Attachments
Summary
The intensification of military operations in the summer of 2016 has been accompanied by an escalating humanitarian crisis. Iraq currently hosts roughly 3 million IDPs of which the vast majority are from Anbar, Ninewa and Salah al-Din governorates. Displacement since October has further intensified following military operations on Mosul city and surrounding areas which has displaced 103,872 people.
In parallel, an increasing number of IDPs have returned to areas which were recently retaken from AGs, in particular Ramadi, Falluja and Heet cities. As of December 2016, 1.27 million IDPs are estimated to have returned to their areas of origin, of which more than 50% came since April 2016 primarily to Anbar (39%), Salah al-Din (29%), Ninewa and Diyala Governorates (each 14%). In the assessed areas, IDPs first began to return to Muqdadiya and Tikrit cities at the end of 2015. Following military operations in Anbar, IDPs from Heet and Ramadi began to return in April 2016 followed by returnees to Falluja in September 2016. Overall there is a general preference amongst IDPs to return to their area of origin, where they often own property and assets. However many choose not to return yet due to significant protection concerns and challenges with regards to access to basic services within these areas of return.
In line with findings from the REACH April 2016 assessment, needs remain highest in recently retaken areas which experienced high infrastructural damage such as Falluja and Ramadi. However areas where IDPs have been returning for over a year now, such as Tikrit and Muqdadiya, have seen significant improvements in terms of access to basic services and the reconstruction of basic infrastructure. As show in table 1, a cross-cutting concern across the assessed areas is a lack of sufficient livelihoods which in turn inhibits access to basic services, and adequate food security.
Across the assessed areas, returnees and IDPs who had exhausted their financial means during previous displacement were consistently among the most vulnerable and heavily reliant on the assistance of family, friends and NGOs.
Key findings from assessed areas include the following:
• Livelihoods: Income generating opportunities across assessed areas have been severely affected by the disruption of local enterprises which previously employed the local population, as well as an inability to farm due to a lack of resources to cultivate the land and mine pollution. Overall, the most stable sources of income are government employment and pension salaries. As a result, civilians not employed or supported by the government are largely reliant on daily work which is generally not reliable or sufficient to meet family day-to-day needs. To substitute a lack of revenue residents go into debt, borrow money from friends and relatives, or rely on aid from wealthier residents or charities. Income generating opportunities was most severe in villages north of Muqdadiya city.
• Healthcare: Despite significant reported damage to infrastructure during the conflict, access to healthcare has improved since the last REACH data collection in April 2016 thanks to ongoing reconstruction and the return of medical staff. Access to healthcare was more problematic in the Anbar governorate and Muqdadiya villages, where there was a general lack of equipment, medication, and access to specialized healthcare. In Tikrit and Muqdadiya city, the primary reported challenge was the lack of financial means of civilians to afford specialized medication and healthcare when this cannot be accessed through public hospitals.
• Shelter and damage: Shelter and damage concerns differ between areas which have been more recently retaken from AGs and areas which have had longer to recover and reconstruct the city. Shelter and damage is most severe in Ramadi and Falluja where widespread damage and continued perceived presence of mines has hindered access to adequate shelter. As a result of a lack of adequate shelter, overcrowding with more than 3 to 4 families in one houses, and high rent prices were reported. Despite some reconstruction, shelter concerns also remain in Tikrit City especially with regards to significant overcrowding due to the large population size currently in Tikrit – KIs estimated that due to the presence of IDPs, 110% of the pre-AG population is currently living in the City. IDPs, and returnees whose shelter has been damaged were the most vulnerable population groups having to rely on rented shelter or shelter with friends and family.
• Food Security: As trade routes have been restored, the price of food has reduced and the availability of food has increased compared to April 2016, especially in the Anbar governorate, leading to an overall increase in food security. However, across the assessed areas, the lack of income generating opportunities has hindered families ability to afford adequate food. As a result of a lack of cash, financially vulnerable families often resort to borrowing money from friends and families and eating food of lesser quality with a minority reporting to skip meals.
• WASH: Across the assessed cities, civilians reportedly have access to piped water. However, water is generally not perceived to be safe for drinking, leading to people relying heavily on water filters and chlorine tablets. The exception are villages north of Muqdadiya city, which have no access to piped water and rely on well water - though this is generally perceived to be safe for drinking. Tikrit, Ramadi, and Heet reported more than 20 hour access to piped water while Falluja and Muqdadiya city reportedly have 2 to 4 hours of water every day as the water station alternates between different neighbourhood. The majority of the assessed areas reported instances of diarrhea especially amongst children after drinking water which had not been filtered. As a result those that have the financial means to do so either buy bottled water or other treatment options such as filters and chlorine tablets.
• Education: Across assessed areas, access to education has significantly improved as schools have reverted back to the Government of Iraq curriculum and teachers have returned. Ramadi and Falluja reported overcrowded schools due to damaged school buildings and across the assessed areas a lack of sufficient school books was reported. While access to education has improved, many children have gone more than two years without education and will be in need of tailored education facilities aimed at covering the gap in their education in comparison to other children their age in Iraq.