ReliefWeb

KEY FIGURES

206,502 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Mosul and surrounding areas since military operations to retake the city began on 17 October 2016(1)

24,252 core relief item (CRIs) kits distributed to families in camps, assisting some 129,000 IDPs from Mosul and surrounding areas

7,167 family plots currently occupied out of 14,781 family plots (for some 88,000 people) in UNHCR built camps ready to receive IDPs displaced from the Mosul corridor.

3 million IDPs since January 2014(2)

250,952 Iraqi refugees hosted by neighbouring countries in the region, and 13,768 Iraqis received in Al Hol camp in Syria since 17 October 2016

(1) IOM-DTM Emergency Tracking since 17 October 2016.
(2) IOM-DTM as of 16 February 2017.

FUNDING

USD 578 million requested for IDPs and Iraqi refugees in the region in 2017.

POPULATION MOVEMENTS

Displacement from west Mosul accelerates. Over 50,000 persons have reportedly been displaced since the beginning of operations in west Mosul which were launched on 19 February. Displacement accelerated with nearly 4,000 individuals fleeing the city each day in the last days. IDPs report undergoing several rounds of screening before reaching Hammam Al-Alil, 25 km south of Mosul, where they undergo a last security clearance. Authorities have been giving the newly displaced the option of staying in Hammam Al-Alil camp, staying with a relative or sponsor in the same area, or to proceed to camps east of Mosul where more space is available, namely Khazer M1, Hasansham M2, and Hasansham U3.

SITUATION UPDATE

ISF continue to make advances in west Mosul city and retaken Wadi Hajar, the third neighbourhood since the beginning of the operations. Clashes are reportedly ongoing in four adjacent neighbourhoods while several other neighbourhoods have been targeted by sustained airstrikes.

Insecurity remains the principal cause of displacement from Mosul. Newly displaced families from east and west Mosul told UNHCR of armed groups attacking areas recently retaken by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), causing a sustained number of civilian casualties. Displaced families cited this high level of insecurity as the main reason why they fled their neighbourhoods, along with the lack of access to affordable food, drinkable water and medical services.

UNHCR RESPONSE UPDATE

UNHCR is accelerating construction on a reception centre in Hammam Al-Alil. The reception centre will provide newly displaced families with access to humanitarian assistance immediately upon arrival in Hammam Al-Alil, and before and after undergoing security clearance procedures. Four large tented halls are ready to immediately receive families who might stay onsite overnight. UNHCR released 4,000 blankets and is preparing the site for a total of 19 tented halls to shelter up to 4,000 IDPs. In addition, ten WASH facilities were completed by a local NGO on 3 March.

UNHCR continues to support the government in providing essential assistance to large numbers of IDPs who are fleeing west Mosul. Between 2 and 4 March, 7,400 IDPs (1,235 families) arrived in Hammam Al-Alil 1 camp. The camp, which was built by the government about 25 km south of west Mosul, opened on 27 February and currently shelters about 21,400 IDPs (3,845 families). UNHCR prepositioned 4,500 CRI kits in Hammam Al-Alil and distribution is ongoing to cover all families settled in the camp. Between 2 and 5 March, a further 11,000 IDPs arrived in Hammam Al-Alil from west Mosul and authorities transferred them to Khazer and Hasansham camps east of Mosul, where registration is ongoing. All IDPs have received CRIs, a tent, water and a hot meal upon arrival.

UNHCR to open Chamakor camp, east of Mosul. Given the current pace of arrivals, UNHCR, started to pitch tents in Chamakor camp. The camp, located in the vicinity of Khazer camp, was completed by UNHCR earlier this year and is ready to receive about 14,000 IDPs (up to 2,400 families). Partners have mobilised and UNHCR has prepositioned enough CRIs to cover the immediate needs of 800 families.