Cholera subsides but children remain at risk of water-borne disease
- UNICEF and partners interview over 9,000 families in over 40 acutely vulnerable communities to determine major gaps in essential social services
- The crisis of Christian IDPs in Nineveh has eased but remains volatile
- The emergence of gender-based violence as a threat to children and women in Dohuk and Erbil continues to grow
- Increasing reports of violence in schools are a growing concern for parents
1. ISSUES FOR CHILDREN AND WOMEN
Cholera
The cholera outbreak of 2008 is considered to have subsided as the gradual decrease in new cases has now reduced to zero cases by mid December. Since cholera is endemic in Iraq, however, cases are expected to be reported sporadically, and monitoring of the situation continues. Up to and including week 49 of 2008, a total of 925 cases of cholera were confirmed, the vast majority of those occurring between weeks 33 to 41. 47% of cases were of children below five years of age. There were a total of 11 deaths (representing a fatality rate of less than 1.2%), 36% of which were children under five.
General
UNICEF humanitarian assessments completed in the reporting period have highlighted the alarming reality of life in Iraq's most neglected communities. In locations visited in Babil, Qadissiyah and Basra, only 31% of households report reliable access to safe drinking water. In those same communities, less than 35% of all surveyed households have functional and sanitary means of excreta disposal, and approximately 60% of families are consistently using safe hygiene practices in the home.
While violence in the family in Iraq goes mostly unreported, existing evidence shows that violence against women and girls is widespread, with 21.2% of women reporting experiencing physical violence in the home. Information on missing and/or separated children, which includes the issue of recruitment of children by extremist groups, is now beginning to trickle in, but remains very challenging to capture.
In the most deprived communities visited in Anbar, Babil and Basra, up to 52% of children under five had experienced a diarrhoeal episode in the two weeks prior to being surveyed, and in neglected pockets of Baghdad, Kerbala and Tamim, as few as 18% of children aged 12-23 months have been adequately immunized against measles. And while figures are still being verified, indications are that the nutritional status of children is equally troubling in these same communities.
Lastly, in communities assessed in Anbar, Babil and Basra, less than 60% of children aged 6-11 have regularly attended school in the past two school months. In Baghdad, Nineveh and Tamim, the figure drops to below 30%, an alarming decline. Moreover, the gap between boys and girls in enrolment and attendance remain significant at all levels. In many of these governorates, over 30% of primary schools are operating two or more shifts per day.
Specific
In locations assessed in Basra, the issue of reliable access to safe drinking water remains of paramount importance to many families. In the sub-district of Shatt al-Arab, a serious shortage of teaching and learning materials was reported by local education authorities.
The most alarming issue emerging from communities assessed in southern governorates is the sense of growing violence against children at school, both by teachers and other students. This issue may indicate a manifestation of the psychological effects of prolonged conflict on children and their duty bearers, as well as a possible increase of acceptance of violence in the home. Ways to address this issue more comprehensively, than is possible through existing programming, are being explored.
In Nineveh, following the displacement of nearly 15,000 people following violence and threats against the Christian population in Mosul, continued access to education and health services, and protection against violence, were the priority issues for children. The most affected parts of Mosul are still largely out of bounds for humanitarian workers, though UNICEF and partners are able to monitor and report on the status of community resources and basic services. The largest issue facing children is the ongoing violence in Mosul and the lack of basic services in outlying areas.
In Baghdad, vulnerabilities of children in the sub-district of Mada'in Qatha Center are found to be acute following the departure of extremists from the area. All basic services were neglected or damaged during the three-year occupation. For example, approximately 5,500 children in this location do not have reliable access to clean water. While some families report treating their water to make it safe, many do nothing to improve it. At least two schools are known to have suffered significant damage during fighting, one being 60% destroyed, with local education authorities having no option but to continue their use. Thankfully, the area is now relatively secure, and children are now able to resume outdoor recreational activities. The one hospital serving the zone is operating but reports a shortage of supplies, and the only PHC operating is in a poor state.
Still in Baghdad, an assessment conducted in That al-Salasil revealed a mixed picture, with some basic services functioning fairly well and others needing more serious attention. One school in particular is severely overcrowded, with only six classrooms serving over 1,000 students over two shifts. Protection issues remain unclear as access to visit existing facilities was denied to the assessment team, suggesting that there is an opportunity for greater advocacy efforts in that location. The PHC serving this area does not have an effective or safe method of solid waste disposal and is prone to flooding even in light rain.
Families in assessed parts of Anbar remain acutely vulnerable due to lack of access to safe water and sanitation and a lack of child protection services. This was highlighted by the recent cholera outbreak, which impacted children in Anbar quite heavily.
In Tameem, as reported by a national NGO partner, Briar primary school in Arab Koyi village, Daquq district, was destroyed by burning by unknown persons in late November. While only 82 students are directly affected, this is a worrying indicator that targeting of schools by extremist groups is continuing.
As IDPs move back to their places of origin in Diyala, a number of schools have become overcrowded and there is a need for supplementary items such as desks and blackboards. In addition, IDP and returnee students are in need of stationary and text books as they have not been registered with the Directorate of Education (DoE) in order to receive the standard supplies distributed by the school. The UNICEF partner is undertaking assessments of schools in affected locations to better understand the extent of the issue.
In Sulaymaniyah, reports from national NGO partners indicate there may be an increase in child labor, with informal observations in Garmiyan area of greater numbers of children working on the streets and in the markets as vendors. This has the dual effect of placing children at risk of exposure to further exploitation, and damages future opportunities for development as these children are not attending school. Also in Sulimaniyah, the conditions for Arab families who arrived from Baquba and Baghdad two years ago have grown increasingly dire with the winter season. While local organizations are providing some support, vulnerabilities of these families persist. Lastly, local residents and civil society organizations report that drug abuse and addiction among youth is increasing, with the current services available being insufficient to provide proper treatment for drug addiction. Ways that UNICEF and partners can provide support on these issues will be explored in Q1 2009.