OFFICE OF THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR IRAQ HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT NUMBER 19 8 April 2003

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1 OFFICE OF THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR IRAQ HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT NUMBER 19 8 April HIGHLIGHTS On 6 April UNOPS carried out a survey, which identified 266,018 new IDPs in the three northern governorates. Some 89% are staying in host families, just under 10% in public buildings and around 1% in the open. The survey data will be published today in the HIC website ( WFP continued food distribution in the three northern governorates. Families confirmed that their remaining household food stocks would last between 15 to 25 days. The situation in Baghdad is unpredictable, due to military activities. Hospitals are being stretched to their limits, and personnel are facing increasing difficulties to come to work. ICRC continues to provide hospitals with medical supplies, water and generators maintenance. ICRC continues also to deliver water to areas of Baghdad through water tankering. On 6 April, a UNICEF team returned to Umm Qasr to assess water provision capacity and water quality, while a WFP mission continued working on port facilities and interviews with a group of food agents. UNICEF provided medical supplies and continued water tankering. Community leaders claimed that there are approximately 1,500 persons in Umm Qasr with ration cards from elsewhere, primarily from Basrah. According to the HOC, there are no significant numbers of IDPs in areas controlled by the Coalition. The UNSECOORD FSCO in Kuwait has advised humanitarian organisations not to make use of the Thuraya satellite phones, as the satellite signal may be located and misinterpreted by fighting forces and draw fire. In Jordan, severe winds destroyed camps infrastructures. No casualties were reported. In Syria, IOM staff at the Abu Kamal border crossing temporarily withdrew to Deir el Zor yesterday, after evacuating six third country nationals and an Iraqi refugee, following bombardments close to the border. 2 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN IRAQ 2.1 TABLE OF ASSISTANCE FOOD Item Quantities delivered Cumulative totals Location Wheat flour Northern Iraq Dried Milk Northern Iraq Remarks WFP. For distribution in the three northern governorates WFP 1

2 2.2 AFFECTED POPULATIONS Third Country Nationals (as of 7 Aril - IOM) Location In transit Departed Camp population Remarks Jordan Ruwayshed Kamra Syria Tanf Damascus Al Bukamal Yarubiya DTC Iran Khoshravi TOTALS 1,632 1, IDPs (as of 6 April UNOPS survey) No of IDP No of IDP in Families Public No of IDP with Host Families No of IDP in Open Air Size of IDP Population Buildings Sulaymaniyah Erbil Dahuk TOTAL OPERATIONAL ISSUES Following UNICEF advocacy, coalition forces have removed infant formula from the planned distribution package. Use of infant formula undermines breastfeeding, and in a situation where water is scarce or of poor quality, consumption of infant formula would lead to an increase in diarrhoea episodes. The international independent medical aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced today it still has no news about two volunteers who disappeared Wednesday April 2 in Baghdad. NORTH (Erbil, Dahuk, Sulaymaniyah) In Sulaymaniyah and Erbil the security situation is relatively stable. In Dahuk, heavy air raids and ground attacks by coalition forces and retaliatory shelling by the GOI forces continue. In Sulaymaniyah, most of the villages previously controlled by the Ansar-al-Islam forces, particularly Kharpany, Khargelan, Zardahal, Sargat and the road leading to Hawraman area are considered unsafe because of mines and unexploded ordnances. On 6 April UNOPS carried out a survey the new caseload of IDPs in 428 locations throughout the three northern governorates. Results show that out of 266,018 IDPs identified, 188,924 (71%) are in Dahuk, 50,036 (19%) in Erbil, and 27,058 (10%) in Sulaymaniyah. Throughout the three governorates some 89% of the new IDPs are currently staying in host families, just under 10% in public buildings and around 1% in the open. As security is deteriorating in Dahuk, the number of new IDP is increasing whereas in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah the numbers are decreasing. The study details the priority needs of the IDP to enable necessary planning and action on assistance. The survey data will be published today in the HIC website ( 2

3 The fuel situation in the three northern governorates is satisfactory except in Dahuk. WHO confirmed that there have been 8 cases of measles in Kanipanka (7 children). The catch up vaccination campaign is ongoing. WFP continued food distribution in the three northern governorates. On 7 April, a total of 213MT were delivered to wheat flour agents in Dahuk governorate, covering about 23,000 beneficiaries in Amadia, Zawita, Sarsink and Mangesh area. This brings the cumulative dispatch of newly arrived wheat flour to about 430 MT. WFP started also distributing food from remaining in-country stocks to IDPs in Bazyan camp, 30 km south-west of Sulaymaniyah. Around 3.4 MT of rice, vegetable oil and sugar were distributed to 47 IDP families (274 individuals). On 8 April WFP started assisting another 76 IDP families (428 individuals) with food commodities. Families in Erbil confirmed to WFP that their remaining household food stocks would last between 15 to 25 days. The Old Iraqi Dinar remains buoyant. It is currently valued at US$1=4.5-5 OID. The currency has appreciated 40% since the war began. Dahuk - Power supply from Mosul to Dahuk governorate was interrupted on 3 April, and now electricity is supplied by the 29 MW plant. The local authorities are exploring alternative sources of fuel to run the plant. Water supply is affected by power shortages. In Chamanke IDP settlement, the number of IDPs has increased from 354 to around 500 families. UNOPS is continuing with the provision of potable water to IDP throughout Dahuk governorate. Erbil A UN mission visited the Delizian (Soran) and Ashkawtawan (Mergasur) IDP camps. Shelter, sanitation, relief items and food stocks are satisfactory. UNOPS erected the first ten tents at Koysenjaq tent camp. Another group of 48 Iraqi surrendered soldiers were settled in Ashkawtawan camp, bringing the total population of the camp to 243 persons. UNOPS has provided this group with tents, items and kerosene. Sulaymaniyah - A UNOPS team visited Hawraman in Sulaymaniyah to assess the area bombarded by the US air force during the conflict between PUK and Ansar al- Islam. Around 85 houses had been destroyed while the remaining houses were partially damaged. The water network and the sewerage have also been affected by the bombardment. The immediate needs for these people are relief items and food. UNDP has provided a generator for the area. Around 10 families have returned from Aghjalar to Chamchamal. According to the Aghjalar local authorities, many families are now returning to their places of origin. Similarly, in Koysenjaq and Sharbazher areas, a sizeable number of IDP have also returned home. CENTRAL (Ninewa, Tameem, Salah al-din) BAGHDAD (Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala) Baghdad Due to failing telecommunication, ICRC has received a number of requests from Iraqis to allow the use of their phone to the public. Electricity supply is limited, but hospitals are hooked to emergency feeder lines, and have power at least few hours per day. Hospitals are being stretched to their limits, and personnel are 3

4 facing increasing difficulties to come to work. ICRC continues to provide hospitals with medical supplies, water and generators maintenance. ICRC continues to deliver water to areas of Baghdad through water tankering. Water and sanitation facilities are operating at minimum capacities owing to the absence of operators and because of intermittent power supply. ICRC carried out repairs at Hay Akad complex, which was restarted after a 3-day interruption, to the benefit of 30,000 residents of Rashad area. UPPER SOUTH (Najaf, Qadissiya, Wassit, Babil, Kerbala) LOWER SOUTH (Basrah, Missan, Muthanna, Thi-Qar) Basrah UNICEF contracted a private company for water tankering in Safwan, Zubayr and Um Khalil. On 6 April, a UNICEF team returned to Umm Qasr to assess water provision capacity and water quality, while a WFP mission continued working on port facilities and interviews with a group of food agents. UNICEF provided medical supplies. Community leaders claimed that there are approximately 1,500 persons in Umm Qasr with ration cards from elsewhere, primarily from Basrah. According to the HOC, there are no significant numbers of IDPs in areas controlled by the coalition. IOM reported that 45 IDP families from Basrah are occupying the UNIKOM building in Umm Qasr. Registration for this group is planned on 8 April. The ICRC reported that their operation is intermittently interrupted due to safety concerns. The first round of visits to POWs has been completed. Thi-Qar The HOC reported that the coalition had distributed health kits to the local hospitals in Nassriyah. The coalition reports that people gradually are returning to their places of work. Muthanna - In Samawah, the coalition has started distributing water and rice recovered from stocks previously controlled by paramilitary groups. 3 SECURITY UPDATE Looting continues in Umm Qasr and Basrah, including the port. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq is pursuing the matter with the coalition forces. There have been calls for Jihad in Lebanon asking for terrorist action against American and British installations. The coalition has banned the use of Thuraya telephones for embedded journalists. The UNSECOORD FSCO in Kuwait has advised humanitarian organisations not to make use of the Thuraya satellite phones, as the satellite signal may be located and misinterpreted by fighting forces and draw fire. 4 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES 4.1 IRAN The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a meeting with humanitarian agencies and donors, to discuss cross-border operations. GoI confirmed that UN and NGO personnel, carrying a valid entry visa, have complete freedom of movement within 4

5 Iran (except for military zones at border areas) and that Iran will do its utmost to cooperate in regards to cross-border access. MFA also announced that GoI accepted the request of the UN to open an office to deal with the implementation of SCR 1472 (OFFP). Security an anti-war student demonstration took place outside the UN building in Tehran, demanding UN s action to stop the war. 4.2 JORDAN Severe winds destroyed three Rubb-Halls (two at the TCN and one at the Refugee camp) and a number of tents. No casualties were reported though some children were being treated for respiratory problems. The water and electricity systems are functioning. A detailed assessment is now under way. 4.3 KUWAIT Cross-border operations - GoK has issued advice by which All IOs must follow all procedure necessary to get Humanitarian Aid in to Iraq. GoK must be notified 24 hors in advance to issue approved legal passes. Any late request for an immediate leave will be denied, the requesting agency that attempts to violate or go outside these procedures are responsible for consequences of their own actions. 4.4 SAUDI ARABIA 4.5 SYRIA Four Iraqis are currently at Abu Kamal transit centre, which is located 2 km from the border and they will be transported to El Hol by IOM. Security - IOM staff at the Abu Kamal border crossing temporarily withdrew to Deir el Zor yesterday, after evacuating six third country nationals and an Iraqi refugee, following bombardments close to the border. Explosions were also heard at the Al Yarubiya border crossing point yesterday. 4.6 TURKEY Overall humanitarian situation Cross-border operations - According to WFP Turkey, another 40 trucks carrying wheat flour were processed yesterday at the Silopi border crossing pushing the total so far to 78. Another 11 trucks are currently at customs awaiting clearance. The airports of Mardin and Gaziantep will remain closed until 30 April. 8 April