NEEDS:
- The conflict has resulted in the disruption of the public distribution system upon which large numbers of people in Iraq depend.
- The crisis has impacted the May/June cereal harvest and post-harvest activities in key production areas such as Ninewa and Salah Al-Din governorates, which account for nearly a third of Iraq's wheat production and about 38 per cent of its barley.
- Large buildups of displaced people continue at check points (especially the Khazir check point between Mosul and Erbil); many have to wait in the sun for between 1-3 days and are in need of food.
- IDPs in transit are in need of ready to eat meals, while those in more stable environments are in need of dry family rations. However, the lack of fuel and cooking equipment remain a challenge in most places where IDPs are present.
- Host communities receiving IDPs are in need of food assistance support as their coping mechanisms are being depleted.
RESPONSE:
- The Food Security Cluster (FSC) has reached 219,853 affected individuals since June, according to 4Ws data updated on 21 July. Beneficiaries were reached with various forms of food assistance such as monthly food rations (65.1kg parcels), small food parcels, meals, etc.
- FSC partners provided 1,300 immediate response rations to IDPs at transit centres in various locations.
- The FSC response in the last one week includes addressing the key food needs of the minority displaced from Mosul who mostly went to Al Hamadaniyah, Tilkaif and Ankawa in Erbil. FSC partners responded to the rapidly emerging needs. Response also took place critical areas such as Sinjar and Wassit. These figures will be updated in the next round of 4Ws due on 28 July.
- Partners are now present Anbar, Babylon, Baghdad, Basrah, Dahuk, Diyala, Erbil, Ninewa, Najaf, Salah al Din, Sulimaniyah, Kerbala, Thiu-Qar and Wassit. However, due to access problems partners are not operational currently in some of these governorates especially Anbar. The presence map will assist in determining further the response coverage and gaps.
GAPS AND CONSTRAINTS:
- Inaccessibility to conflict areas in order to reach IDPs and the transient nature of IDPs who are on the move.
- Resumption of food distribution in Anbar remains a challenge and efforts are ongoing.
- Small groups of IDPs who have not received aid are being identified and so food items (IRR and food parcels) will be pre-positioned in various hot spots to address the food needs of such populations.