: Humanitarian Crisis Situation Report No. 59 (26 August – 1 September 2015)

This report is produced by OCHA Iraq in collaboration with humanitarian partners. Due to the dynamic situation, it is possible that the numbers and locations listed in this report may no longer be accurate. The next report will be issued on or around 11 September. Highlights

 IDPs in Governorate fear forced return to following Government announcement

 More than 71,000 IDPs return to Diyala in August despite ongoing insecurity; interagency mission to assess returnee needs on the ground

 Peshmerga advances result in close to 10,000 new IDPs in southwest Kirkuk

 Inter-cluster mission to Debaga undertaken; livelihood support and provision of services recommended

Reference map. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the UN. 8.6 m 5.6 m 3.2 m 2.9 m 3.2 m 0.25 m people in need targeted for internally displaced displaced people affected people in Syrian refugees assistance people live outside camps host communities

Situation Overview

Pressure is increasing on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in to return to their places of origin,particularly Diyala Governorate. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Kirkuk currently hosts 410,754 IDPs, or the fourth largest IDP population in the country after Anbar, Baghdad, and Dahuk governorates. This accounts for 13 per cent of Iraq’s 3.2 million displaced.

Of the IDPs in Kirkuk, 142,740 individuals originate from Salah al-Din (35 per cent), followed by Anbar (126,396 IDPs/31 per cent), Kirkuk (80,238 IDPs/20 per cent), Ninewa (35,196 IDPs/9 per cent), as well as Diyala, Baghdad and Babylon governorates (combined total of 26,184 IDPs/6 per cent). Approximately half the population displaced to Kirkuk have been displaced for more than a year. Over half of the IDP population (60 per cent) live in rented accommodation, while 15 per cent live in critical shelter arrangements, 9 per cent live with host families, and just 3 per cent live in the Laylan and Yahywa IDP camps in District. A third camp is now under construction in the same district.

On 23 August, the Kirkuk Provincial Council announced that all IDPs from Diyala should leave Kirkuk Governorate within one month. If implemented, the decision would affect tens of thousands of individuals registered with the

+ For more information, see “background on the crisis” at the end of the report

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Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) as originating from Diyala Governorate. However, as many IDPs are unregistered, the figure is likely to be much higher.

Between 5 and 28 August, IOM DTM identified 71,184 individuals as having returned to Diyala Governorate. Of these, some are believed to be enforced returns. Over half have returned to Khalis District and 40 per cent to Muqdadiya District, with the remaining to and Districts. Most of the returnees have been displaced to other locations within Diyala, as well as to and Kirkuk governorates. Returns have taken place despite ongoing reports of insecurity in Ba’quba city in Diyala Governorate, which is linked to sectarian tensions. The returning families have been screened by security personnel prior to return.

There are current allegations that families from villages that have been under government control for months in Diyala Governorate are being prevented from returning. This is due to a variety of reasons including security, sectarian affiliation, and prolonged return procedures. There are also reports that returnees have had their movements restricted and have not been allowed to choose their residences freely. An interagency mission to Khalis and Muqdadiya districts in Diyala Governorate is planned for 10 September to assess the situation of returnees and to gain a broader understanding of their needs.

Further displacement in Kirkuk Governorate has been reported as conflict in the southwest of the governorate continues. Between 24 August and 1 September, 1,615 families or 9,690 individuals, were displaced from their villages surrounding Daquq and Hawiga District, following Kurdish Peshmerga advances and the reclaiming of villages under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). According to initial information, the families of Tal-Bisal, Tamoor, Sumaq, Al-Bu-Mohammed, Yarqoon, and Banshakh were displaced by the Peshmerga forces in the process of establishing the new security line. 37 per cent of displaced families moved to Daquq, while 63 per cent travelled to Kirkuk City where they are currently staying with relatives.

Updated information on conditions inside Heet District in Anbar Governorate was received on 31 August. Local sources indicated that approximately 50 per cent of the original population remains in the district, or between 35,000 and 40,000 people. Heet also hosts an additional 50,000 IDPs, who displaced from District in Salah al-Din Governorate; Falluja District in Anbar Governorate; and Ninewa Governorate. Supplies and commercial goods are reaching Heet from Syria via the al-Qaim border crossing. However, conditions are reportedly deteriorating rapidly since the payment of salaries of governmental employees stopped in June. Water is limited and electricity is only provided by private generators. The main hospital continues to operate, although stocks of medicines and basic supplies are reportedly insufficient.

An inter-cluster mission to the village of Debaga in Governorate was undertaken on 26 August where approximately 800 IDP families are now living. The purpose of the visit was to review the ongoing humanitarian response and completion of a new camp funded by the Emirates Red Crescent at the site. Initial findings indicate that most IDPs wished to relocate to the new camp, but had received no information about the relocation plan. Recommendations include cluster support for camp management, the provision of services such as WASH and garbage collection, as well as improved access to livelihood activities and assurances of IDP freedom of movement. Humanitarian Response

Protection Needs:  The Bzeibiz Bridge between Anbar and Baghdad governorates remains officially closed to IDPs wishing to enter Baghdad with a few exceptions, such as medical cases. 60 families remain at the checkpoint unable to cross.  Some 800 families displaced from villages inside , Kirkuk Governorate are reportedly gathering at Daquq checkpoint, or in Daquq City, following military operations and are awaiting approval and security screening to enter . As with the Anbar IDPs, access to safety is a primary concern for this group. Most of those fleeing are vulnerable families, with an average of 15 to 30 individuals crossing per day.  In Dahuk Governorate, where child marriage remains a prominent issue, there is a need for continuous psychosocial services to enhance resilience for survivors of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence (SGBV).

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Response:  Protection monitors in the central governorates of the country conducted 40 community-level assessments to identify the needs of displaced families and 1,052 household-level protection assessments (excluding Baghdad). They provided legal assistance for 200 cases, legal counselling for 286 individuals in the central governorates (excluding Baghdad), as well as identified and referred 592 families for cash assistance.  A protection team met with the Director of Kerbala Governorate’s Department of Labor and Social Affairs (DOLSA) to discuss the prevalence of child laborers working in the streets and the vulnerable conditions of their families. This led to approval of cash assistance to some of the families by the department.  A protection team met with the Labor and Social Affairs Department’s Chief of Examinations in Governorate to ensure that unregistered IDP students were allowed to sit for their final exams.  An Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) programme is rolling out the last in a series of three- day Housing, Land and Property (HLP) trainings with humanitarian shelter and protection cluster actors in Kerbala, Dahuk, Erbil, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah and Baghdad governorates. The trainings covered the international and domestic legal frameworks governing HLP, HLP and durable solutions, as well as practical tools for ensuring security of tenure in humanitarian shelter and protection activities. ICLA has also instituted an eviction hotline and response program in Dahuk, Erbil and Baghdad.  4,596 dignity kits with sanitary pads, body soap, dresses and pajamas were distributed to displaced women and girls in .  In Dahuk Governorate, 104 families were visited by mobile child protection units. Four new cases in need of specialized child protection services were identified and provided with case management services.  136 girls and 159 boys were provided with specialized psychosocial support services in Basrah Governorate. Gaps and constraints:  In Erbil Governorate, the quality of shelter services continues to be a gap for SGBV survivors who need life- saving protection and health services.  There are gaps in the timely planning of GBV response and prevention programs in newly established camps in such as Barznja and Ashti, as well as Surdash IDP camp which is now under construction. This has created a lack of coverage in some areas, while with a duplication of activities in other areas.  Most IDPs fleeing into Kirkuk Governorate enter through a check point south of Daquq. Access to the checkpoint for humanitarian actors, including child protection, is restricted, however. This makes it difficult for newly displaced children, particularly the most vulnerable and those who are unaccompanied and separated, to be properly identified.  There are no child friendly spaces in eight camps in Ameriyat al-Falluja Sub-district and Central Camp in Falluja District, Anbar Governorate, as well as the camp at the Bzeibiz Bridge and the Sadar Al Yousufiya IDP Camp, Mahmoudiya District, in .  Funds for child protection activities have been exhausted at the IDP camps of Chamishku, Kabarto 1 and 2, Shariya, Beseve 1 and 2, and Qadia in Dahuk Governorate, as well as Mamilian IDP Camp in Ninewa Governorate. To ensure that the needs of children continue to be met, child protection agencies are currently working voluntarily without pay.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Needs:  50 families recently displaced from Al Khaldeya and Rahaliya sub-districts in District to the Bzeibiz Bridge in Ameriyat al-Falluja Sub-district, Anbar Governorate, are in need of safe drinking water.  Access to water for 4,450 IDP families in Habbaniya Tourist City, Al Madina al Siyahiya Sub-district, Falluja District, Anbar Governorate, remains a key priority.  425 IDP families at the Akrad Zobaa IDP Camp in Mahmoudiya District, Baghdad Governorate, need drinking water, re-allocation of latrines and showers, garbage bins and cleaning campaigns.  110 IDP families at the Khaimet AlIraq IDP Camp in Mahmoudiya District and 375 IDP families at the Al-Janabi IDP Camp, District, in Baghdad Governorate, need access to drinking water sources.  Additional latrines and showers are required for 65 new families at the Al-Ahal tented camp in , Baghdad Governorate. The camp currently hosts 358 IDP families and existing latrines and showers need to be reorganized, as well as water pumps installed.

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 A potable water source is needed for 90 families at the Al-Amel Al-Manshod camp, Abu Ghraib District, Baghdad Governorate. The development of new wells and installation of water treatment units has been proposed.  325 IDP families at the Nabi Younis IDP Camp, in Mada'in District, Baghdad Governorate, require hygiene items, including baby diapers.  1,833 families at the Laylan IDP Camp in Kirkuk Governorate, are in urgent need of hygiene kits and supplies. Response:  In Habbaniya Tourist City, Anbar Governorate, WASH partners and local authorities have increased water supply by installing a mobile water treatment unit and a 90,000L storage tank. This will double drinking water production and enable four daily tanker trips.  110 IDP families settled near the Bzeibiz Bridge have been provided with hygiene kits, solid waste services and bottled water in Ameriyat al-Falluja Sub-district, Anbar Governorate.  26,300 IDPs continue to benefit from daily water trucking in Al `Amiriyah Abbar, Al `Amiriyah Bzeibiz, MODM tent camp, Al-Amel Al-Manshood, White IDP Camp and scattered tents in Al `Amiriyah Sub district, Habbaniya Tourist City and Al Khaldeya Sub district center, and Nukhyb District centre, in Anbar Governorate.  In Mahmoudiya District, Baghdad Governorate, hygiene kits, jerry cans and bottled water were distributed to 94 families in Albo Nemer camp, 570 families in Albo Salih camp and Albo Salih unfinished buildings, 68 families in Bzeibiz transit camp, 425 families in Akrad Zoba'a tented camp and 110 families in Khaimt AlIraq IDP Camp. In Rasheed (Al-Wihda) caravan camp, 176 families received hygiene kits.  1,200 families at the Al Takia collection camp in Karkh District, Baghdad Governorate, were supported through ongoing cleaning and desludging of 98 latrines and showers and solid waste collection. Two water tanks were installed in the collection centre’s school. 375 families at the Al Janabi IDP Camp were provided with hygiene kits.  1,000 families in Basrah and Zubair districts, Basrah Governorate, were provided with family water kits (collapsible jerry cans, buckets, soap and water purification tablets), toilet jugs, simplified hygiene kits (soap, detergent, sanitary pads) and garbage bags.  2,700 families in Diyala Governorate returning to Mansuriya Sub-district, Ba'quba District and Sharween and Dali Abbas sub-districts, Khalis District, were provided with family water kits, garbage bags and toilet jugs.  Some 1,000 families received family water kits, toilet jugs, simplified hygiene kits, and garbage bags in Amara, Qal'at Saleh, Ali Al-Gharbi district, and Al-Kabi districts.  17 water tanks have been installed in , , on the road from Najaf to Kerbala governorates, while work continues through the Najaf Directorate of Water to install a water treatment unit and develop the water network to connect to the water source.  6,209 families in , Najaf and Manathera districts, Najaf Governorate, received family water kits, toilet jugs, simplified hygiene kits, garbage bags and brooms.  2,667 families in Diwaniya, Afaq, Hamza and Shamiya districts, Qadissiya Governorate, received family water kits, toilet jugs, simplified hygiene kits, garbage bags and brooms.  1,000 families in in Shatra, Nassriya and Suq Al-Shoyokh districts, Thi-Qar Governorate, received family water kits, toilet jugs, simplified hygiene kits, and garbage bags. Gaps and constraints:  Partners face difficulties transporting relief materials due to challenges with military clearances and at security and police check points in Anbar, Tikrit and Salah al-Din governorates.  In Anbar Governorate, there has been an increased number of IDPs fleeing from hot spots, putting pressure on services in camps. Many seeking shelter in areas around the official camps, are yet to be registered and therefore cannot easily benefit from humanitarian assistance and services.  The WASH needs of newly displaced IDP families identified for Laylan IDP Camp in Kirkuk Governorate remain largely unmet. WASH cluster partners with capacity to respond are being sought.

Shelter and Non-Food Items Needs:  The renovation of IDP shelters for 120 IDPs in Wassit Governorate, 150 IDPs in Qadissiya Governorate, and 240 IDPs in Kerbala Governorate is necessary, to include WASH services, kitchen supplies and electricity.  10,728 IDPs in Wassit Governorate and 7,782 IDPs in Qadissiya Governorate, living in critical shelter conditions, are in need of non-food items (NFIs), including kitchen utensils, as well as hygiene kits.

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 Assistance with sealing off kits is needed for 300 IDPs in Diyala and 600 IDPs in Salah al-Din to repair damaged shelters. Response:  150 NFI kits were distributed to IDPs who recently moved from hotels to MoDM camps in Kerbala Governorate.  Cash distributions were completed for 700 households in Taji, Al Jazear and Gharb Dijla in Baghdad Governorate. Gaps and constraints:  To date, only 27 per cent of the $95 million requested for shelter and NFIs under the Iraq Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) has been funded.

Health Needs:  Essential primary and secondary health care services for displaced people and refugees, host communities and other conflict-affected people are needed.  Supporting fixed health facilities and deployment of mobile teams in areas of emerging conflict to support displaced people who live outside camps, including in Ninewa, Anbar and Kirkuk governorates is a priority.  Early detection and investigation of disease alerts and timely response to outbreaks will continue to be a focus. Response:  25,222 health consultations were undertaken between 23 and 29 August. The provision of primary health care intervention is inclusive of non-communicable diseases, mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS).  1,706 specialized health consultations were provided to IDPs and affected communities, including treatment for chronic diseases and MHPSS. 63 cases required hospitalization.  Strengthening and sustaining disease surveillance/EWARN system in the camps.  This week, 7.8 metric tonnes of medical supplies were delivered to District and al Baghdadi Sub-district in Anbar Governorate.  Five caravans were provided to the primary health care centre in Habbaniya Tourist City in Anbar Governorate. The caravans will operate as laboratory and dentistry units. Gaps and constraints:  Health services in the KR-I are overburdened by the high number of displaced people.  Hard-to-reach areas remain a concern, particularly for health, with limited capacities left within the local health service delivery system and few partners available on ground.

Food Security Needs:  At least 4.4 million people are estimated to need food assistance. Food partners aim to reach up to 2.2 million affected people under the 2015 Humanitarian Response Plan.  A Food Security Cluster partner has reported approximately 3,500 people require food assistance in Kirkuk Governorate.  Nearly 1,200 IDPs living in tents in Al-Hardanai, 30km south of District, Salah al-Din Governorate, require urgent food, water and shelter support. Response:  Some 28,000 IDPs at the Arbat IDP Camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and the Karkh IDP Camp in Baghdad Governorate received Family Food Parcels (FFPs) between 25 August and 1 September.  79,000 IDPs received their August food vouchers between 25 August and 1 September in Erbil and Dahuk governorates This assists the same number of people as in previous months, however the vouchers have been reduced in value in April 2015, and reduced in number of vouchers per family (for some family sizes) as of August.  Nearly 11,000 transient IDPs received Immediate Response Rations (IRRs) through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) during the reporting period.

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 The Kuwaiti Red Crescent has made a one-time food distribution to approximately 15,500 households living within camps in Dahuk Governorate. In order to prevent the duplication of assistance, and preserve limited stock, food security cluster partners suspended the distribution of FFPs in Dahuk governorate until September. The food parcels consist of 15 items and are sufficient for one month.  Partners have begun the distribution of 4,000 RRM kits in and around Tikrit, Salah al-Din Governorate. Gaps and constraints:  Funding continues to constrain the response. Without a further US$65.3 million, food security cluster partners will be forced to make even more significant cuts to their current food assistance. This may include a complete cut in food assistance to some beneficiary groups and/or a scaling back of geographical coverage.  Under the current resourcing scenario and despite numerous cost cutting measures, the provision of food vouchers will be suspended for approximately 450,000 people in October. The provision of monthly food rations for a further 1.6 million people will be suspended in November.  Humanitarian access remains challenging, both for humanitarian actors to reach people who are affected by the current crisis and for people to safely access humanitarian assistance and services.  Partners operating in Kirkuk and Diyala governorates have reported protection concerns, with difficulty accessing people in need in some instances.  Lack of a consolidated, updated beneficiary list continues to be a challenge for partners in Kirkuk and Diyala governorates.

Education Needs:  About 3.2 million school aged children have been affected by the current crisis. Over 1 million of these children are displaced school aged girls and boys. About 70 per cent of the displaced children have lost almost a full year of education. As of the end of the school year, just over 30 per cent of displaced children had access to any form of education.  Where available, most schools are full, overcrowded and cannot accommodate all displaced students. High pupil to teacher ratios, an inadequate number of qualified teachers, and a limited number of teachers with training either on psychosocial care and support or special needs were cited. Gaps and constraints:  Security is hindering the provision of services to learners in Anbar and Salah al-Din governorates. Limited capacity of warehouses prevents pre-positioning of supplies at the governorate level.  As the new school year approaches, there is limited capacity to provide space for displaced children’s access to education across the country.  There is a lack of resources and funding within the education sector. Schools lack the necessary desks, books and school materials to ensure a basic quality of education. Families need support for expenses for learning materials and transportation.

Logistics

Response:  Arrangements are underway to set up an additional multi-storage unit (320 m² capacity) in Dahuk, to expand the Logistics Cluster’s storage capacity in view of the upcoming winterization campaign. The storage capacity for pre-positioning and contingency stocks is limited, mainly due to access constraints, the rapidly changing security environment and increasing humanitarian needs.

Emergency Telecommunications

Response:  Emergency IT and telecommunications services are being provided by the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC). They include the provision of radio services to improve the safety and security of humanitarian staff on the ground. The provision of internet services in camps allows organizations to communicate and coordinate operations more effectively.  The ETC is coordinating with Partner Ericson Response, to scale up data services in Arbat, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, and Domiz, Dahuk Governorate.

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Background on the crisis Wide-scale violence and armed conflict erupted in Iraq in January 2014. Initially concentrated in Anbar Governorate, with the cities of Ramadi and Falluja particularly affected, the violence and its impact quickly grew, displacing over 500,000 people by May. In June 2014, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), together with other armed groups, attacked and seized control of and large portions of northern Iraq, including areas of Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din governorates. This has led to ongoing armed conflict, massive internal displacement, serious and systematic violations of civilian protection and basic human rights, interrupted access to basic services, and severe strain on host communities. As a result, Iraq is now contending with one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with over 8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

For further information, please contact: Cecilia Attefors, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, [email protected], Tel: +964 (0)751 1352880 David Swanson, Public Information Officer, [email protected], Tel: +964 (0)751 1844379

For more information, please visit http://iraq.humanitarianresponse.info

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