Iraq IDP Crisis Situation Report No. 9 (23 - 29 August 2014) [EN/AR/KU]

Highlights

• Over 1.8 million people are estimated to be displaced, countrywide.

• Providing adequate shelter for IDPs remains a key concern and a priority need throughout the country, as IDPs continue to be in the open, occupy unfinished buildings, schools, mosques and churches.

• Some 52 cargo flights have arrived in Erbil in the past weeks, delivering an estimated 5,400 metric tonnes of humanitarian supplies.

• Increased morbidity of communicable diseases related to limited access to water and sanitation.

Situation Overview

The fluid and dynamic nature of the conflict makes it difficult to monitor and track mass and multiple displacements across the country, which often occur in a short timeframes. This week the United Nations updated its IDP planning figure for Iraq to 1.8 million across the country. Of this 1.8 million, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the UN estimate that 850,000 IDPs have arrived to the region this year, the vast majority in the last 11 weeks. The KRG, with support of humanitarian partners, continues provide assistance to the IDPs, but the needs are enormous. The UN and international partners are scaling up efforts as quickly as possible. However, the fact that IDPs are scattered across an extensive number of locations creates considerable challenges for an effective response.

In the last week, renewed fighting in the central governorates has triggered further displacement. Over 10,000 families are reported to have arrived in Khanaqin (Diyala), fleeing ongoing conflict throughout the governorate. Air strikes near Tikrit (Salah Al-Din) have also caused additional displacement within the governorate. Hundreds of families are reported to be moving to the south of the country, especially to Basrah.

Fighting and air strikes near the town of Amerli (Salah al-Din) have intensified. Some 35 villages surrounding Amerli are under total control of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Reports about the number of people still trapped as the town which has been under siege by ISIL for 82 days (as of 28 August) varies enormously, and it is currently estimated that 10-14,000 civilians may be in need of immediate support. The Government of Iraq has conducted an estimated 25 helicopter landings into Amerli to provide food as well as weapons and to extract a limited number of people, mostly children and the elderly. There are indications that water and medical care availability are major issues.

Adequate shelter remains a key concern and a priority need throughout the country, as IDPs continue to occupy unfinished buildings, schools, mosques and churches, or are living in the open. As of 27 August, four camps are open (one in Erbil, three in Dahuk), sheltering nearly 20,000 people. In Diyala, four camp sites have been identified but will only have the capacity to host approximately 30 per cent of the IDP population in the governorate. Alternative shelter options are urgently being considered. Over 2,000 schools are still occupied by IDPs throughout the country and it is expected that the beginning of school year will be delayed as additional shelter options have yet to be identified.

In an effort to support the KRG, shelter cluster partners held a workshop this week to ensure a more accurate and coordinated planning for the emergency phase as well as set the bases for a transitional shelter response. The one-day event saw the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Construction and Housing, the Ministry of Planning, the Erbil Refugee Council (ERC), and the Development and Modification Centre (DMC). The shelter cluster and KRG are prioritizing families living in schools (est 140,000) and others in mosques, abandoned buildings, other type of shelters including informal settlements and planned camps for shelter and 'ancillary services' interventions, which will need to be concluded before the onset of the winter. Some 26 sites for camps have been identified in the three northern governorates, with a total absorption capacity of approximately 240,000 individuals. The current resources available are insufficient to complete these camps, and some of the pledges made are yet to become firm commitments. Alternative solutions, including use of the private sector, civil protection mechanisms, and possibly even military engineering units are being contemplated as options to immediately enhance response capacity.