Overview. Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

Transcription

1 March 29,

2 Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font. Overview Humanitarian Situation: Continued concern about attacks on soft targets, security, sabotage, lethal exchanges between coalition troops and Iraqis, crime, and lack of infrastructure food distribution OK; Political: France and Germany may press for a 50% reduction in Iraqi debt to creditor nations Iraqi debt is estimated to be approximately US$120 billion; A grassroots campaign organized by followers of Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani is circulating leaflets and petitions against the interim constitution; UN: A UN team of technical experts meeting with Iraqi leaders this week to advise on holding elections, conducting a census, and assembling a caretaker government, cites security as vital for elections; A second UN delegation headed by UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is scheduled to arrive later this week; UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan fires security chief Tun Myat after report cites security flaws leading to bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003; Refugees: Based on estimates from a refugee processing center in Basrah in the South, 1,500 Iraqi refugees returning unassisted from Iran per week number may double in coming weeks; Estimates of unassisted returnees from Iran range from US authority estimates of 50,000, to 70,000 estimated by Iran, to 122,000 estimated by Iraq Ministry of Trade; Coalition closing all but three Iran-Iraq border crossings; Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) estimates between 650,000 and 900,000 IDPs in Iraq 300,000 IDPs are in homes, most do not stem from recent war and most are in the North; Definition of IDP is very broad; 2001 study by UN HABITAT had found 40% had substandard water, sanitation, electricity, drainage, and road access; Civil Society/Rule of Law: Demonstrators protest in Baghdad after US officials impose a 60-day ban on the Al-Hawza Al-Natiqa, a weekly newspaper published by supporters of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, for inciting violence against US forces; Civil Military Interaction: Aid workers raise concerns about coalition government s increasing reliance on private security firms some fear that aid agencies neutrality and trust may be undermined; US military says rebel attacks likely to increase as June 30 handover approaches; Some 350 Iraqi police have been killed in the past year as attacks against coalition, those seen as working with the coalition, and soft targets continue; Humanitarian Access to Iraq: Approximately 85 aid agencies are currently working in Iraq, but rising attacks on civilians and possibility of increasing violence in lead-up to June 30 handover prompt agencies to discuss exit strategies; More than 200 new local non-governmental organizations (NGO) have emerged and will likely take on a greater role in rebuilding Iraq as international agencies decrease activities due to security situation; Plan to register all aid groups, proposed in January, is now delayed until May; Economy/Oil: The World Bank projects a sharp economic rebound in 2004 with growth anywhere from 30% to 70% and an economy worth US$17 billion to US$22 billion; Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman Assam Jihad says daily oil production in Iraq currently averages the pre-war level of 2.2 million barrels a day says oil exports total 1.7 million barrels daily with goal of pre-war 2 million barrels soon ; Water/power: Iraq has more electricity than pre-war period, which is now distributed countrywide rather than centered in Baghdad; 4,000 megawatts of electricity being generated Electricity Minister Ayham al- Samarrai says country plans 7,500 MW capability by mid-2004; Over 1 million cubic meters per day of 2

3 untreated sewage from Baghdad end up in Tigris River system coalition plans to treat 800,000 cubic meters by 2005; : Coalition handed food contracting and distribution back to the World Program (WFP) until return of sovereignty in June while it prepares Iraqis in the Ministry of Trade to take over the program; Coalition building up Iraqi auditing and monitoring capability; Backlog of food brought in by WFP through November distributed; Health and Medical: Control of the Health Ministry was officially handed over to Iraqis, but US officials will continue to oversee US$793 million in funds allocated to health care; Three-quarters of Iraqis reported to have access to adequate health care; Seventy percent of children fully immunized; 240 hospitals and 1,200 primary care clinics employ over 100,000 health care workers. Reports of paying for services and shortages continue. Routes for Humanitarian Aid Country Supply Routes Supply Routes Comments From: To: Turkey Iskenderun (port) Mersin (port) Silopi North Open for humanitarian supplies Bandar Imam Khomeni (Port) Iran Ahwaz South Open for humanitarian supplies Kermanshah Northeast Open for humanitarian supplies Iraq Shipping Open for humanitarian supplies; South, Central Umm Qasr (port) High charges limit use Kuwait Kuwait City (port) South, Central Open for humanitarian supplies; Also military use Jordan Aqaba (port) Ar Ruwayshid Central Open for humanitarian supplies Latakia (port) Abu Kamal Central Syria Tartus (port) Beirut, Lebanon (port) Central Open for humanitarian supplies Al Tanf Al Yarubiyeh North Open for humanitarian supplies 3

4 In Country Humanitarian Assistance Information By Region North Region Erbil, Dahuk, Sulaymaniyah Coordination UN Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UNOHCI) is aware of 36 NGOs in northern Iraq. Population Population of Erbil: 839,000 Population of Sulaymaniyah: 662,600 Population of Dahuk: 817,000 IDP Movement According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are approximately 42,000 IDPs living in Dahuk Governorate, 5,000 of which are living under the care of UN agencies approximately 175 Kurdish families are living just east of Mosul, and another 700 families are living in Zamar. The World Program (WFP) handed over responsibility for food distributions to Kurdish authorities on November 21, programs that are not terminated will be passed on to Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) under UN Security Council Resolution Health Non- Items US NGO Mission East is helping to rebuild 20 villages in Sheikhan district southeast Shelter of Dahuk; Swedish NGO Qandil is currently working to build homes in Erbil; Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is hoping to build 30,000 more homes in the next 5 years; Other NGOs working on housing in Erbil are Counterpart and Help Age International. Water & Sanitation Security Feb Swedish NGO Qandil is helping to build a dam.62 miles (1 km) northwest of Sulaymaniyah. Under construction since July 2003, the dam is set to be completed by May Mar US-based NGO Concern4Kids (C4K) is assisting local residents to generate income from honey production. Mar Coordination Population IDP Movement Health Kirkuk (Attamin), Mosul (Ninewa), Tikrit (Salahaddin) Population of Mosul: 1.7 million Population of Kirkuk: 755,700 Population of Tikrit: 28,000 UNHCR is funding projects to assist some 2,500 newly displaced Arabs who have gathered in the Hawija area west of Kirkuk; About 300 Kurdish families have been staying outside the Kirkuk football stadium awaiting housing from authorities. The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is continuing distribution of food and hygiene items to residents in Mosul identified by local partner organizations as being most vulnerable. Mar USAID is providing assistance to disability centers for approximately 8,000 disabled persons in Mosul. Mar The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is continuing rehabilitation work on 4

5 Non- Items Shelter Water & Sanitation Security health care centers in Mosul. Mar With funding from UK-based Department for International Development (DFID), UNICEF is working on emergency water and environment sanitation projects to supply potable water to schools and affected households in Salahaddin. Two foreign security contractors, one British and one Canadian, were killed in Mosul when their convoy came under attack on Sunday (March 28). Nasreen Barwari, Iraq s interim public works minister, escaped an assassination attempt in Mosul on Sunday (March 28), which killed four of her bodyguards. UK-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG) reports that it has removed more than one million mines and items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Kirkuk, Mosul, Kifri, located 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Kirkuk, and Erbil governorate. Mar Central/West Regions Al Anbar, Diyala, Karbala, Babil, Wasit, Najaf, Qadissiya Coordination Population Population of Al-Anbar: 1,230,169 Population of Diyala: 1,271,000 Population of Karbala (city) : 572,300 Population of Babil: 1,385,783 Population of Wasit: 913,386 Population of Najaf: 929,995 Population of Qadissiya: 886,594 IDP Movement US-based NGO Save the Children has completed registration of IDPs in Najaf, where 2,157 IDPs have been identified; International Medical Corps, Mercy Corps, and CARE are working on projects that serve the IDP population in Diyala. Health USAID is helping to rehabilitate Al Andalous Primary Healthcare Clinic in Ramadi (Al Anbar) to serve people a day from a community of nearly 30,000; On February 17, USAID opened one primary healthcare training center in Najaf will train primary healthcare providers in March and April 04. Feb Non- Items Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) airlifted humanitarian supplies and goods Shelter into Iraq on its second flight under the Iraq reconstruction mission, the Defense Agency reported. Water & Sanitation Mar-4-04 The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is planning a water pipes project in Najaf to start end-march Mar USAID reports that rehabilitation of the Najaf municipal water treatment plant is underway and will be completed by June 2004; Rehabilitation of the Diwaniyah (Qadissiya) and Karbala sewage treatment plants, which serve 200,000 residents, is also underway and is expected to be completed by May 2004 and October 2004 respectively; Rehabilitation of the Najaf and Hillah (Babil) sewage treatment plants is underway and is expected to be completed by December 2004 and April 2004 respectively. 5

6 Security Mar With funding from UK-based Department for International Development (DFID), UNICEF is working on emergency water and environment sanitation projects to supply potable water to schools and affected households in the governorates of Diyala and Karbala. Mar One US soldier was killed on Monday (March 29) when a bomb exploded near a US convoy traveling about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Fallujah. Baghdad Coordination Population IDP Movement Health Non- Items Shelter Water & Sanitation Security Baghdad Population: 5.8 million France-based NGO Premiere Urgence has reported on 7,000 IDPs in Baghdad; UNHCR has registered more than 8,200 Palestinian refugees in Baghdad who no longer receive support from authorities; About 700 families of Roma origin are reportedly living in a former Baghdad orphanage. The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is continuing distribution of food and hygiene items to residents in Baghdad identified by local partner organizations as being most vulnerable. Mar Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and UNICEF have established pilot youth house in Al Maghrib, Baghdad serving children daily; US-based NGO, Mercy House, is operating a home for over 50 orphans and runaways in Baghdad. USAID is re-equipping a health center in Baghdad s Taji district, which will provide basic care, lab testing, and dental care to 5,000 local residents and conduct community health awareness campaigns. Mar USAID reports that rehabilitation of Baghdad s Sharkh Dijlah water plant is underway and will add an additional 225,000 cubic meters (59,440,000 gallons) per day by May 2004; Rehabilitation of 3 sewage treatment plants in Baghdad is underway and will benefit 3.8 million residents by October Mar Hundreds of demonstrators protested in Baghdad on Sunday (March 28) after US officials imposed a 60-day ban on the Al-Hawza Al-Natiqu weekly, a Shiite newspaper, for allegedly inciting violence against US forces. The US coalition is giving Baghdad US$10 million for beautification projects in Baghdad s nine municipalities. Mar The Baghdad Unemployment Center located beside the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs opened on January 29, This office is the first official establishment allowing Iraqis the opportunity to seek employment. The ministry is planning to open two more offices by March 2004 in other locations in the city. Feb USAID has helped to install independent sources of power at Baghdad Airport and Umm Qasr seaport ; Work continues on rehabilitation of Doura power plant in Baghdad. Feb

7 South Region Basrah Coordination Umm Qasr, Basrah Population IDP Movement Health Non- Items Shelter Water & Sanitation Security Population of Basrah: 1.5 million US-based NGO Save the Children has completed registration of IDPs in Basrah, where 5,300 IDPs have been identified. USAID has helped to install independent sources of power at Baghdad airport and Umm Qasr seaport offloading cargo from more than 40 ships per month; 200,000 tons of grain unloaded since mid-november 03. Feb Iraq engineers and laborers working for Denmark-based NGO DanChurchAid (DCA) have reopened all 74 health centers in Basra province. Feb UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) is partly funding improvements to Basrah s main water treatment and distribution plant, with the aim of doubling the plant s operating efficiency by summer Mar Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is continuing work on implementing water purification plants to provide drinking water to 20,000 people in Basrah. Mar Five Iraqi militiamen were injured when British troops clashed with a group of demonstrators after trying to evict a militant Shiite group from a government building in Basrah on Monday (March 29). All UN operations in Basrah have been suspended until further notice; International staff curfew is in place from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am; All UN international staff and UN Joint Logistics Center in Basrah have been relocated to Kuwait; The International Red Cross has decided to close its Basrah office temporarily due to the security situation. UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) is funding a series of projects in Basrah governorate, valued at over US$10 million, to provide a reliable power supply to four towns in the governorate. Mar Preparations are underway to restore commercial operations at Al Basrah International Airport. Mar Al Muthanna, Dhi Qar, Maysan, Coordination The United Nations Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UNOHCI) is aware of 22 NGOs operating in southern Iraq. Population Population Dhi Qar: 1,454,200 IDP Movement 7

8 Health Non- Items Shelter Water & Sanitation Security Medical equipment, including infant incubators, phototherapy units for incubators, and electrocardiographs provided by grant assistance for Japanese NGO projects to the Samawa Maternity and Children's Hospital, 168 miles (270 km) south of Baghdad, arrived in Iraq on March 3. The hospital is the only children's and maternity hospital in Al-Muthanna Governorate in southern Iraq (260 beds). Mar With funding from the USAID Iraq Community Interaction Program, Mercy Corps is assisting 10,000 Marsh Arabs of Abu Khassaf and other nearby villages, who were displaced by the draining of the marsh wetlands under Saddam Hussein, to revitalize their communities. Mar

9 Neighboring Countries Humanitarian Activities/Preparations Jordan The Government of Jordan has stated that borders with Iraq are open for the flow of goods. The Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center (HACC-West) has advised that it needs 24-hour advance notice of vehicle movement into Iraq from Jordan. Travel on this route in the short-term may be dangerous due to the threat of hijacking while on the road. At the Al-Ruwayshid Refugee Camp, managed by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), there are more than 400 refugees. The Jordanian government has agreed to keep this camp open until the end of April 04. Most refugees are Palestinians who previously lived in Iraq, as well as some Sudanese and Somali refugees. Another estimated 1,200 refugees, most of them Iranian Kurds, remain in a nearby Al-Karama Refugee Camp, about 38 miles (60 km) away in "no man's land" between the Iraq and Jordanian border. Medical care and other assistance are being provided in Al-Ruwayshid by various agencies on the ground. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is responsible for solid waste and sanitation facilities in the Ruwayshid and Al-Karama camp under an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Following talks with Jordan s King Abdullah II, UNHCR s Ruud Lubbers said that Jordan will not pressure the approximately 200,000 Iraqi refugees living in Jordan to return to Iraq. In addition, a limited number of Iraqis would be allowed to stay long-term, particularly those married to Jordanians. Iran The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) announced on March 15, 2004, that it will limit the number of ports of entry on Iran s borders to three. Arriving visitors to Iraq will need to present a passport, complete an entry form, and will be entered into an immigration monitoring system. Based on registrations at a refugee transit center in Basrah, up to 1,500 Iraqi refugees are returning to Iraq per week. The Iraqi Ministry of Trade estimates 122,000 Iraqi refugees, out of a total of about 202,000 living in Iran last year, have returned to nine southern governorates in Iraq. Iran, however, estimates 70,000 refugees previously settled in Iran have returned to Iraq. UNHCR says it still does not encourage large-scale returns at this time, nor does it promote voluntary returns. However, UNHCR is facilitating, in coordination with host governments and upon clearance by the CPA, the return of individuals who wish to return to Iraq. Turkey UNHCR has scaled down its operations along the border between Turkey and Iraq in order to focus on relief efforts already underway in Iraq. Turkey has said it would continue assistance to Iraqi refugees who fled Iraq prior the recent war and who now wish to return to Iraq. UNHCR said it could facilitate such repatriations, but could not guarantee the returnees safety upon return and thus would not encourage them to do so. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is also scaling down their operations in Silopi, but said it would be ready to assist in the repatriation of Iraqis. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) officials announced in January that Iraqi, Turkish, and UNHCR officials have agreed on the modalities of voluntary return of up to 13,000 Turkish 9

10 citizens (ethnic Kurds) to Turkey from Iraq who have lived in exile in Iraq since the early 1990s. An estimated 9,200 of these refugees are living in Mahmour Camp, near Erbil, while others are living in Dahuk and Erbil governorates. Under the agreement reached at the Turkish capital, Ankara, Iraqi authorities will ensure that the return is voluntary and that the refugees are not subjected to pressure. The accord stipulates that UNHCR will have full and unhindered access to the refugees both on Iraqi territory and once they have gone back to Turkey. Turkish authorities are to ensure that the refugees who volunteer to go back to Turkey are free to return to their former places of residence or any other places of their choice within Turkey. Kuwait The Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) in Kuwait requests a maximum of 96 hours to issue a clearance to agencies to carry out cross-border operations. Humanitarian flights are exempt of all landing and parking fees. The Government of Kuwait has issued a statement that it must be notified 24 hours in advance to issue approved legal passes. UN staff wishing to travel to Iraq through Kuwait need security clearance and must complete a Kuwaiti immigration form. The immigration form, in addition to a copy of a mission plan, must be given to the transportation office by 1600 hours one day prior to the mission. Due to the security situation in Iraq, international staff members of UN agencies operating in southern Iraq have been relocated to Kuwait, as have international staff members from several international organizations, including International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Medical Corps (IMC), and Mercy Corps. Syria The Government of Syria has granted UN agencies and International Organization for Migration (IOM) a number of exemptions for fees, taxes and levees related to the import/export of humanitarian transit cargo to Iraq. New border crossing procedures are improving cross border movements. Saudi Arabia The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GoKSA) has issued a blanket authorization for overflight and landing for an unspecified period of time. These clearances apply to flights between Kuwait and Amman. All but 500 refugees have left Saudi Arabia s Rafha camp out of the original 33,000 in The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that it had assisted a total of about 4,500 Iraqi refugees from Saudi Arabia as of March 9,