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Iraq

Mosul Weekly Protection Update (29 April - 5 May 2017)

Attachments

HIGHLIGHTS:

This week 359,250 people remain in displacement since the start of the military offensive on 17 October 2016. Displacement to Anbar more than doubled from 564 to 1,212 individuals. Reports of evicion noices persisted in Kirkuk and resumed in Balad. The demilitarizaion of Silo Al-Hajjaj camp, following consistent advocacy by UNHCR and other actors was a very posiive development this week, as it consitutes an important safeguard to the civilians character of the camp and as a result, the unhindered access of humanitarian agencies to civilians.

Displacement trends

Authoriies report that only 7 per cent of Mosul remains under extremist control. With the retaking of Hatra and the advance of the army into north west Mosul, displacement out of west Mosul, Tel Afar and surrounding areas coninues, with simultaneous returns to liberated areas in both east and west Mosul.

This week approximately 7,000 IDPs arrived at Hasansham, Khazer and Chamakor camps, east of Mosul - the highest number of new arrivals since mid-March. New arrivals were from various liberated quarters of west Mosul including 17 Tamooz, Al-Abar, al-Haramat, Mosul Al-Jadeeda, and Badoush. All families transited through Hammam Al-Alil screening site and then proceeded to the IDP camps and host communiies ater security screening for males, including boys over 12 years old. Only 153 individuals from west Mosul arrived at Nargizlia camp, the lowest figure since the commencement of the military offensive. IDPs transiing in Hammam Ali-Alil report that in addiion to the severe insecurity due to the acive conflict in west Mosul, the lack of water and food in retaken areas are the main reason for displacement. Families also reported that in the few instances where chaoic food distribuions take place, female headed household and the extremely vulnerable are unable to access this assistance, forcing many to leave.

Displacement out of east Shirqat and Hawiga is ongoing despite threats, increasing patrols, and restricions imposed by extremist groups determined to keep many civilians within areas under their control. IDPs report that the lack of medical services in Hawiga has reached desperate levels. Six residents, mostly children and the elderly, reportedly died ater being denied access to hospitals which are reserved for extremist group members. Three hundred and sixty people fled east Shirqat while 94 families arrived at Al Alam camp and 22 others arrived in Kirkuk from Hawiga this week. Flight from Hawiga increased as compared to the previous week.