umm Qasr area.

Most of Basrah has been without water since Friday 21 March due to a power cut. A temporary solution by ICRC and local technicians restored water to 30-40% of the city but while it is potable, the quality is poor. Back up generators will offer a temporary solution. According to the HOC, the coalition forces have started to repair the water treatment plant near and the pipeline which provides water to Umm Qasr (2.4 million liters per day) will be operational by 30 March.

The crossing of civilian personnel via the Kuwait/Iraq border requires approval by the coalition forces. No areas in southern Iraq have been cleared and coalition forces view urban areas as particularly unsafe. No access roads have thus far been cleared. Coalition forces are conducting mine-sweeping of waters and port areas in Umm Qasr.

2.4 CONSTRAINTS 2.4.1 - 2.4.2 NSTR

2.4.2 FUNDING The Government of Norway has granted 160 million Norwegian kroner (US $21,622,790) to be allocated amongst the United Nations, ICRC, and NGOs.

Finland has allocated 1.6 million euros for humanitarian aid in Iraq, of which one million euros is for the Finnish Red Cross and the ICRC, 300 000 euros through Finnchurchaid and 300,000 for the United Nations.

2.5 CIVIL MILITARY COORDINATION The RFA ship, ‘Sir Galahad’ has been loaded with 232 tons of food, water, wheat, vegetable oil, blankets and medical supplies, provided for by the GoK through the Kuwaiti Red Crescent. The ship will head for Umm Qasr as soon as waters and port areas are cleared of mines.

3 SECURITY UPDATE NSTR

4 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

4.1 IRAN 4.1.1 OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION No Iraqis have yet crossed the border to Iran. The border to Iraq is officially closed, but the Iranian government has said that actual application of the policy will be as flexible as needed to meet the needs of the humanitarian situation.

BAFIA has given assurance regarding access of UN humanitarian personnel into border sites. However, UNHCR agency staff reported some difficulties in this regard over the past week.

4 Approximately 22,000 Iraqi Kurds are reported to be moving close to the Iranian border. They have so far not made any attempts to cross. Possible entry points would be Nowsud and up north towards Mariva and Baneh. UNHCR are sending staff members to the area. (See 2.3.1 above)

UNHCR has released 1 million dollars to BAFIA for expenses for preparatory work, including clearing of land mines, construction of access roads and the building of water and sanitation facilities in four camp sites along the border inside south-western Iran.

IOM, supported by UNHCR are facilitating the entry of 160 Sudanese nationals to Iran.

The press reports that GoI has set up two field hospitals on its border with to treat war casualties, with the exception of militants of the Islamist group Ansar al-Islam.

4.1.2 CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS NSTR

4.1.3 SECURITY On 20 March, UNSECOORD declared security phase III for Iran’s five Western provinces (Khouzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Kordestan and West Azerbaijan). Security phase II has now come into effect for the rest of the country.

Mine fields in Khousestan province are considered the main security threat for refugees and UN staff. UNDP has conducted mine assessments in 2 of the 3 identified campsite areas. A full report will be finalized imminently.

There have been reports of three missile strikes in south-western Iran close to the Iraqi border.

4.1.4 – 4.1.5 NSTR

4.2 JORDAN 4.2.1 OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION Access to the closed military area in the east of Jordan is restricted and NGOs wishing to send assistance into Iraq have been delayed. Discussion with the Ministry of Interior is ongoing to solve this problem, provided the border will remain open. Re- routing trucks through Syria is a likely option. (See 4.5.1)

To date no refugees have arrived. UNHCR, and their partners, have established a camp with a capacity for 5,000. Plans for education and psycho-social activities are finalized as well as immunisation strategies.

Extreme weather conditions are hampering work on camp preparations. Sand storms are reducing visibility and strong winds have blown down tents.

Some 536 TCNs have entered Jordan and 363 were moved out of the country by IOM. The capacity of the camp for TCNs will also be 5,000.

5 The Jordanian media reported that 5285 Iraqis have returned to Iraq since 16 March.

A Humanitarian Assistance Office (similar in concept to the HOC but on a smaller scale) is being set-up in Amman. A preliminary meeting has been held to determine what information could be forthcoming that would be of use to the humanitarian community. The HAC will have a direct link into CENTCOM in Doha.

4.2.2 CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS NSTR 4.2.3 SECURITY There have been a number of anti-war demonstrations in Amman, but they have been well policed by the authorities. There is continuing unrest in Ma’an. It has been reported that 4 Jordanian students were killed last weekend by coalition forces when driving in a taxi in Northern Iraq.

4.2.4 ISSUES REQUIRING FOLLOW UP NSTR 4.2.5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS NSTR

4.3 KUWAIT 4.3.1 OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION WFP is in the process of airlifting 160 MT HEB from the UNHRD, Italy to Kuwait for use in refugee and IDP feeding. 80 MT arrived as of 24 March.

4.3.2 CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS Seven Kuwaiti Charity Commission and Kuwait Red Crescent trucks loaded with 45,000 meals and water will arrive in Umm Qasr today at 13:00 hrs.

4.3.3 SECURITY Kuwait continues to be security Phase IV. However, FSCO notes that as a consequence of increased anti-US rhetoric within the Arab League, the security threat to Kuwait could increase.

4.3.4 – 4.3.5 NSTR

4.4 SAUDI ARABIA 4.4.1 OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION The Foreign Minister announced yesterday that relief material, medicines, tents and food enough for 25,000 refugees are stocked at the border. He confirmed that more relief aid would be sent to the border area if required. The Foreign Minister also said that the Saudi government would provide monetary aid to Jordan which is apparently suffering from its dependence on Iraqi oil supplies.

IOM is still monitoring the situation of TCNs attempting to go back home via the KSA. Until now 2800 TCNs from Egypt and 6 from Pakistan crossed the border between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

6 4.4.2 - 4.4.5 NSTR

4.5 SYRIA 4.5.1 OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION The announcement of the open border policy on 21 March had an immediate positive effect on humanitarian operations. All immediate outstanding issues related to emergency preparedness were addressed, preparations for two new camps sites and a reception centre started and access was provided to the border areas and crossings. UNHAS flights received clearance for a two month period in principle. Formal approval is expected today.

Near the Abou Kamal border crossing local officials informed a UNICEF assessment team that there were IDPs on the Iraqi side. Figures are as yet unconfirmed. UNHCR has staff monitoring the crossings but so far only 11 refugees are registered. El Hol camp is ready to accommodate 5,000 people and preparations are in place to accommodate up to 20,000 as the need arises. Preparations are also underway on the reception centre at Yarubia border crossing (100 km from El Hol camp). It should be ready in three days (around 28 March). The other two camp sites are close to the border in Al Heri (7km from Abou Kamal crossing). The three camps would have a total capacity of 100,000 refugees. Each camp will have a separate area for accommodating TCNs before they are repatriated.

With the support of UNDP, an operations room has been set up in the Ministry of Local Affairs to manage emergencies.

4.5.2 CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS Due to restrictions at the Jordanian border with Iraq, a number of NGOs are looking at transporting goods through Syria. This option is seen as favourable due to the four border crossings that cover centre/south and the northern governorates. The GoS gave permission to MSF to transport goods via Syria to northern Iraq (see 4.2.2).

UNJLC is preparing a letter from the UNRC to facilitate cross-border operations for UN and NGO implementing partners. Two officials in the Ministry of Local and Foreign Affairs are assigned to facilitate all clearances and requests for UN emergency response.

4.5.3 SECURITY Large demonstrations, throughout Syria, followed the bombing of a bus carrying Syrians back from Iraq.

4.5.4 - 4.5.5 NSTR

4.6 TURKEY 4.6.1 OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION In the first daily coordination meeting between the MFA representative in Diyarbakir, Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) and UN agencies, the representative from MFA stated that no instructions have yet been received to begin establishing camps, contrary to information provided earlier.

7 The TRCS has received relief supplies from Hungary and the Czech Republic, including medical kits and NBC protection supplies. These items appear to have been received in response to a Turkish request made to the Euro Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre in NATO and Partner Countries.

UNFPA has conducted training on the use of Reproductive Health kits for 16 district level health managers responsible to organise health services in response to a displacement of Iraqi population.

4.6.2 CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS NSTR

4.6.3 SECURITY UN staff have been unable to travel on the road from Diyarbakir to Silopi as it was closed during the visit of a high level delegation from the Turkish General Staff. The road should be accessible on 27 March.

A UNHCR field team en route from Silopi to Hakkari province was stranded between two avalanches on a road between Batman and Bitlis, close to Van. The team was eventually rescued by the Gendarmerie.

A small peaceful demonstration was held by Egitim-Bir-Sen (Union of Education Workers) and the association of Legal Studies in front of the UN House. Representatives from the crowd handed over a letter to be forwarded to the UN Secretary General in which they express strong objection to the war in Iraq.

4.6.4 – 4.6.5 NSTR 5 - 7 NSTR

8 ANY OTHER MATTERS Reportedly, the KBR (Kellogg Brown & Root) company has been awarded a contract from the US Army Corps of Engineers to put into action a contingency plan request for assessing and extinguishing oil well fires in Iraq and evaluating and repairing the country's petroleum infrastructure. KBR's initial task would involve hazard and operational assessment, extinguishing oil well fires, capping oil well blowouts, as well as responding to any oil spills. Following this task, KBR would perform emergency repair. KBR has subcontracted the fire-fighting portion of the work to Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc. which has already started working in southern Iraq, where fire-fighters from Kuwait are also reportedly involved in oil well fire-fighting operations.

Larnaca, 26 March 2003

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