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Iraq

Iraq situation response: Update on revised activities under the Jan 2007 supplementary appeal

Attachments

Introduction

In the face of extreme violence, the massive displacement of Iraqis continues unabated. The security, political, social and economic impact of this situation on Iraq and the region is significant. The response to Iraqi displacement must therefore address the immediate needs, but also incorporate a longer-term perspective, taking into account the needs of countries in the region, in an effort to ensure protection and assistance to displaced Iraqis and refugees inside Iraq, and support to their host communities.

The current exodus is the largest population movement in the Middle East since Palestinians were displaced following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. UNHCR estimates that, by mid-2007, there were some two million Iraqis internally displaced. While many were displaced before 2003 under the former regime, thousands more continue to flee the escalating sectarian, ethnic and generalised violence. UNHCR believes that since the Samarra bombings in February 2006 over 822,000 Iraqis fled their homes for other areas inside Iraq. In addition to those displaced inside Iraq, another two million are believed to be sheltering in neighbouring states. At least one Iraqi in seven is displaced and UNHCR estimates the number of those newly displaced at 2,000 per day.

Iraq is not only a refugee-producing country but also a refugee-hosting country. It is home to over 43,000 refugees, the large majority of whom are Palestinian. Their situation is particularly dire due to the continued persecution and targeting they face.

The security situation inside Iraq, and particularly in the centre and south of the country, poses serious challenges to humanitarian work. UNHCR, like many other humanitarian agencies, has been forced to adopt remote management and partnership arrangements to ensure the delivery of basic protection and assistance. In neighbouring states, massive population flight has put a large burden on limited resources and, as consequence, the fragile protection space is increasingly restricted. In these countries, UNHCR is therefore focusing its action on supporting government structures so as to facilitate access of Iraqis to public services and amenities, especially education, health, and other community services.

Achievements and progress to date

Inside Iraq, the number of UNHCR's protection and assistance centres, formerly known as the legal advice and information centres, has been increased to now cover every governorate. The Office has also strengthened its international staff presence in the north as well as in Baghdad. Emergency life-saving assistance continues to be provided to Palestinian refugees, increasing numbers of whom are fleeing Baghdad to desolate border camps.

In neighbouring countries, a significantly reinforced UNHCR operation has now registered some 150,000 Iraqis. Some 9,000 Iraqis amongst the most vulnerable have been referred for resettlement. Over 20 percent of those referred are women at risk. Some 10,000 Iraqis are using UNHCR-supported health care facilities and a similar number receive regular food supplies.

UNHCR's emergency stockpiles have a current capacity to support 150,000 beneficiaries.

On 17 and 18 April, UNHCR convened an international conference in Geneva to sensitize the international community about the urgent need to address the humanitarian needs of refugees and internally displaced persons inside Iraq. More than 100 countries were represented, as well as the UN, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and 60 non-governmental organizations.

Donor response to UNHCR's appeal has been generous, and the Office received the resources it needed to carry out its initial programme. However, more will be needed to help increasing numbers of Iraqis fleeing widespread violence in their country, particularly those seeking refuge across Iraq's borders.

The needs

The continuing internal and external displacement, and the further deterioration in the ability of the displaced and their host communities to support their basic needs are among the factors which led UNHCR to reassess its budget requirements to assist larger numbers of people.

In addition to the estimated number of 2 million persons displaced inside Iraq, another two million Iraqis are believed to be sheltering in neighbouring states. UNHCR registration data and surveys indicate that at least ten percent of displaced Iraqi families are female-headed, with over 30 percent of the total population having special needs. Large numbers of Iraqi refugees are poor and live in low-income areas in Damascus, Amman, Beirut and Cairo. There are reports of women and young girls forced to resort to prostitution or survival sex and of children working or being involved in other forms of exploitation in order to survive.

Thousands of Iraqis approaching UNHCR are the victims of torture, sexual and gender-based violence, car bombings, or other violent attacks and are in urgent need of medical care. The majority of Iraqi children are not attending school - in fact, throughout the region, only 60,000 displaced Iraqi children are attending school. In a recent report, Save the Children put at 62 percent the proportion of children without access to education in Jordan. In Syria, a recent UNHCR/IPSOS survey put the figure at 76 percent, despite the liberal policy of the Syrian government toward the enrolment of Iraqi children. Many of these children are reported to have been out of school for two to three years. The potential emergence of a generation of uneducated Iraqi youth is a serious concern. The same UNHCR/IPSOS survey identified that 34 percent of Iraqis in Syria had insufficient funds to last a month, and 80 percent depending on savings or charity.

Given the urban, as opposed to camp-based, nature of the Iraqi displacement in neighbouring countries, assistance will need to be individual, as well as community and institution-based, with priority to be given to the latter two elements. UNHCR's activities will continue to focus on identifying the most vulnerable, working with the authorities to keep the borders open for new arrivals, preventing refoulement to Iraq, and ensuring that minimum requirements for a dignified stay are met.

Objectives

UNHCR's objectives in Iraq and in neighbouring countries remain as below; however, the target population will be increased and there will be a renewed focus on education and in providing support to government structures in countries of asylum.

- Ensure effective protection and assistance to vulnerable Iraqis who have fled and those who continue to flee to neighbouring states.

- Improve the delivery of protection and assistance to refugees inside Iraq and pursue durable solutions.

- Provide focused and targeted assistance to the needs of the most vulnerable IDPs and their communities inside Iraq

- Enhance UNHCR's preparedness and response capacity, including reinforcing its contingency stockpile inside and outside of Iraq.

- Promote greater international attention and advocacy on behalf of displaced Iraqis and refugees inside Iraq.