Mission Report, Iraq, October / November 2017

Of the 5.3 million Iraqis displaced since June 2014, over 2.2 million have returned. On-going military operations and conflict continue in the country, with unrest resulting in displacement in locations such as, Western Anbar and the disputed areas of Northern Iraq in October and early November[1]. Western Anbar, in particular, poses significant access problems to humanitarians responding to the needs of the newly-displaced. There are long distances to travel, few shelter options and explosive hazards are present along roads and in settlements. Since the beginning of the year, almost 65,000 people fled western Anbar as of 2^nd November according to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). The majority of those displaced pass through Kilo 18 transit site, from where many are transported to established camps in the east of Anbar governorate[2]. According to the DTM, over 50,000 people – 78 per cent of the total number displaced – are in camps and host communities in Fallujah and Ramadi districts[3].

Despite a marked de-escalation in tensions by the end of the month, the security situation remains fluid and movements of displacement and return continue. UNHCR reports that ninety-five percent of returnees in Iraq are living in their habitual residence, with a small number of families had to move in with relatives or in rented houses, or are temporarily living in public or unfinished buildings, waiting for their habitation to be repaired. On 8^th November, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MoMD), confirmed in a statement that each returnee household would receive IQD 1.5 million (about USD 1,300) to support families re-establish themselves in their areas of origin. It has yet to be seen how this announcement will impact return flows.

In 2017, ECHO continued to support lifesaving humanitarian aid, promoting an Integrated Programming Approach for WASH, Shelter and CCCM response for those living in in-camps and out-of-camps settings. Due to the fluidity of the context in the country, this focused on a two-fold approach that supports 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 provide technical support to evaluate funded actions with WASH, Shelter and CCCM partners under the HIP 2017, along with update the WASH, Shelter and CCCM strategy and operational framework in preparation for funding decisions under the HIP 2018, particularly in light of the evolving context.  This included a detailed briefing with the ECHO country team, highlighting updates of the humanitarian context and WASH, Shelter and CCCM interventions in country to date.

[1] Flash Update, UNHCR, 11^th November 2017

[2] It is important to note that space is immediately available for over 24,500 people in camps in Anbar, 68 per cent of which is in Fallujah

district in the east of the governorate. Kilo 18 is the closest displacement site, but has limited capacity and can only accommodate an

additional 74 families. In the event of large-scale displacement people will have to be transported over 300 kilometres before they can

access a full package of assistance.

[3] Iraq Humanitarian Bulletin for October 2017, OCHA, 2^nd November 2017