ANBAR GOVERNORATE,

INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT FACTSHEET DISPLACEMENT OVERVIEW ATA COLLECTED EPTEMBER D : 8 – 15 S 2014 Since the end of 2013, Iraqi households have been fleeing armed activities between Armed Opposition Groups (AOGs) and the Iraqi Government in Anbar governorate. By May 2014, an

The worsening security situation in parts of northern and central Iraq has caused mass estimated 72,325 Iraq households had already left the governorate.1 The spread of violence internal displacement across much of the country. Humanitarian response operations since the takeover of by AOGs in June 2014 has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. have been taking place in the accessible areas of the north where approximately half of According to the IOM DTM from 14 September 2014, there are 343,356 IDPs settled in 247 the 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have currently settled. Elsewhere in different locations throughout Anbar governorate. the country however, where security issues have imposed access constraints, information is incomplete and assistance is limited, leaving the remaining half of the Map 1: Districts included in the Anbar governorate analysis displaced population without support from the humanitarian sector.

In response to these information gaps, REACH Initiative set up and is using a network of key informants originating from inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas to assess the current situation in order to inform a rapid, targeted humanitarian response in these areas, as soon as they become accessible. This factsheet provides an overview of displacement trend from and to IDPs’ areas of origin, as well as key issues related to shelter, food and livelihoods faced by IDPs and communities living in areas affected by the crisis, followed by priority needs as identified during the assessment. The factsheet should be read in conjunction with the Anbar governorate dashboard.

Data was collected between 8 and 16 September 2014, using a Key Informant (KI) network across eight districts in Anbar governorate: Ana, Falluja, , Heet, Ka’im, , Rutba and Ru’ua. In this factsheet, primary data is complemented by secondary sources including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and other humanitarian reports. The report contains district-level comparisons within Anbar governorate, as well as comparisons between Diyala, Ninewa, Salah Al Din and Wassit governorates assessed by REACH during the same period.1

1 IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (14 September 2014)

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METHODOLOGY DISPLACEMENT TRENDS

For this assessment, REACH used its Area of Origin (AoO) methodology, which was DISPLACEMENT FROM AREA OF ORIGIN designed and is currently applied in other emergency settings as part of its overall All community group discussions confirmed the influx of families from Anbar governorate support to the regional Syria crisis response. The AoO methodology was first piloted in since the end of 2013. They reported more IDPs would leave Anbar if security continues Iraq in July 2014.2 By interviewing IDPs about their usual place of residence. REACH has to worsen or if the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) opens its borders. Since the time of been able to collect information about the situation in conflict-affected areas where there assessment military clashes and bombings in Anbar have escalated, with AOGs claiming is no or limited humanitarian access. Due to the dynamic context, REACH teams were to have taken more territory in the governorate.3 The security forecast worsens when also able to collect information directly from key informants in newly accessible areas. taking into account the delayed formation of a new government in , heightened

sectarian tensions in Iraq and expanding international involvement in airstrikes in the Using a pre-established network from prior assessment activities, REACH teams region.4 FDGs indicated that families had also left due to fear of persecution and loss of identified Key Informants (KIs) who were staying in targeted areas or who were in regular income. On the other hand, remaining families chose to remain close to family or to contact with persons in their place of origin since leaving and were willing to provide protect their assets. information. Locations for data collection were based on figures provided by the DTM which indicated where large populations of IDPs had arrived from since August 2014. Group discussions reported there were many communities are hosting displaced families who have relocated within Anbar governorate. Most IDPs come from Falluja and Ramadi KIs and recent arrived IDPs were interviewed in groups of 3 – 5 participants based on districts, which have been affected by military clashes.5 A few IDPs came from Heet, also their city, town or village of origin. Community-based group discussions were used in within Anbar governorate. It was also reported that Anbar hosts a small proportion of order to ensure that the views of multiple informants were taken into account, including a IDPs originating from other governorates, including from in Salah al-Din combination of different ages and sexes where possible. Findings from these discussions governorate, and Adhmaniya in Baghdad governorate. are supported by relevant secondary data sources. For more information on displacement routes please see the map in Annex I. To provide indicative findings at governorate level REACH teams collected 20 – 21 community group discussion samples per governorate. The stratification of these RETURN TO AREA OF ORIGIN samples across the districts was weighted against the numbers of towns per district. For According to group discussions, no IDP have yet returned to their areas of origin. Many certain districts a larger sample size was achieved due to the extensive presence of IDPs IDPs did attempt to return in April 2014 but had to leave again due to continued originating from these areas in the location of the assessment. During data cleaning instability.6 Faced with protracted conflict, an increasing proportion of displaced additional samples were randomly deleted to achieve a baseline sample size required for households from Anbar who have relocated to other governorates intend to stay and each governorate weighted by districts. Where 10 or more samples for an individual integrate in their current location.1 district were achieved, they are included in district-level analysis.

3 Al Jazeera, Fighting rages in Iraq’s Anbar Province (5 October 2014); Al Jazeera, Iraq army pressured by ISIL in west: official (11 October 2014). 4 BBC News, US: New government is ‘milestone’ for Iraq, (9 September 2014); Newsweek, launches offensive on Islamic state, (17 September 2014); Chicago Tribune, Obama says key allies ready to join US action in Iraq, (5 September 2014); Al Jazeera, Obama outlines plan to target IS fighters, (11 September 2014). The Telegraph, France strikes Islamic State group’s depot in Iraq (Sunday 21 September 2014). 5 UNHCR, Briefing notes, Displacement of people continues to rise in Anbar, Iraq, (7 March 2014). 2 REACH, Assessment of Area of Origin of Internally Displaced Persons in Northern Iraq, (12 July 2014). 6 IOM, governorate Profile: Anbar, (April 2014), p.2.

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Field observations found that some male-heads of households have since temporarily On average, group discussions reported 17% of buildings or infrastructure (ie. roads, returned to assess the status of their assets and security situation. supply networks, etc.) had been heavily damaged, while only 29% had not suffered any damage at all. Damaged infrastructure undermines access by humanitarian aid actors to populations in Anbar affected by the conflict.8 ACCESS TO SHELTER, FOOD AND LIVELIHOODS Figure 2: Reported damage levels among infrastructure and buildings

SHELTER No damage Slight damage 58% IDPS WERE RENTING A HOUSE/APARTMENT OR HOSTED BY FAMILY 29% 20% 13% 17% 21% Moderate damage

Findings indicate that most IDPs were either staying in houses or apartments, or were Heavy damage hosted by friends or family. Although these IDPs living in rented accommodation are less Destruction vulnerable than those living in collective or makeshift shelters, they may not be able to 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% afford as demands for housing and rent prices are increased, while at the same time there are limited employment opportunities (see Livelihoods). Some IDPs currently staying in rented accommodation will be further displaced in order to find alternative FOOD shelter options. Compared to the other governorates assessed by REACH, a larger proportion of group

One key informant reported that 40% IDPs have settled in schools across Anbar. With discussions from Anbar reported that many people are facing food shortages, although nor support from family and friends, neither resources to pay rent, most of these this was not a life threatening situation. Many families in Anbar governorate will not be displaced households will have no other alternative than to relocate to open air or able to afford the same consumption patterns as before the crisis, as a result of the makeshift shelters as schools resume their activity. At the time of assessment already 9% inflation of prices for staple diet items.Nonetheless, reportedly the price of meat between displaced families were living in open air spaces in Anbar, which is the second highest the start of the conflict and 15 September decreased. This can be explained as many proportion across the five governorates assessed by REACH. IDPs settled in open air families decided to sell livestock before relocating, flooding the market in the short-term. spaces will be particularly vulnerable to the impact of the winter months. Figure 1: Reported price inflation among key food items since the start of the crisis The conflict has caused significant damage to buildings and consequently has further limited the availability of housing throughout Anbar governorate. One IDP stated: “Falluja Chicken 0% was razed to the ground and is no longer habitable.”7 Mortar shelling has also directly Cooking Oil 40% forced relocation and prevents return. Meat -4% 21% OF BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE WERE COMPLETELY Bread 26% DESTROYED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE CONFLICT Rice 29%

Tomato Paste 30%

7 Al-Monitor, ‘8 months in, clashes in Anbar continue’, (5 August 2014). 8 UNOCHA, 2014 Strategic Response Plan, Revision, (June 2014), p.34.

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LIVELIHOODS

Communities in Anbar governorate rely on the general electricity network, accessible for LESS THAN 10% OF THE PRE-CRISIS WORKING POPULATION WERE REPORTEDLY either less than two hours a day or between only two and six hours a day. Governorate- STILL EMPLOYED wide electricity supply has historically been unreliable - IDPs are particularly affected by these shortages as they are not able to afford private generators.11 In turn, some of the Group discussions commonly estimated that 80-89% of the population in Anbar have had displaced population faced weekly or twice weekly water shortages, whilst many in the their income reduced. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) local community were reportedly facing water shortages on a daily basis. identified large numbers of IDPs in Anbar facing a complete loss of livelihoods.9 Subsequently group discussions stated that the majority of displaced households in Anbar was the only governorate where no group discussions reported shelter as a Anbar primarily relied on their savings. The other main reported source of income was primary, secondary or tertiary need for IDPs, while all the other governorates listed this unskilled non-agricultural labour – more so than for any other governorate assessed. as at least a primary need.12 Taking into account Shelter findings above, this demonstrates a prioritisation of more basic needs rather than generally adequate shelter. Unable to fulfil their basic needs IDPs in Anbar governorate are particularly vulnerable. OF FAMILIES HAVE SEEN THEIR HOUSEHOLD 80-89% INCOME REDUCED According to some of the group discussions this will soon result in more fatalities.

The combination of low availability of affordable housing, increased food prices and limited employment opportunities indicates that displaced households will rapidly risk LESS THAN 10% OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WERE FUNCTIONING exhausting their savings. This can spur negative coping mechanisms. For instance, the majority of group discussions reported that IDPs were already reducing their meal portion Group discussions reported that health centres are unable to function at full capacity due size or spending days without eating. The population in Anbar is thus vulnerable to to conflict-related damage, and also pointed to a lack of medicines. inadequate nutritional intake and poor consumption patterns. Group discussions also reveal that IDPs were reducing medical health expenditures. Lastly, group discussions indicated that the most commonly reported heating source amongst displaced families was kerosene. However, Iraq is currently facing fuel shortages as fighting near refineries limits production13 - for some families on a daily basis, while many experienced shortages several times a week. As fuel shortages are FIRST PRIORITY NEEDS likely to continue, displaced households reliant on kerosene will be unable to adequately heat their homes during the winter.14 Although group discussions also indicated families commonly use electric heaters, the unreliable electricity network in Anbar will not be THE FIRST PRIORITY NEED WAS CASH sufficient.

An IOM report from April 2014 stated that 96% of IDPs in Anbar were unable to afford 10 basic commodities. The need for cash points to an increasing number of IDPs that will likely lose the ability to meet the costs of rent, food and health expenditures. Group discussions also identified food, electricity and water as priority needs.

11 IOM, governorate Profile: Anbar, (18 September 2013). 12 Ibid., p.3. 9 OCHA, Situation Report, 6 September 2014, p.3. 13 European Commission, Iraq- Humanitarian situation and displacement, (2 September 2014). 10 IOM, governorate Profile: Anbar, (April 2014), p.3. 14 The average temperature in January ranges between 15 and 4 degrees Celsius. Weatherbase.

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CONCLUSION

Ongoing conflict in Anbar since 2013 has caused multiple, continuing displacements both within and outside the governorate. Many people have fled from Anbar to other areas in Iraq, particularly to Baghdad governorate. According to the IOM DTM from 14 September 2014, while a total 82,621 families have left Anbar in 2014, in turn 343,356 IDPs have settled in Anbar governorate. Most families have stayed in Anbar because they cannot afford to leave, and also want to stay close to family or to protect their assets – they are now trapped in a humanitarian and security crisis, unable to meet their basic needs.

Many IDPs that relocated within Anbar governorate come from Falluja and Ramadi. Both districts have been devastated by violence: community group discussions reported around 30% of buildings completely destroyed. This has had a negative impact on the provision of health, water and electricity services. Compared to other districts food was ranked the highest primary need in Falluja and Ramadi. Some group discussion noted that severe malnutrition had already occurred in Falluja and was likely to occur in Ramadi in the near future. The primary needs are exacerbated by poor access to livelihoods; less than 10% of the population in Ramadi still working, and many reported none of the previously employed in Falluja still working. Subsequently families have resorted to negative coping strategies such as reducing food consumption.

Although the majority of the IDPs in Anbar were staying in rented accommodation or were being hosted by with family or friends, faced with a drastic reduction in livelihoods, coupled with increasing rent prices, a large number of these families will be unable to sustain their current renting arrangement. IDPs already living in open air or soon to be evacuated from schools in which they have temporarily settled, will be particularly vulnerable during the upcoming winter season. Compounded by a drastic decrease in available health services, and regular shortages in access to fuel, electricity and water, IDPs in Anbar governorate are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. About REACH Initiative REACH facilitates the development of information tools and products that enhance the capacity of aid actors to make evidence-based decisions in emergency, recovery and development contexts. All REACH activities are conducted through inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, you can write to our in-country office: [email protected] or to our global office: [email protected]. Visit www.reach-intiative.org and follow us @REACH_info.

5 For humanitarian purpose only IRAQ - IDP Crisis Production date : 22 September 2014 Reported movement of IDPs from Anbar to KRI

TURKEY

Zakho

Duhok ERBIL IRAN

Tal Afar Sinjar Mosul

Erbil SYRIA NINEWA

SULAYMANIYAH

Sulaymaniyah

KIRKUK

Tuz Khormato

SALAH Tikrit AL-DIN

e n a Al Qaim l p

y B

Haditha

DIYALA

Baquba

ANBAR

Ramadi Falluja Baghdad

BAGHDAD

WASSIT

Karbala Hilla BABYLON KERBALA

Kms QADISSIYA 0 40 80 120

TURKEY Data sources: Reported Area Reported Location Main routes taken Displacement Routes: of Origin IDPs in Anbar IDPs from Anbar by IDPs from Anbar REACHparticipatory participatory mapping sessions on the way to KRI (# of families (# of families) SYRIA IPD Location and AOO: IOM DTM by governorate) IRAN Admin level: OCHA COD Alternative routes taken by IDPs from File: IRQ_MAP_IDP_Anbarorigin_ 0 - 500 0 - 100 Anbar on the way to KRI RoutesToKRI_18Sep2014 501 - 1,000 Anbar Contact: [email protected] 101 - 1,000 1,001 - 2,000 Governorate capital Note: Data, designations and boundaries 2,001 - 4,000 1,001 - 5,000 contained on this map are not warranted Other cities to error-free and do not imply acceptance 4,001 - 8,000 by the REACH partners, associated, 5,001 - 10,000 8,001 - 12,000 SAUDI ARABIA donors mentioned on this map. For Humanitarian purposes only. More than 10,000