Capital: Kerbala
Districts: Ain Al Tamur, Al Hindya, Kerbala
Total post-Feb. 22 IDPs as of reporting date: 1,968 families
Total IDP and IDP returnee pre-Feb. 22: 1,328 families
POST-FEBRUARY 22 EMERGENCY IDP MONITOR I NG AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS: BACKGROUND
An alarming increase in displacement due to heightened tensions after the bombing of the Askariya shrine in Samarra on February 22, 2006 brought to light the need for comprehensive, thorough monitoring and assessments of the recently-displaced populations. IOM has been assessing IDPs displaced since February 22 in the central and southern 15 governorates in Iraq.
The monitors use IDP Rapid Assessment Templates for both IDP groups and individual IDP families. The IDP Rapid Assessment Template addresses a number of issues and needs, including food, health care, water and sanitation, documentation, and property; in addition, the templates outline the IDPs' future intentions. Monitors visit IDP tribal and community leaders, local NGOs, local government bodies, and individual IDP families to gather information and complete the templates. Once the information is gathered, it is then entered into a database for analysis.
After the information from the templates is collected and analyzed, IOM returns to the governorates to gather additional information from the field. This additional information provides a more in-depth look at the situation and issues surrounding displacement in each governorate.
With this information, IOM is developing Governorate Needs Assessments for the 15 central and southern governorates in Iraq. These Governorate Needs Assessments will assist IOM and other agencies to prioritize areas of operation, plan emergency responses, and design long-term, durable solutions programs.
POST-FEBRUARY 22 IDP OVERVIEW
Background
Kerbala city, the capital of Kerbala, is one of the two holiest cities in Iraq (the other being Najaf), home to the revered shrines to Shia's spiritual founding fathers Ali bin Abi Taleb and his son Hussein. It is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Baghdad. Since the collapse of the former regime, Kerbala is the focus of substantial numbers of religious pilgrims.
Kerbala is a governorate of contrasts in terms of agriculture. It rests near Razaza Lake around which there are many farms producing vegetables for market. But outside these areas, well water is required to permit agricultural endeavors. In these areas the well water is saline and farming is marginal. Lake Razaza is a good source of fish for the local population. Despite the fact that Kerbala had been essentially closed to outsiders for many years, it is recognized as a place of tolerance and peace. This is perhaps one reason why many IDPs have gravitated towards the area in recent years.
However, according to reports, as of November 11 the local authorities in Kerbala issued a statement that they will no longer accept any IDPs who do not have relatives to stay with or cannot afford rent, due to a severe strain on the local resources and services, especially schools and health facilities. Local authorities have been stopping IDPs at check-points and refusing them entry unless they meet specific criteria. The IDP must have family to live with in Kerbala or can afford to pay for their own housing in Kerbala. IDPs also must have documentation from the local police, from the local council and from a sponsor within Kerbala. Since IDPs must obtain these documents from within Kerbala and are denied access until they obtain them, IDPs must rely on friends or family to obtain the necessary documentation. Hundreds of IDPs whose destination was Kerbala are now going to neighbouring governorates instead, such as Najaf.
Almost all information reflected in this report was obtained before the decision by local authorities in Kerbala. However, the decision is not affecting those IDPs who were already in Kerbala (i.e. IOM has not identified an exodus of IDPs who were already in Kerbala), and so the information in this report remains relevant.
The following information provides an overview of the current situation, highlights needs, and suggested areas of intervention relating to the recently-displaced IDPs in Kerbala. Information was gathered from a variety of sources, namely IDP representatives, the IDP host community, local authorities, the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) Branch Offices, religious leaders, partner NGOs and other NGOs working in these areas. IDP monitors coordinated especially with religious entities in Kerbala, as they have a strong presence and are active in assisting the IDPs.
Despite increasing insecurity and instability throughout Iraq, IOM strives to stay abreast with updated and accurate information. Displacement is ongoing, however, and displacement information changes on a daily basis.
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