IOM Iraq Newsletter - Volume I 2011 - October/November/December 2010 Mission in Iraq IOM Iraq Newsletter Volume I 2011 Oct/Nov/Dec 2010 Phone: +962 6 56 59 660 - Fax: +962 6 56 59 661 - [email protected] - http://www.iomiraq.net IOM Mission in Iraq October-December 2010 Contents Foreword from the Chief of Mission 3 Completion of the Karez Project in Sulaymaniyah 4 A new era of displacement for Christian Iraqis 5 Integrated Capacity Building Programme/Movement and Assisted Migration 6 Monitoring Workshop/A Returnee's Story Programme for Human Security and Stabilization 7 A Protrait of Success Community Assistance Project 8 Renovation of a School in Sulaymaniyah http://www.iomiraq.net 3 IOM Mission in Iraq October-December 2010 A young girl in Kerbala who has been displaced Foreword from the Chief of Mission The new year will see IOM continuing to play a major role in Iraq's ongoing rehabilitation. Despite facing many of the same challenges, IOM will strive to improve the way in which it assists migrants. The formation of the new government has provided the mission with an opportunity to create lasting solutions for the Iraqi people. In the coming year IOM is focused on stabilizing and rebuilding the lives of the displaced, returnee and host communities; female and youth-headed households; victims of ongoing conflict; disabled, unemployed and underemployed citizens; and residents threatened by forced eviction. Furthermore, IOM plans on extending its mission to a number of new and exciting projects, whilst also adapting to the fresh challenges the new year will pose, such as the recent displacement of Christians. To achieve its goals, cooperation and coordination are invaluable among humanitarian partners for the effective and sustainable delivery of assistance. IOM will work alongside the new government, as well as donors, UN Agencies, NGO partners, authorities at the central, Kurdistan Regional Government, provincial and local levels and the private sector, to efficiently and effectively fulfill its objectives. IOM will continue to adapt its operational structure and strategy to achieve a stable and prosperous future for the Iraqi people. In pursuit of this goal, IOM continues to increase its presence on the ground with many of its staff relocating to positions right across the country. Utilizing logisitical and administrative support from our office in Amman, Jordan, the three regional hub offices in Baghdad, Basrah and Erbil will take full responsibility for directly implementing IOM activities and thus increase our efficiency and effectiveness to deliver on our objectivies. Sincerely yours, Michael Pillinger Chief of Mission, IOM Iraq http://www.iomiraq.net 4 Renovation of Karezes in Sulaymaniyah October-December 2010 Completion of the Kareze Project in Sulaymaniyah Since March 2010, IOM, in partnership with UNESCO has been restoring karezes in the Governorate of Sulaymaniyah. Karezes are ancient traditional water systems which provide rural areas with irrigation and drinking water in a sustainable manner. In this new era of modernization, they were slowly forgotten in favour of water sources which were considered more modern and efficient such as deep or shallow wells. However, as drought and climate change put additional stress on the water resources, karezes have been re- discovered as a sustainable source of water in rural areas of Kurdistan. After nine months of project implementation, IOM will have completed the restoration of 15 karezes in the Governorate of Sulaymaniyah thus providing easier access to drinking and irrigation water to 256 families and to 50 hectares of cultivated land in 10 villages. The project has even trained younger workers in the art of karez restoration, therefore bringing back to life this very ancient profession. IOM is now seeking additional funding to continue the rehabilitation of karezes in Iraq. In-doing so it aims to help drought-induced migration which has already contributed to the existing trend of rural-urban migration in Iraq. However this is one of many problems including conflict, poverty and other socio-economic factors that contribute to migration. IOM works closely with local authorities to monitor population displacement, whilst conducting needs assessments to identify water-related issues. Location of Kareze in Sulaymaniyah No. Karez Name Village District 1 Halima Kuer Khurdaluki Saru Dukan 2 Kani Jinan 1 Qarachatan Dukan 3 Kani Jinan 2 Qarachatan Dukan 4 Kani Piawan Qarachatan Dukan 1 5 Sharbazher 5 Twa suran Goradem/ Bawzan 2 6 15 4 6 Qulamanga Gankawa Sharbazher 3 7 Kani Jinan Qarazel Sulaymaniyah 7 9 11 13 10 8 Lara Hargena Sulaymaniyah 12 8 9 Hanachnar Sewsenan Sulaymaniyah 14 10 Wlaumlay Khuaru Sewsenan Sulaymaniyah 11 Sherdara Jafaran Sulaymaniyah 12 Gurbaz Jafaran Sulaymaniyah 13 Sarpaty Jafaran Sulaymaniyah 14 Dekon Jalila Halabja 15 Nawde Taramar Nawarast Sulaymaniyah http://www.iomiraq.net 5 A new era of displacement for Iraqi Christians October-December 2010 A new era of displacement for Iraqi Christians A new era of Christian displacement has begun in Iraq with thousands of families fleeing their homes in fear. Despite the overall security situation in Iraq improving, the exodus highlights the ongoing problem of forced migration. This new passage of violence signifies, for many, the end of faith in Iraq. This wave was sparked by an attack on the Sayidat al-Najat church in Baghdad on October 31 that culminated in the death of over 50 people. Since then, Christian families have left their homes in droves. The daily threats and uncertainty have proved too much for these people, who in a panicked rush have left their homes with little more than the clothes on their back. The majority of the families originate from the cities of Baghdad and Mosul and have fled to areas where they feel safer. Often this has been to the northern governorates, which are considered safe havens for religious minorities fleeing violence elsewhere in the country. These people now wait in hope that security situation will stabilize. Throughout the months of November and December 2010, IOM sent its monitoring teams to the villages where these families were taking refuge to assess their situation and identify their needs. In response to these assessments, IOM has made eight successful distributions of essential non-food items to displaced families in northern Iraq. Thus far, IOM has assisted 470 displaced Christian families, whilst continuing to provide emergency assistance to other vulnerable communities. Each distribution included essential relief items, such as: mattresses, blankets, pillows, carpets, kerosene heaters, gas stoves and hygiene kits (supplied by UNICEF). UNHCR assisted with the logistics of all operations, and also provided jerry cans and plastic sheets. Furthermore, deliveries were coordinated with local authorities, including the Governorate Emergency Cell (GEC) and the Bureau of Migration and Displacement (BMD). Funding for IOM Iraq’s emergency operations is provided by the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). http://www.iomiraq.net 6 IDP Monitoring Workshop and Migration Support October-December 2010 Monitoring Team Workshop From October 17 to 21, the IOM Monitoring Team held an internal capacity building workshop to introduce Iraqi field monitors and team leaders to evolving monitoring needs and methodologies. During the five days, 50 monitors and team leaders were given training on various tools and concepts to approach monitoring from a community-based level, in order to address the needs of vulnerable Iraqi families as a whole and not just IDP and returnee families. IOM's monitoring team will move away from broad IDP accessments and focus more on specific issues (i.e. a large number of households headed by women, a high incidence of special needs among family members, families without access to work, families who lack adequate food, shelter, water and basic needs) who will be given priority in receiving assistance. As a result, the most needy families will benefit from IOM's support regardless of their categorization. Funding for this workshop was provided by the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). It is always important to hear the stories of those satisfied with IOM staff and its services, Mr. Ali who have returned to Iraq. Mr. Ali (not real name) wanted to note the cost of travelling to Europe is a returnee from Sweden. He travelled to Europe can easily cost around 17,000 USD, a debt which in January 2007 to avoid the daily threats to his can impact the individual’s ability to reintegrate life. into their local communities upon return. Upon arriving to Sweden, he looked forward to a Although thankful to IOM assistance, Mr. Ali better life. Despite his best efforts he uncovered suggests that IOM resources only affect a small few options and struggled with the language and part of the incredibly large financial and social A Returnees StoryA Returnees to obtain residency. Realizing how difficult it was burdens that returnees typically face. to successfully integrate into Swedish society, Mr. Ali decided to return home. Reuniting with his family was the highlight of returning home. Arriving in Baghdad, Mr. Ali decided to contact IOM for reintegration cash assistance for immediate support. He later decided to return to IOM and apply for an in-kind Movement and Assisted Migration and Assisted Movement grant, which supported him in reopening and even expanding his hairdresser shop. Despite recieving generous support from the Government of Sweden, Ali's story highlights the enormous financial burden of migration. Whilst http://www.iomiraq.net 7 Programme for Human Security and Stabilization October-December 2010 It was no surprise that best friends Ali AL-Jubouri and Mohammed AL-Hussainy* would one day open up a business together. It was only natural that after university, Ali and Mohammed would open their own shop, The Photo Studio in Baghdad. Mohammed said “in the beginning, we produced only black and white photos and video tapes.” A Protrait of Success A Protrait In order to keep up with the pace of modern film and photography the two decided to apply to the Programme for Human Security and Stabilization (PHSS) for a joint grant.