KEY DEVELOPMENTS
UN programmes are beginning to be established
in the south, with access for daily assistance deliveries to Umm Qasr,
Safwan, Umm Kayaal and Zubair. The Umm Qasr port is now partially
operational. Following the UN security assessment in the northern governorates
on 13 April, UN staff are on standby for deployment to the north, as soon
as the necessary clearances are obtained from the coalition, a process
which has proven to be difficult.
Key cities, however, remain out of reach owing to continued looting and disorder. While the situation has improved in Basrah, it is not yet safe for return. The situation in Baghdad is still precarious. A dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed. The killing of an interpreter traveling with NGO workers, the death of an ICRC delegate on 8 April and the abduction of MSF staff as well as journalists (all since released) on 13 April underline the precarious security situation for humanitarian workers in Baghdad. The pattern of looting and disorder was repeated in Kirkuk when it fell to the coalition.
The UN continues to press the coalition on the need to establish law and order.
WHO has stressed the urgent for the coalition to establish a mechanism to pay living allowances to health sector personnel, and for payment of running costs to keep facilities functioning (eg. for fuel purchase to keep generators running). We can expect that this need is wider than the health sector, and unless addressed, could lead to the further breakdown of social services.
Cross border operations are accelerating. The Turkish border has become a key route for delivery of supplies into northern Iraq. Iran and Jordon are likely to assume greater importance as cross-border corridors to the East and the South after small convoys have been successfully completed. Syria has granted facilities to assist with cross border movements from Syria to Iraq. The UN continues to receive very good cooperation from these countries in facilitating cross border convoys.
POPULATION MOVEMENTS
In the north, significant numbers of IDPs are returning to their homes. Work on IDP camps is slowing down or being put on hold in expectation of further returns. The emptying of schools has heralded the resumption of education. Until the security environment enables humanitarian assessments, reports of various population movements throughout the centre and south cannot be verified. An inter-agency team crossing from Iran on 14 April discovered around 2-3,000 IDPs in Badrah, who have indicated they would like to return home in the next week or so..
The numbers of Iraqi soldiers who surrendered in the three northern governorates has increased to 720 They are hosted in Ashkawtawan camp, Erbil.
There have been no significant refugee outflows.
OVERALL HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
It is extremely difficult at this stage to obtain a clear picture of the level of need in key sectors across the country. Information remains sketchy in locations where UN access for complete assessments has not yet been possible.
ASSESSMENTS
Between 2-6 April a joint UN assessment of IDPs was undertaken in the three northern governorates. Of the total population of 266,000, around 89% were staying with host families, many having been displaced in the 1970's and 1980's. Around 10% were in public buildings, mostly schools, and 1% in the open air. The vast majority were in Dahuk (71%), then Erbil (19%) and Sulaymaniyah (10%). After significant returns in recent days, these numbers will have declined significantly. The results of a new assessment are expected in the next few days.
Rapid UN humanitarian assessments have been completed in Umm Qasr, Sarfwan and Zubair, and agencies are now conducting follow up assessments. The key problem in all locations is water supply, with some medical supply needs also identified.
HEALTH
The health system is in crisis in Baghdad. Health facilities have been looted and staff are staying away. Many hospitals and health facilities have closed their doors. A small number of hospitals are still open, with coalition protection, or medical staff and civilians providing protection. In other parts of the country where access has been possible, the situation is varied. The stock situation remains mixed, with some hospitals reporting adequate medicines but others running short. WHO reports that supplies and basic equipment will, anyway, be in need of urgent replenishment - this situation made worse by recent days of looting and disorder. Hospitals in a number of locations were put under further strain by an influx of war wounded. In most locations, a critical need in health facilities is water, and restoring power supplies, and fixing pumping equipment is an ongoing priority where access is possible. The need to establish a mechanism for payment of staff salaries is urgent if a further breakdown in services is to be avoided. There have been no major outbreaks of disease. An increase in measles cases has been contained in the North East. UNICEF has reported an increased incidence of diahorrea in Umm Qasr and Nassryah.
WATER
Reestablishing water supply in the south has been a key priority in the past week. Since 10 April, UNICEF water tankers went to Basrah (24), Umm Qasr (5), Zubair (16), and Safwan (3) and work continues to rehabilitate water provision systems wherever access permits. 20 tankers are now operating in the region on a daily basis. One 10,000-litre capacity water bladder has been set up in the local hospital in Umm Qasr, and four similar water bladders are being set up elsewhere in the city. In Basrah, power and water supplies to the city are partly operational. The coalition forces delivered 125,000 litres of water on 9 April, and plan to continue deliveries.
The water distribution service in the northern governorates is functioning satisfactorily. Power supply has been a concern in Dahuk, as its link to the national grid via Mohsul was disrupted during fighting last week. Repairs on the line are being carried out by local authorities using previously supplied UN materials. Essential needs were being met by a 29MW generation plant.
NFIs
In the north the NFI needs for IDPs are being met by a range of agencies with ongoing programs.
FOOD
WFP began assessing the capacity of the Public Distribution System (PDS) with the intention of starting distributions in May. In Basrah the nine mills used by the system are in good condition, and stocks in one warehouse remain protected by the coalition. All food and flour agents - over 1300 - seem to be in place. Assessments continue in Umm Qasr and Zubair. Since the conflict began, WFP has shipped a total of 4,025 MT of wheat flour into northern Iraq via Turkey and distributions are ongoing in key cities, the first since March. WFP is planning to activate other corridors as security permits. The Government of Syria has agreed to loan WFP an additional 100,000 MT of wheat flour for the Iraq emergency.
CROSS-BORDER
Iran - The Iranian government has given official approval for cross border operations. Both an inter-agency assessment, 15 April and the NGO MDM, 12 April, successfully crossed into Iraq. MDM proceeded to Basrahwith a small shipment of medical supplies. ICRC successfully ran a small convoy from Piranshahr to Erbil on 8 April, and has planned a second convoy for Baghdad.
Jordan - The Amman-Baghdad route is likely to increase in importance but security remains a key concern at this stage.
Turkey - Significant improvements have taken place in the crossing of trucks at the Habur gate border point, auguring well for continued and increased volumes of traffic. The MFA has clarified a set of procedures for UN staff to cross and this functioned well for the UN Security Assessment mission which crossed via the Silopi border, 13 April.
FUEL
The fuel situation remains a concern. Fuel is expected to be available in the North of Iraq in the next 30-60 days, but it may take months for central and southern Iraq supplies to be reestablished from Iraqi oilfields and terminals. In addition to enormous amounts of fuel known to be required for public utilities and hospitals, there is an additional need for 8 million litres per day to support agriculture harvest and milling.
SECURITY/PERSONNEL
The UN will issue ID cards to all national and international staff members, consultants and implementing partners.
Aid organisations have been advised by the coalition to avoid using white vehicles. To distinguish UN vehicles from those used by Iraqi paramilitary and irregular forces, UN vehicles, with the exception of those in the northern governorates, are to be repainted royal blue with distinguishing acronyms painted bright orange.