Iraq Appeal No. 01.55/2002 Programme Update No. 1

Appeal Target CHF 6.739.884
Period covered: 01.02 - 30.06.02
"At a Glance"

Appeal coverage: 65.5%
Related Appeals: MENA regional programmes 01.93/2003
Outstanding needs: CHF 2,322,723

Update: The Federation has continued its long-term engagement in support of the Iraqi Red Crescent's work with vulnerable people. Progress has been maintained and national society capactiy to be more effective in community and programme development is steadily growing. Donors are requested to support the Federation's 2003 programme in Iraq.

Operational Developments:

The humanitarian situation throughout 2002 was difficult. One major cause was the difficulty in importing medicine. Cooperation and coordination between the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Federation and ICRC continued to be good. Liaison on operations was ongoing.

Disaster Response

January-June 2002, the International Federation continued its support to the IRCS in reaching the most vulnerable groups of the population through a number of relief and rehabilitation projects. The following activities took place:

Rehabilitation of Primary Health Care Centers

Since the middle of 2000 the International Federation, in cooperation with the IRCS, has rehabilitated 34 primary health care centres (PHC). In addition to physical rehabilitation of the PHCs, basic medical supplies were provided to 72 PHC. The International Federation is the biggest international organisation working on the rehabilitation of PHC centres. Rehabilitation was supplemented by the support and development of health activities, including health education (mother and child care), polio eradication and measles control campaigns and training of PHC centres' staff..

The main objectives defined in 2002 Federation's Appeal were "to rehabilitate the physical structure of 33 PHCs; physical renovation, construction (when needed to meet Ministry of Health (MoH) criteria e.g. a lab at each PHC), electricity, painting, roofing and water system. To furnish PHCs with basic medical equipment to train PHC staff at the centres. Finally to disseminate health messages through the PHC centers".

In January 2002, 11 PHC centers have been identified and were in the process of rehabilitation by June 2002: ten centers - with the support of the Netherlands Red Cross and one of the American Red Cross. In May 2002 the Iranian Red Crescent announced that it would allocate funding for rehabilitation of three other PHC centres. Completion of these PHC centres' rehabilitation was planned before the end of 2002.

Rehabilitation of another six PHC centres has been planned as part of an integrated programme aimed at the simultaneous improvement of water/sanitation and health services. Support to this new approach was negotiated with ECHO.

Relief support to the most vulnerable in Iraq

Eight years of war followed by 12 years of sanctions have caused a severe socioeconomic hardships for the majority of the population in Iraq, and especially for those living in the rural areas

The main International Federation's objective in 2002 in this area was "to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable population in the three Northern and Southern govenerates". The total number of 8.500 beneficiary families living in Dohouk, Erbil, Sulaimanyah, Basrah, Amara and Nasirya governorates were planned to be supported through this project. The distribution would have included the most needed items such as blankets, kerosene heaters and stoves and hygiene items. Provision of safe drinking water by connecting the sites with public water network and with proper sewage drainage were considered to be a priority either.

This programme was not yet supported during the first half of 2002, however a proposal for funding was submitted to ECHO with rather optimistic expectations. The IRCS staff and volunteers have substantial experience in identifying the beneficiaries, handling and distributing relief items. Adequate experience was gained through ten years of cooperation between the IRCS and the International Federation in the implementation of the country-wide relief programmes.

Rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure

Rapid deterioration of the water and sanitation infrastructure both in the cities and rural areas of Iraq causes a severe threat to the general health status of the population. Though UN Security Council Resolution 986 (oil-for-food-programme) has provided some improvement to the general health situation, there is a long way to go to meet the most essential needs of the population Failure to maintain rapidly deteriorating water and sanitation systems (due to lack of spare parts and cash), has been causing a severe shortage of drinking water and constituting direct threat to the health status of the majority of Iraqis, especially children

Among one of its main objectives for 2002 the International Federation defined "to decrease the number of diarrhoea and other water borne diseases among children and other vulnerable groups, by providing potable and clean water, improve hygiene and health situation by proper handling of sewage to reduce (children) contact with unsafe water"

Support to the integrated programme, which included rehabilitation of the water treatment plants (WTR), was considered by ECHO. Implementation was to start after a special assessment of the water treatment plants in a number of rural areas of Iraq was undertaken by the International Federation in May-June 2002. The results of this assessment served a basis for the concrete plan of action which was submitted for funding to ECHO.

Disaster Preparedness

In 1992 the Government of Iraq established "The High Committee to Assist Victims of Disasters". This Committee has been in charge of Disaster Preparedness and Response throughout Iraq. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society was appointed by the Government to be a lead agency and coordinator of this Committee.

Other members of the committee are representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Affairs, Directorate of Electricity. Water & Sewerage Authority, Ministry of Trade, Civil Defense.

The Disaster Preparedness Program of the Iraqi Red Crescent aims at preparing for the following potential disasters: oil pollution (Basra and Baghdad), drought (Basra, Nina and Baghdad), earthquake (Gerbil and Nina), continuous sanctions (Basra, Nina, Gerbil and Baghdad regions), ad hoc disasters and war (preparedness activities for the war situation will be coordinated by the CIRCA and have been discussed during the first six months of 2002).

The International Federation's role consists of supporting the "physical buildup of infrastructure capable of dealing with any of the potential disasters, improvement of the IRCS management and logistical capacity, training of 900 disaster preoaredness (DP) volunteers..."

Within the limits of the material resources mobilized by the International Federation at the end of 2001 and beginning of 2002 the following results have been achieved

• Four logistics centers and warehouses have been renovated: each center is covering one of the regions of Iraq: Basra - the Southern govenerates, Baghdad - the Central governerates, Mosul - the Northern governerates and Erbil - the North-eastern governerates.
  
  
• The warehouses received support stocks, which were purchased locally. These stocks consist of blankets, stoves, heaters, cooking sets, jerry cans, kerosene lamps, towels and soap.
  
  
• 470 uniforms were designed and purchased. 120 units were distributed to the DP volunteers, the rest were kept at stock until more volunteers would be trained. 600 back sacks were made: each sack contained torch, working gloves, multi purpose knives etc. 120 distributed to the DP volunteers.
  
  
• Tool kits were provided to the 18 branches: they contained shovels, scissors, hammer, rope, small tool kits etc.
  
  
• Mobile first aid stations which are normally attending religious or sports events were provided with special health kits, which were designed and assembled locally. The kits included medical equipment, medicines and can be used in a conflict situation.. They also contain tent, bed, 4 chairs, 1 table, first aid materials, stretchers and oxygen bottles.
  
  
• Eight DP courses were carried out in the four governerates. Each course trained fifteen volunteers who previously passed the CBFA course. The lectures were focused on Disaster Preparedness, management of emergency situations, the role of a volunteers in disaster response, cooperation with Civil Defense and other relevant authorities, communication, etc. Altogether 20 IRCS staff members and 120 volunteers were trained through these courses.
  
  
• Short-term workshops have been organised to enhance knowledge of staff an volunteers in disaster management, planning of the disaster response, training of trainers, logistics and warehouse management.
  
  
• Dissemination activities included 160 lectures which were attended by 5763 staff and volunteers.

Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA)

VCA in Iraq started in November 2001. Experience gained from the comprehensive VCA study in Palestine was partially used. However its implementation was temporarily suspended at the beginning of the year due to security considerations. Finally a concrete Plan of Action was agreed in May 2002. All branch directors, senior IRCS HQ managers, the Federation and the CIRCA staff participated in a three days training workshop. This project had a particular importance: it supported the development of the Society's overall preparedness capacities including skills for the establishment of the contingency plans in cases of conflict situations and other emergencies. The VCA was expected to be completed by the end of September 2002.

The above achievements have been possible due to significant support from the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian Red Cross.

The above preparedness activities were tested by a number of real emergencies. In late April the area around Kut was severely hit by floods and strong winds. 55 families (approximately 250 people) were affected by this disaster. The IRCS supported the victims with non food relief goods immediately after the disaster thanks to the availability of the preparedness stocks.

Two weeks later the area around Nasirya (western suburbs) was hit by heavy rain for the first time the last 10 years. 356 families (approximately 3.200 people) had to leave temporarily their homes. The IRCS had its emergency teams on the spot within 24 hours after the disaster. Relief goods from the Center in Basrah were provided. A number of consultations took place between the IRCS, the ICRC and the Federation to discuss contingency planning for the potential conflict situation.

Health and Care

The IRCS plays a complementary role in the health sector, and focuses on community based health and wellbeing, The Society has a unique, in the Iraqi context, country wide network covering all 18 branches and it has proved its significant role as an auxiliary to the MoH.

Community Based First Aid (CBFA)

CBFA, Health & Nutrition Dissemination (H&NID) and Branch development projects have been implemented in Iraq with the Federation's support since 1997. Their implementation continued at the beginning of 2002 with the support from the Swedish and the Norwegian Red Cross Societies and governments. A thorough evaluation of the CBFA programme was made during this period and its findings will play an important role in further development of this programme.

2002 Appeal objectives define "Improving the infrastructure of the CBFA and H&NID project, herewith improving the status of health amongst the most vulnerable groups. Training volunteers in all branches preparing them for assistance within health activities such as health dissemination to the people and polio and measles vaccination campaigns, finally to strengthen branch capacity and ownership through micro projects"

• Through the extension of the 2001 programme until 31.03.2002 360 volunteers have been trained at the CBFA (in total 720 in the 2001 programme) training courses and 450 volunteers have got additional training as trainers.
  
  
• 15 disseminators in each branch conducted 30 H&NID lectures in PHCs, schools, mosques etc. In total 1620 lectures (in total 2984 in the 2001 programme) were organised. On average each lecture was attended by 30 participants. The lectures were devoted to nutrition, diarhoea, water and sanitation, hygiene and breast feeding.
  
  
• 674 volunteers (524 in the monitoring and 150 as vaccinators) took part in the two rounds of polio eradication campaign The campaigns, which have been coordinated by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and joined by UNICEF and WHO, substantially enhanced the role of the IRCS in the health sector (Special reports on the role of the IRCS is the implementation of polio vaccination campaigns are available on request).
  
  
• 176 volunteers took part in the first measles control campaign. The participation of the IRCS in this campaign, which was coordinated by the MoH in co-operation with UNICEF and WHO, was supported by the American RC.
  
  
• In 2001 MoH initiated a country wide programme to reduce the risk of breast cancer in Iraq. Early detection of breast cancer through self-examination is an important part of this programme. Thanks to the well-functioning volunteer network, positive experience with the H&NID dissemination and the results achieved in the polio and measles vaccination campaigns, IRCS was invited to be involved dissemination of self-examination knowledge. Female volunteers in all branches are trained in this area of knowledge.

War Victims Assistance Programme

A project to assist in the social rehabilitation of handicapped, including the land mine victims, was initiated by the IRCS in May 2000. The project has as its aim to activate and re-socialise the victims of land mines through offering to them an appropriate vocational training, developing skills in income generation, attracting them to participate in the IRCS activities through training them in CBFA.

The project, once well established, could become a model for further Society's development work. Main achievements in January-June 2002 were the following:

• Architectural designs and bills of quantities for the construction of two vocational training centres in Basrah and Sulaymaniya were established.
  
  
• Two CBFA courses have been conducted, one in each branch (Suleimanya and Basrah).
  
  
• The discussions focused on the "soft" package of the programme resulting in the comprehensive understanding of the final aim of the programme.

Implementation of this project experienced certain delays because of the following.

• The initial plan had not been thoroughly thought over and justified
  
  
• The IRCS/Federation discussions of a Project Agreement took more time than expected
  
  
• The construction plan of the centres was revised several times.
  
  
• Planning stage required coordination with relevant UN agencies.

In spite of the above difficulties the German RC (including its branch in Bavaria, which agreed support the establishment of the Project Centre in Sulaymaniya) and the Norwegian RC reaffirmed their commitment to support this important program.

Polio Eradication Campaigns

Polio was again detected in January 2000 in Iraq. In November 2000 Ministry of Health (MoH) requested the IRCS to be responsible for the monitoring of the vaccination campaign and to provide an independent evaluation report of the results. In the first round of the 2000 campaign (November) IRCS performed the monitoring in Baghdad, in the second round (January 2001) the monitoring was expanded to cover four governorates: Baghdad, Basrah, Ninevah and Suleimaniya Since the 2001 spring campaign IRCS was responsible for monitoring the polio vaccination campaign in all governorates of Iraq. Two campaigns (each campaign including two rounds) are run every year - the last one in April and May 2002. These campaigns are planned to continue until 2004 providing no new polio cases in the meantime.

In addition to MoH and WHO, the IRCS and the International Federation co-operated closely with UNICEF. Through the distribution of leaflets and broadcasting the special TV-spots several times the nights before and during the campaign the IRCS and the Federation have become visible to the people of Iraq.

One of the main 2002 Appeal objectives was "to contribute in eradication of polio from the country through monitoring and dissemination by the IRCS branches in cooperation with the MoH, WHO and Unicef following the global Appeal launched in late 2000 by the Federation and WHO". The following were the main achievements in relation to this objective:

674 volunteers took part in the polio eradication campaign in April/May 2002: 524 volunteers participated in the monitoring (378 monitors, 48 supervisors-doctors, 76 supervisors, 4 team leaders-doctors, and 18 coordinators who were responsible for all training activities in the branches. The coordinators were trained at the Federation headquarters by IRCS medical staff. 150 volunteers participated in the MoH vaccination teams).

• In each campaign the monitors found villages in rural areas not covered by the vaccination teams. In the last round (May) 10 such villages were found in Dohuk governorate. The independent monitoring of high risk areas was crucial to reach the overall MoH/WHO goal to eradicate polio in Iraq.
  
  
• The overall evaluation by all partners concluded that the volunteers were highly motivated and the quality of their work was professional.
  
  
• It was planned that further planning and management of the polio eradication programme would be handed over to the IRCS. In addition to fundraising The International Federation will retain fundraising and general monitor role.

Measles Immunization Campaign

The programme is not a part of the 2002 Appeal. However, in January 2002 the MoH and WHO requested the IRCS to participate, in cooperation with the Federation, in the first measles immunization campaign. Due to the absence of the required sufficient resources the IRCS and the International Federation decided to limit their involvement to exclusively monitoring function. The agreement between the partners was for the Federation to financially support the campaign all over the country except the three Northern governerates which were supported by WHO. Main achievements were:

• The campaign took place - from March 8 to 25.
  
  
• 239 IRCS volunteers took part (168 monitors, 42 supervisors-doctors, 11 supervisors and 18 coordinators) who were responsible for all training in the branches. All coordinators were trained by IRCS medical staff in Baghdad.

From second half of 2002 the project implementation was to be handed over to the IRCS. The measles control campaign was financially supported by the American RC.

Promotion of Humanitarian Values and Fundamental principles of the Movement

The International Federation is in a unique position to promote the Red Cross/Red Crescent fundamental principles through its mandate and action. Activities in this area have been closely coordinated with the ICRC.

During the last couple of years promotion of fundamental principles has been incorporated into each operational activity which means promotion, visibility etc. By the use of leaflets, posters, reports and through a more focused use of the media the IRCS and the Federation reached more people than before

The following activities illustrate achievements in this area.

• Contacts with embassies and government structures have been carried out in systematic way
  
  
• Transmission of the TV spots during polio and measles campaigns have been regular.
  
  
• Evaluation of the CBFA programme took place May-June 2002 included evaluation of the Iraqi Red Crescent capacity to promote fundamental principles.
  
  
• Cooperation with the ICRC included promotion of the fundamental principles.
  
  
• The International Federation's monthly "Al-Ittihad" was used both by the IRCS and by the Federation to disseminate the knowledge about the Red Cross/Red Crescent activities in the region.
  
  
• A "draft" newsletter has been prepared by the Iraq Delegation. The newsletter is expected to be released on a quarterly basis as of third quarter of year 2002
  
  
• Facilitation of US Congress members visit to Iraq.

Organisational Development

One of the objectives in the International Federation's Appeal for 2002 is "to increase the governance, leadership and management capacities of the IRCS including the establishment of an organisational platform, followed by the establishment of core group departments and hand over between the Federation and the IRCS"

• The whole programme continues building up branch capacity with due account to sustainability.
  
  
• The IRCS continued strategic planning process, the basis for which was laid down at the first workshop in Baghdad on May 14 - 16 2001.
  
  
• The IRCS aims at completing second generation cooperation agreement strategies (CAS) in the second half of year 2002.
  
  
• The IRCS and the Federation Delegation agreed on the importance of further support from the Regional Delegation DP delegate who is as well involved in organisational development (OD). The RD DP delegate made significant impact in relation to the DP/DR (now disaster management, DM) planning workshop (VCA -see the DP chapter).
  
  
• The establishment of a new DM department started in May 2002 as a follow up to the DM workshop.
  
  
• The establishment of a health department at the IRCS headquarters started in the beginning of January 2002.
  
  
• Financial training of IRCS headquarters and branch employees took place in April-May 2002.

Regional Cooperation

The IRCS leadership met with representatives of other national societies in Amman during the Disaster Preparedness conference in April-May 2002. Discussions between the Iranian RC and the IRCS on co-operation in the implementation of HIV-AIDS projects were planned to take place during summer 2002.

Several visits from the Federation's Regional Delegation in Amman has secured streamlining in relation to the IRCS programme in general.

Coordination and Management

The Federation's Delegation has been operating in line with the objectives outlined in the Federation's Strategy. 2010. "The Federation delegation's main objective has been to initiate, develop and support the capacity building of the IRCS, through a variety of activities reflecting Strategy 2010 which meets the need for support to the most vulnerable, and to promote the participation of support from partners within and outside the Movement, coordination with the ICRC, national and international NGOs"

• Weekly meetings with the IRCS took place to discuss the Society's five year strategic plan.
  
  
• Working meetings between the IRCS, Federation and the ICRC Delegations took place regularly, in particularly since April 2002
  
  
• Support in relation to assessment, planning and response to the two natural disasters in Kut and Nasirya took place in March and April
  
  
• Assessment, planning and preparing implementation of a new water and sanitation programme took place in April-May. IRCS-Federation employees were supported by specialists from Geneva
  
  
• The HIV-AIDS programme was discussed between the IRCS, Federation delegations, a draft developed by the IRCS in May
  
  
• The Delegation has been facilitating IRCS visits to Norway, Switzerland and Jordan in order for the IRCS to discuss with relevant partners their strategy and their programmes
  
  
• NS visits to Iraq has been facilitated (German RC twice) in order to discuss future support
  
  
• ECHO visits to the IRCS has been facilitated twice
  
  
• IRCS employees have participating in and passed BTC in Germany and in Jordan
  
  
• IRCS employees have participating in and passed the DP workshop in Damascus
  
  
• Federation employees participated in the DP training workshops in Amman and Italy
  
  
• Facilitation of meetings and field visits from the Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish embassies.
  
  
• Federation employees participated in several meetings and workshops(Amman and Geneva HoD meeting, Amman OD workshop, Libya HIV-AIDS meeting, Thailand OD workshop).

Regular co-operation and coordination between the ICRC and the Federation provided improved prospects for the future. In particularly in relation to DM and conflict preparedness, followed by contingency planning, this needs to be continued.

For further details please contact: Evgeni Parfenov, Phone : 41 22 730 4251; Fax: 41 22 733 03 95; email: parfenov@ifrc.org .

All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org.

John Horekens
Director
Division of External Relations

Ali Said Ali
Head
MENA Department

Annex 1