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Iraq Situation: UNHCR Flash Update - 6 August 2017

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KEY FIGURES

  • 838,950 Internally displaced Iraqis verified as being currently displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas since military operations to retake the city began on 17 October 2016

  • 589,299 IDPs, returnees and members of the host community from Mosul and surrounding areas assisted by UNHCR since 17 October 2016.

  • 267,993 Individuals (55,575 households) impacted by military operations to retake Mosul since October 2016 are currently enrolled in ASSIST, UNHCR’s assistance tracking tool

  • 3.3 million IDPs since January 20142 257,476 Iraqi refugees hosted in countries in the region, and

  • 21,503 Iraqis received in camps in Hassakeh, Syria since 17 October 2016

FUNDING

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

POPULATION MOVEMENTS

New arrivals to camps have been static. Between 2 and 3 August, 207 families arrived at camps south of Mosul, primarily from Hawiga (Kirkuk Governorate) and Shirqat (Salah al-Din Governorate). During the same time period, 172 families arrived at camps east of Mosul, mostly from Mosul. The majority of arrivals had previously stayed with relatives or in rented houses and decided to relocate to the camps due to financial constraints, or had gone home but returned to the camps due to destroyed homes, lack of livelihood opportunities, and high prices for rent and basic needs.

Additionally, 26 families arrived to camps north of Mosul from west Mosul and Tel Afar (Ninewa Governorate). Departures have followed a similar trend over the last week. Between 2 and 3 August, 38 families departed from camps north of Mosul, 332 families left from camps east of Mosul and 50 families from camps south of Mosul. They returned to their homes in Mosul or joined relatives in other locations. The reasons given for their decision to return was the lack of income generating opportunities and extreme heat in the camps.

SITUATION UPDATE

The United Nations’ Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq Lise Grande said Mosul represents “the biggest stabilisation challenge the UN has ever faced - the scale, the complexity, the scope of it.” The UN estimates that the first phase of stabilisation, providing infrastructure, housing, education and a police force will cost at least USD 707 million and that work to rebuild heavily damaged areas could take many years. The UN has called for more international aid to help reconstruct the city.

RESPONSE UPDATE

UNHCR provided assistance to IDPs in camps and urban areas in east and west Mosul. Through a protection partner, UNHCR facilitated the issuance of 21 identity cards through Civil Affairs Offices and four birth certificates through Erbil Maternity Office for IDPs in eastern Mosul camps. UNHCR provided core relief item kits (CRIs) to 313 families who had recently returned to their homes in east Mosul as well as 176 families who had returned to west Mosul. In addition, 78 CRI kits were distributed to IDPs at Al-Shahama and Al-Karama camps, north of Tikrit in Salah al-Din Governorate.

UNHCR supported authorities in coordinating school exams in Qaymawa and Nargizlia camps, north of Mosul. In June and July, UNHCR and camp management in Qaymawa and Nargizlia camps successfully coordinated and facilitated final exams for students in grades 6, 9 and 12. While Grade 12 students had to be transported to a nearby camp, the other grade students were able to take their exams in the camps.

Services drawing down in Qaymawa camp. As preparations get underway to close down Qaymawa camp, service providers have begun to reduce their presence in the camp, and limited services are being offered. The community centre in the camp closed on 3 August, and the protection partner who had been running the centre will now visit the camp twice a week. There are currently less than 200 families in the camp and more than 800 empty plots. Upon closure, remaining families will transfer to Nargizlia camp or to other locations through sponsorship.