IRAQ Displacement in Southern Governorates Babylon, Kerbala, Najaf, Qadissiya & Wassit, January 2015 SITUATION OVERVIEW

Summary The second wave saw IDPs arriving from Ninewa, following the spread of violence on Escalating insecurity in much of northern to the Ninewa plains. The last wave included and central since January 2014 a continued, but smaller stream of arrivals has caused the internal displacement of from Ninewa and an increase in IDPs from approximately 1.9 million persons across Anbar. the country. Iraq’s southern governorates, including Babylon, Kerbala, Najaf, Qadissiya The majority of IDPs in these governorates and Wassit, have for the most part not been live in public buildings and collective shelters, directly exposed to the conflict but have with the remainder mostly renting or hosted instead received a large influx of Internally by families. Although the assessed area is Displaced Persons (IDPs). A total of 38,350 largely accessible to humanitarian actors, displaced families now reside across all five relatively little assistance has been delivered assessed governorates, with the majority in to date compared to northern ares. Kerbala and Najaf. Host communities have thus far been largely IDPs in the five assessed governorates resilient to the added pressure of displaced predominantly originate from Anbar and populations, with little rise in unemployment Ninewa, and arrived in three distinct phases: and limited food shortages. However, the before June; between June and September; surge in populations has stretched and will and from September. The first wave was continue to stretch local services. CONTENTS characterised by an influx of IDPs from This report provides an overview of Methodology p2; Displacement Anbar where fighting has been ongoing displacement trends and the priority needs of Trends p2; Access to Basic Needs p4; between Armed Groups (AGs) and the communities hosting IDPs. It should be read Conclusion p7. Iraqi government since December 2013. alongside dashboards for each governorate. METHODOLOGY DISPLACEMENT TRENDS All IDP figures used in this report are from the The IOM DTM reports that a total of 38,350 IDP families have fled to Babylon, Kerbala, IOM DTM. The objective of this assessment Najaf, Qadissiya and Wassit. All five governorates have received an influx of IDPs was to gather information on the conditions in seeking refuge from the escalating conflict in northern and central Iraq. Najaf and Kerbala communities hosting IDPs as a result of the have the heaviest caseloads of 13,602 and 11,125 displaced families respectively. Only conflict, in Babylon, Kerbala, Najaf, Qadissiya Babylon has been subject to direct fighting in its northern territories, and therefore is and Wassit governorates, and to further qualify and confirm IOM DTM findings. the only governorate of the five assessed to have witnessed both internal and external displacement. The assessment was based on group discussions and key informant (KI) interviews with host communities. REACH selected Displacement Phases individual participants based on criteria relative PHASE 1: January-May 2014, displacement from Anbar. Throughout the to the research question, in order to gain reliable first half of 2014, fighting between armed groups and the Iraqi government inAnbar and relevant information. A total of 117 group discussions and interviews were held, 20–21 governorate spurred a steady stream of IDPs seeking refuge elsewhere in Iraq. interviews in Kerbala, Najaf and Wassit, and 33 Half the IDPs fleeing from Anbar in the assessed governorates settled in Kerbala because interviews in Qadissiya. 16 interviews and 14 it was closer and perceived safer than Babylon. Most of these families travelled in family group discussions were held in Babylon. and/or convoy units using private or rented vehicles. By the end of May the overwhelming LIMITATIONS majority of displaced families living in these governorates orginated from Anbar. Najaf also All interviews were with host community KIs. hosted a number of families from Ninewa, while Qadissiya hosted IDPs from Babylon, KIs were asked specific questions about the Baghdad, Diyala and Kirkuk. situation for IDPs and the host community, as well as on the overall situation. Throughout the PHASE 2: June-September 2014, displacement from Ninewa. During June report, findings refer either to IDPs, hosts, or to and July armed groupd rapidly expanded their presence in north eastern and central Iraq, both population groups. As data collected was including the takeover of City on 6 June and intense fighting in on 16 June. based on purposive sampling, findings cannot This threatened and marginalised non-Sunni ethno-religious groups living in Tal Afar and be statistically generalised to the governorate the Ninewa Plans, prompting an exodus towards the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and level, but provide a general overview. southern Iraq. In particular, towards the end of July an increasing number of Shabak

2 Figure 1: Displacement phases between January and December 2014

Total number of IDPs in governorate

Number of new IDP arrivals

Governorate of origin of IDPs Phase 1: January-May 2014 Phase 2: June-September 2014 Phase 3: September-December 2014 and Turkmen Shia Minorities from Ninewa the Iran-Iraq border, and to relocate even government to travel to and settle in the arrived in Shia-majority governorates further south of the city. From 3 August south rather than the KRI. of southern and central Iraq, choosing 2013, violence spread further into the PHASE 3: September-December traditional pilgrimige routes and religious Ninewa Plains, towars Sinjar, Zummar, 2014, Displacement from Ninewa sites as their destination (see Map 3). and areas to the north and east of Mosul. and Anbar. The period from mid- This resulted in a third, largest and fastest, Most families would travel for several September to the start of December saw wave of displacement. The majority of days, renting cars or buses and driving a continued but reduced stream of IDP those who travelled towards southern in convoy. Many took routes through the arrivals from Ninewa in the assessed governorates were Shabak and Turkmen KRI, via Erbil or Sulaymaniyah (some via southern Iraqi governorates. Although Shia, using similar routes to those Kirkuk) and then through travelled through some fighting continues in northern and outlined in Phase 2. During this period Khanaquin district towards Baghdad central Iraq, most of the families able to many displaced families were promised or Basrah. Increased insecurity in and move appear to have done so at the start a monthly incentive from the central Iraqi around Baghdad forced more IDPs to use of the crisis.

3 The IDPs who fled Ninewa in August and ACCESS TO BASIC the lack of privacy and lighting, particularly Anbar in September and October are for women and children. For example, especially vulnerable. While wealthier NEEDS showers and latrines in informal shelters families were able to afford to leave earlier are rarely lockable, lighted or separated in the year, the relatively newly displaced Shelter by gender.2 These IDP families also face moved as a last resort and have few Host communities reported that only a the risk of eviction with the start of the resources left. minority of IDPs is living in open air in academic year (which was due to begin Moreover, as seen in Map 4, the Wassit, Babylon and Qadissiya. These in September but has in some cases been displacement during these two periods families are the most vulnerable and in postponed to December) or as landowners occurred immediately after respective need of immediate assistance. Exposure start to claim rent. This could force IDPs crises, indicating instant and spontaneous and lack of household facilities such as to resort to makeshift shelters or open air movement and rendering them particularly stoves for heating and cooking, will be sleeping arrangements if they lack the vulnerable. While these IDPs are generally exacerbated during the winter months (for resources or personal support network for more vulnerable than many families example an average daily minimum of private accommodation. displaced in July, who were able to around 8 degrees celcius and 24 mm of Many IDP families across the assessed prepare for their displacement and bring rainfall in February in Qadissiya). These governorates Iraq were reportedly more belongings, many of these IDPs who households unlikely to be able to afford renting or being hosted–especially in arrived in the south before August were sufficient food and medicines. Kerbala, Qadissiya and Wassit. IDPs also in critical need. The majority of IDPs in Najaf and Babylon, residing in rented accomodation or Months later, these IDPs are now facing and large proportions in the remaining staying with friends or relatives are in less protracted displacement. With initial three governorates were known to be immediate need of assistance, but as the savings becoming rapidly exhausted, many living in collective shelters (including arrival of IDPs increases competition for of these IDPs are resorting to prolonged schools and mosques). Collective shelters jobs in host communities, and damage to negative coping mechanisms, with little seldom provide adequate access to water, transport infrastructure harms businesses, access to humanitarian assistance. sanitation, electrical and heating facilities. the ability to pay rent is unsustainable and They also raise protection concerns due to could encourage IDPs to relocate to less formal shelter arrangements.

1 NRC Safety Audits, August 2014. 4 Both IDP and host community populations times per week, and the majority in Wassit 62% 9% 11% in all assessed governorates, apart from had limited access on a weekly basis. The O% 11% Babylon and Wassit, were reportedly remaining governorates typically faced 4% mostly able to access electricity for more fuel shortages on a monthly or sometimes 4% than ten hours a day via the main network. weekly basis. Fuel shortages will increase 6% 30% In Babylon many households had access the price of fuel and risk inhibiting the 13% 21% 65% between 6 and 10 hours only per day and ability to meet cooking and heating needs. in Wassit host community homes and Babylon Kerbala IDP shelters faced difficulties accessing Food the main network. These shortages are The ongoing conflict has disrupted 11+89% 11+46509 common prior to the start of the crisis in normal food supply routes, including the 2014. Any electricity shortages that are Public Distribution System (PDS) that is faced are unlikely to affect households’ used to distribute food throughout Iraq.2 17% 62+2% 30+211364 access to heating during the winter This creates some food security concerns, O% months, as reportedly only residents in 20% 33% O% 9% as damaged roads, checkpoints and other O% Kerbala were mainly reliant on electrical infrastructure limits the availability of food 14% 16% 10% heating appliances. and causes a spike in costs. Babylon, Najaf Qadissiya Both host communities and IDPs in the Najaf and Kerbala have been particularly remaining governorates overwhelmingly affected by obstructed supply routes 58% relied on kerosene for heating. Although running through Anbar between Baghdad to Jordan.3 Armed groups also now the assessed Iraqi governorates have 6% Meat Tomatoes been less affected by fuel shortages dominating much of the country as a 12% 10% Bread Rice Figure 2: Average estimated89+ price 17+33+1614202 9+100 result of the almost year-long conflict and increase of staple food items according to 12% Chicken Cooking 22% absence of budget law, many residents in respondents at the time of assessment since Oil Qadissiya reportedly faced fuel several the start of June 2014 Wassit 40+LEGEND 40+

2 OCHA, ‘Situation Report Iraq IDP Crisis No.7’, 9-15 August 2014. 3 Al Arabiya, ‘Official: armed tribesmen seize two Iraqi cities’, 21 June 2014. 58+10+22126 5 control a large proportion of Iraq’s grain 2014. For example, the average cost of purposes or targeted by figthing parties.6 5 warehouses and supplies. Subsequently tomatoes in Najaf was estimated to have Both host community and IDP households respondents reported food shortages increased by around 90% and the price in Najaf were the most vulnerable to were experienced both by IDPs and host of bread by 20%. Despite this, the overall drinking water shortages, with large communities across the assessed Iraqi increase in food prices was reportedly not proportions facing shortages on a daily governorates, mostly in Kerbala and too uncommon or dramatic for the time basis. The majority of both population Qadissiya and to a lesser extent in Najaf. of year. In addition, IDPs were reportedly groups in this area reportedly accessed However, it is also important to bear in able to transfer their ration cards to their drinking water via the main network. The mind that some harvested foods were out displaced governorate and so often do not majority of both population groups in of season during the time of assessment need to spend large amounts of money on Wassit also relied on the main network and and therefore shortages at that time of food. However, sustained increases food subsequently faced shortages on a weekly year were not highly out of the ordinary. prices are likely to compound negative basis. Overall, food shortages were not reported effects of food shortages as some host to be life threatening. community and IDP families will not be Shortages in Wassit are likely to become even more regular as the state budget has The decrease in availability of staple able to afford to maintain their regular diet. recently been capped as federal budgets food items, restricted production and WASH have not yet been released.7 Many arrival of many IDPs, has led to a rise host community and IDP households in in food prices in the assessed Iraqi IDP families living in open air the remaining governorates reportedly governorates. The conflict has also arrangements most often will not have faced monthly water shortages, primarily hampered local food production due to access to showers or latrines at all. purchasing bottled water – apart from shortages in water, electricity and fuel In turn, collective shelters seldom Qadissiya where trucked water was (see below). Most staple food items, have an adequate number of sanitation reported to be the primary source of apart from meat, chicken and bread in factilities. This heightens the risk of water drinking water. The delivery of trucked Qadissiya and bread in Kerbala, were borne disease. The nearby conflict has water is expensive and inhibited by conflict- reported to have risen in price by the time also afffected the general water supply, of assessment since the start of the June with water access prioritised for military

5 Reuters, ‘Special Report: Islamic State Uses Grain to Tighten Grip in Iraq’, 30 September 2014 6 6 ISW, 12 September 2014. 7 OCHA, ‘Iraq Crisis Situation Report’, 15-21 November 2014. related damage to transport infrastructure able to transfer their jobs to the assessed order to cope with limited resources. If across the country. southern governorates and still receive prolonged, this strategy will negatively their salary from the central government. impact nutritional intake. Many households Livelihoods that had suffered a reduction in income in Babylon reportedly had the largest Najaf and Qadissiya were borrowing from According to KIs the majority of host proportion of IDP and host community friends or relatives. Households in debt are community populations who were households who had suffered a reduction working before June this year were still in income. This may be a result of the working at the time of assessment, with disruption caused by fighting in northern the smallest proportion in Wassit. Babylon and displacement of families The majority of respondents reported both to and from the governorate. In turn, that agricultural production was the respondents reported the smallest number primary source of income amongst of cases of reduced income in Kerbala. host communities in the 30 days prior Throughout the assessed governorates, to assessment across all assessed the fall in income and increased competition governorates, apart from Najaf. The for jobs with IDP communities was sharply agricultural sector is the largest source felt in relation to the spike in the cost of of employment in rural areas in Iraq. non-food items since the arrival of IDPs, Most farming in central and southern Iraq particularly for items such as blankets and involves planting a single crop per year, mattresses, which were in high demand this summer crop is mostly planted in the with the onset of winter. Respondents spring and harvested in autumn.8 estimated that the cost of general bedding Many respondents highlighted a primary had increased by 10% since June 2014. reliance on own trade businesses in Most host community households in Babylon, Najaf and Babylon. IDP families Babylon and Wassit were reportedly in civil employment reported that they were reducing the portion size of meals in

8 Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN, FAO Investment Centre, ‘Iraq Agricultural Sector Note’, 2012. 7 likely to face greater difficulties recovering still relatively small compared to those Kerbala, Najaf, Qadissiya and Wassit will from the the impact of a crisis. that arrrived before June. continue to level out. Most of the IDPs able to escape the The majority of IDPs in the assessed CONCLUSION protracted conflict in the area did so governorates are understood to be The assessed governorates are hosting a earlier, whereas the latest arrivals fled living in collective shelters and public large number of vulnerable IDPs - mainly as a last resort. Therefore any remaining buildings, with the remaining population families fleeing protracted conflict in Anbar civilians are most likely trapped in Anbar mostly living in rented or hosted and Shia-families escaping expansion of governorate. Overall it is foreseeable that accommodation. Despite concerns about violence and persecution in the Ninewa unless violence erupts in new areas or inadequate services and protection in Plains - due to the percieved safety is against other specific communities the collective shelters, and awareness that these host governorates and majority arrival of IDP populations to Babylon, other households may soon exhaust Shia host populations. Babylon was savings which they use to pay rent, in the only governorate from which some the short term shelter arrangements are displacement had taken place. This was mostly not life-threatening. The current due to activity from armed groups in the and future needs of the IDPs residing in northern area. 13,602 Babylon, Kerbala, Najaf, Qadissiya and Wassit need to be further assessed in Fewer IDPs arrived from Ninewa after 11,125 order to prioritise and prepare the delivery August despite continued violence in the of assistance. area of origin, indicating that the large 5,828 majority of Shia populations targetted 4,726 In turn, host communities appear to have in the Ninewa Plains have already fled. 3,069 been coping with the influx of IDPs and It is therefore unlikely that the assessed subsequent added pressure on public services and livelihoods relatively well. All governorates will witness another large Babylon Kerbala Najaf Qadissiya Wassit influx of IDPs from these areas. In turn, the assessed governorates were facing the renewed wave of IDPs in Anbar in the Figure 3: Total number of IDP families per a rise in the price of most staple food aftermath of fierce clashes in October is 15+governorate,29 December36+ 20148+ (IOM 12DTM)+ items but these were not yet considered 8 dramatic or life threatening. The majority of sanitation facilities, and access to in income. More in-depth information of households are still employed since the electricity. Household items, such as air on the most common livelihoods of onset of the second crisis in June 2014 and conditioning units and coolers should host communities could be explored in are able to cope with the expensive cost of also start to be considered in order to order to consider employment and cash food. Host communities are mostly at risk avoid a last minute intervention in the assistance. from shortages in public water and health second quarter of 2015. Moreover, as competition for scarce services which have been exacerbated by As more humanitarian assistance is resources grows and areas become the conflict. Further degradation of public delivered these sites will likely become more crowded, tensions between host services will limit the absorption capacity more formalized. Identifying informal communities and IDPs are likely to of host communities. settlements and/or any IDP camps increase.8 More research on social Overall, IDPs and host communities in that could benefit from management cohesion in the different governorates the assessed governorates are facing assistance could facilitate the a protracted situation as the conflict improvement of service provision in is unlikely to abate soon and few IDP these areas. In addition, access to health households will be able to return to services from these IDPs sites need to About REACH Initiative their areas of origin. IDP households be assessed in order to prioritise needs REACH facilitates the development of in particular may soon exhaust their and provide mobile health clinics in the information tools and products that enhance savings and face further degradation of face of dwindling public services. the capacity of aid actors to make evidence- living conditions, becoming particularly based decisions in emergency, recovery Within host communities, unemployed vulnerable during the heat of the summer and development contexts. All REACH households are particularly vulnerable months. Remaining information gaps on activities are conducted through inter-agency to increased competition for jobs, food shelter improvement and preparation aid coordination mechanisms. For more shortages and a rise in the cost of food information, you can write to our in-country for summer need to be filled. Profiling of and non-food items. They should also office: [email protected] or to our IDP sites is necessary in order to locate be monitored to understand whether global office: [email protected]. and address shelter needs, including unhealthy coping mechanisms start to Visit www.reach-intiative.org and follow us @ water provision, access to and lighting REACH_info. be employed in response to reductions

9 Washington Post, ‘Iraqi say their fight is against more than just the Islamic State’, 28 August 2014. 9