Mission Report, Iraq, February 2017

A decade long situation of political instability and sectarian tensions erupted in December 2013 and continues to fuel the current armed conflict between government and government affiliated forces along with a network of armed opposition groups (AoGs) – including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This has resulted in an estimated 3.4 million people being displaced in Iraq due to heavy clashes across northern, central and western Iraq, in addition to an estimated one third of Iraq’s population, 10 million people, in need of help.

Since mid-October 2016, the battle to re-take Mosul from ISIL, has resulted in eastern Mosul city under the control of the Iraqi Security Forces, resulting in an improved security situation and the semblance of normal life emerging, as people return from displacement sites and camps. As a result, humanitarian access has improved throughout January, with humanitarian assistance reaching almost 700,000 people in the city and surrounding areas. Additionally, out of the almost 220,000 people who have been displaced by military operations in Mosul, over 57,000 have returned home. Despite the re-opening of shops and markets in eastern Mosul, purchasing power remains and access to basic services are limited, due to the inadequate functioning of water supply and electrical supply. Despite the gains achieved to date in eastern Mosul, the humanitarian community remains concerned for the wellbeing of approximately 750,000 people believed to still be in western Mosul. With preparations underway, during the time that the mission took place, the Iraqi government and humanitarian partners are preparing for a variety of possible scenarios that could unfold during the military advance on the city, including, assistance to displaced people due to the fighting and access to those unable to displace.

In 2017, ECHO’s aims to continue to support lifesaving humanitarian aid that promotes an Integrated Programming Approach for WASH, Shelter and CCCM response for those living in in-camps and out-of-camps settings. This focuses on a two-fold approach that support first-line emergency response, with the ability to rapidly transition to more durable, second line interventions. As a result, the main objective of the mission was to evaluate funded actions with WASH, Shelter and CCCM partners under the HIP 2016, along with update the WASH, Shelter and CCCM strategy and operational framework in preparation for funding decisions for the HIP 2017.  This includes a detailed briefing with the ECHO country team, highlighting updates of the humanitarian context and WASH, Shelter and CCCM interventions in country to date.

ECHO (2016), Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP), Iraq Crisis

OCHA, Humanitarian Bulletin Iraq, January 2017 (issued on 20^th February 2017)