September 3, 2008

Overview

 

Political: Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr indefinitely suspended a ceasefire for his 60,000 strong Mahdi militia on Thursday (August-28). In addition, Sadr said in a statement, “The Mahdi army suspension will be valid indefinitely and anyone who does not follow this order will not be considered a member of this group.” His decision came after he promised earlier this month to disassemble the once feared militia if a planned security pact between Baghdad and Washington includes a withdrawal plan for US troops. Negotiations regarding the security pact have been progressing, but there are still points of disagreement crucial to both sides. He has also called on followers to turn to non-violent protest against the US presence in Iraq. The Mahdi army was created after the 2003 US-led invasion and became the most active and feared armed Shi’ite group. (AFP, August-28)

 

The US military transferred security responsibility of Iraq’s Anbar province to Iraqi security forces on Monday (September-1). The transfer ceremony was conducted under tight security in the center of Ramadi, the provincial capital. With Anbar province once being the cradle of the Sunni insurgency and the birthplace of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Associated Press called it a “dramatic milestone” in America’s plan to eventually hand over 18 provinces to Iraqi control so US troops can return home. There are around 25,000 American troops that will remain in Anbar to train Iraq’s military and police forces and will also stand by to help if the Iraqis are unable to cope with any surge in violence. (AP, Reuters, September-2)

 

According to the Electoral Commission, Iraq’s parliament must pass the highly disputed elections law by mid-September in order to hold anticipated provincial polls this year. If not passed by the deadline, the polls will slip into next year, in which the further delay, initially set for October 1, would certainly frustrate Washington, who sees the elections as a crucial step towards national reconciliation and for the strengthening of the country’s fledgling democracy, Reuters reports. The impasse that has caused the delay deals with how to treat the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which minority Kurds regard as their homeland. US and UN officials hope the elections will give a voice to Sunni Arabs and some Shi’ite factions that have avoided previous local elections. (Reuters, September-2)

 

The Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Wednesday (September-3) that the US had three days to respond to new proposals from Iraq regarding the draft security deal between Washington and Baghdad. Washington had asked for 10 days to submit a response to parliament, but Ali al-Adeeb of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council said that they had three days to respond to the Iraq pact proposals, with the issues focusing on immunity from Iraqi law for American soldiers, who will lead combat missions and whether US personnel can detain Iraqis. In addition, the pact will determine the future presence of American forces in Iraq after the UN mandate that currently acts as the legal basis for their deployment expires at the end of the year. Americans are expected to withdraw from Iraq in June 2009, but the draft does not specify a final date for complete withdrawal. However, AFP reports Iraqi negotiators saying that full withdrawal will take place by the end of 2011. (AFP, September-3)

 

UN: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced on Monday (September-1) that the UN must improve its image in conflict zones to protect its employees from being seen as targets. As he spoke at a ceremony in Geneva commemorating the 2003 bombing of the UN’s Baghdad headquarters that killed 22 UN staff, Ban said he was committed to take “every possible measure to protect our staff around the world.” He added that there are errant perceptions about the UN and its staff that are at times seen as working on behalf of leading powers and not in a neutral interest. Ban said too many people in the world fail to understand the UN’s role as an impartial friend to all, which remains one of the UN’s most significant strategic communications challenge. Currently, there are plans to build a larger and better-fortified compound to house UN Staff in Iraq. (Reuters, September-1)   

 

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) reported on August 13 that the Iraqi government and the UN signed a three-year cooperation agreement to support Iraq’s reconstruction, development and humanitarian needs. The UN Assistance Strategy for Iraq 2008-2010 was hailed by the Iraqi government as an “important step in Iraq’s recovery process.”  The strategy explains how UN Agencies will cooperate to help Iraq achieve its key economic and social goals, as reflected in the International Compact for Iraq. It also has development and humanitarian solutions for better social services. (UNAMI, August-13) It will be funded through three primary mechanisms to reach its goals: substantial cost-sharing by Iraq’s government, international support through the Iraq Trust Fund and Humanitarian Appeal. (IRIN, August -14)

 

Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): On Tuesday (September-2), Iraqi security forces began carrying out orders to evict people squatting in Baghdad homes that were abandoned by residents fleeing sectarian violence, said a statement from Maj.-Gen. Qassim Moussawi, spokesman for the Iraqi military. Decreased violence has encouraged some Iraqis to return home, only to discover their homes have been occupied by squatters that have no home to return to. Tahseen al-Sheikhli, civilian spokesman for security operations in Baghdad, told Reuters that squatters are the main obstacle delaying the return of displaced families to their houses in Baghdad. Iraqis currently live in separate Sunni and Shia enclaves and the government is eager to initiate mixed neighborhoods again to encourage sectarian reconciliation. Al-Sheikhli said those who refuse to leave would be tried under anti-terrorism laws. According to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the government would spend US$195 million on aiding the resettlement of the refugees.  The International Organization for Migration says at least 2.8 million people remain displaced within Iraq despite a steep drop in violence in the last year. (Reuters, September-2)

 

In coordination with Iraq’s Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) and the Iraqi Red Crescent Organization (IRCO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted an assessment issued on August-15, revealing the grim daily living conditions of IDPs living in tent camps. Despite the decrease in displacement during the first half of 2008, tent camp residents have little or no access to basic services, are unable to protect themselves against extreme weather conditions, and are located far away from medical assistance, education and other needs. In addition, a lack of family privacy, which is highly valued in Iraqi culture, unemployment and overcrowding have caused significant tensions among camp inhabitants. The IOM assessment noted how inadequate overall assistance was to vulnerable communities in Iraq and stressed that until long-term stability is realized, rule of law is improved and basic services restored, displacement in Iraq will continue to be a serious humanitarian crisis. (IOM, August-15)

 

The U.N. reported on June 17 that conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were responsible for the increasing number of world refugees for a second straight year in 2007. UNHCR reported that the world total was 11.4 million refugees in 2007, up from 9.9 million refugees the previous year and that the increase was mostly due to the volatile situation in Iraq. Among refugees, reports estimate there are 2 million Iraqi refugees. (UNHCR, June-17)  Approximately 4.7 million Iraqis have been uprooted by conflict in Iraq, of which over 2 million are living as refugees in neighboring countries - mostly Syria and Jordan - while 2.7 million are internally displaced inside Iraq. (UNAMI, May-9)

 

Civil Society/Rule of Law: The numbers of deaths in Iraq since March 2003 are estimated by Iraq Body Count (IBC) as between 86,728 and 94,626 for civilians and 4,464 for coalition forces, including 4,150 US troops.  While 4,900-6,375 Iraqi military personnel are estimated to have died during the 2003 war, reliable figures are unavailable for the new Iraqi security forces established in late 2003. (Reuters, September-1)

 

The US military reported on Saturday (August-30) that so far this year, it had released 11,000 detainees from its prison in Iraq. The military said that these men, who were once considered a security threat to Iraqi civilians, had completed their internment and could now go on and lead their lives. Maj. Neal Fisher, spokesman for the US military’s detainee operations in Iraq, noted that with the current release tempo, the goal to release more than 12,000 detainees will be reached by mid-September. (AFP, August-30)

 

Humanitarian Situation and Access:  There are some 32 humanitarian international NGOs with programs in Iraq, operating directly or via implementing partners. (UNOCHA, Dec-31)  More than two-thirds of the aid groups present in Iraq in 2003 left due to increasing violence. (Reuters, Nov-21)  Since the 2003 US-led invasion, at least 94 aid workers have been killed (Reuters, Nov-21), 86 kidnapped, 245 injured and 24 arrested in Iraq.  The Iraqi Red Crescent Society is the only agency operating openly nation-wide through its 18 branches. (UNOCHA, Sept-24)

 

Economy/Oil: Iraqi crude oil production averaged 2.46 million barrels per day (MBPD) the week of Aug 18 – Aug 24, a decrease of 0.07 MBPD from the previous week. (US State Dept, August-27)  The Oil Ministry’s weekly production goal for 2008 is 2.2 MBPD, compared to last year's goal of 2.1 MBPD.

 

A US$3 billion deal was signed by China and Iraq on Thursday (Aug-28) revising a prewar agreement for China's biggest oil company to help develop the Ahdab oil field in Wasit province, 100 miles (160 km) south of Baghdad, reported an official at Iraq's Oil Ministry. The deal would restore a project that was cancelled following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. On Tuesday (September-2), a government statement reported that the Cabinet had approved the contract. Under the new deal, China National Petroleum Corporation will develop the field for 20 years. It is expected to produce up to 25,000 BPD after three years and will eventually reach 125,000 (BPD). (AP, Sept-2) Iraq has some of the biggest oil reserves in the Middle East and as security continues to improve, the country is trying to reel in foreign oil companies to increase crude output. Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil are some of the other foreign oil companies that are negotiating deals with the Iraqi government. (BBC, August-28)

 

The oil ministry said that Iraq would resume searching for oil on August-8 for the first time in two decades in the hope of finding vast reserves that lay undiscovered because of sanctions and war. Currently, Iraq has 115 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the third largest in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Iran, but the government thinks the country's actual oil reserves may be three times as high.

 

Water/Power: Daily electricity demand in Iraq from Aug 13 - Aug 19 was seven percent higher than in the same period in 2007.  The daily supply from the grid was 25 percent higher than the same time-frame last year and met 51 percent of demand, compared with 44 percent the year before. (US State Dept, August-20)

 

Food: The IOM’s Mid-Year Displacement and Return Review reports that access to food continues to be a problem with only 29 percent of IDPs having regular access to the Government’s food rations, while 49 percent have intermittent access and 21 percent have no access at all. 41 percent said they had received food assistance from humanitarian organizations and religious charities. (IOM, July-18)

 

Health/Medical: The Health Ministry confirmed five cholera cases in Baghdad and in the southern province of Maysan on Tuesday (September-2). Ihssan Jaafar, general director of the Health Ministry’s general health directorate, reported that four cases have been confirmed in Baghdad, while the fifth case has been confirmed in Maysan province, located 250 miles (400 km) southeast of Baghdad.  He added that a three-year-old boy in Maysan had died from the infection, while the rest of the cases were still undergoing treatment. The Health Ministry attributed the infections to soaring temperatures and drinking water, which is often contaminated by sewage due to rundown sewage systems and water treatment plants. This incident has spread panic among residents in Maysan, which has prompted local health officials to issue a warning. Cholera is a gastrointestinal disease that is usually transmitted through contaminated water and may cause heavy diarrhea that can lead to severe dehydration. The last cholera outbreak was reported on August 14, 2007, in the northern city of Kirkuk. (IRIN, September-3).

 

After a five year absence due to a deadly bombing on the UN headquarters in August 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) reestablished a “permanent international basis” in Iraq in June. However, resources for WHO’s operations in Iraq are drastically under-funded. Last September, WHO and other UN partners issued a “Health Sector Appeal” for US$85 million to cover the needs of Iraqis in neighboring countries. WHO requested US$18 million and to date, 41 percent (US$7.4 million) has been provided. (WHO, Reuters, July-17)

 

According to the IOM’s Mid-Year Displacement and Return Review, 14 percent of IDPs claim they have no access to healthcare services and 30 percent are unable to afford or access the medications necessary for their condition. The substandard living conditions, stress suffered from long periods of displacement, financial difficulties and poor diet and sanitation have a serious impact on the overall health of the displaced. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and ailments caused by malnutrition are abundant, with women and children being the most vulnerable. (IOM, July-18)

 

 

In-Country Humanitarian Assistance Information by Region

North Region

 

 

 

Central/West Regions

                                                                                                              

Baghdad

Baghdad
Coordination	No New Information
Population	Population: 7,145,470
IDP Movement	Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by Province/Governorate   Current Historical   Province  Individuals displaced after Feb 2006 Families displaced after Feb 2006 Families displaced 2003-2005 Families displaced pre-2003 Baghdad 563,771 92,936 1,586 2,281 (IASC, Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), June 2008)   At the end of 2007, Iraq’s MoDM reported that 9,657 IDP families (some 60,000 people) had returned to Baghdad.  The Iraqi Red Crescent stated 46,000 refugees had returned from Syria to Baghdad by the end of December. (IOM, Feb-1)
Food	No New Information
Health	No New Information
Non-Food Items –Shelter	No New Information
Security	On Thursday (Aug-28), a US soldier on patrol in eastern Baghdad was killed by a roadside bomb. In the al-Adil district of western Baghdad, gunmen killed an army colonel and his wife in a drive-by shooting. Two civilians were wounded after a mortar shell landed on a residential compound in the al-Baladiyat district of eastern Baghdad. Nearby, a roadside bomb struck a police patrol, wounding five people, including three policemen.   On Friday (Aug-29), two bodies were discovered in eastern Baghdad.   On Sunday (Aug-31), a sniper shot and killed two Iraqi soldiers in Mansour district in western Baghdad. Two bodies bearing gunshot wounds were discovered in Baghdad.     On Monday (Sept-1), three people were wounded after a bomb planted in a car exploded in the Karrada neighborhood of central Baghdad. On Sunday and Monday in central and northern Iraq, US forces detained 14 militants during operations targeting al-Qaeda. One member of a US-backed neighborhood patrol group was killed and seven others were wounded by a teenage suicide bomber in an attack on a tribal sheikh’s residence in Tarmiyah, 15 miles (25 km) north of Baghdad.      On Tuesday (Sept-2), a US soldier died due to non-combat related causes in Baghdad. No further details were released. In the Nahda district of central Baghdad, a roadside bomb killed two people and wounded 11 others, including three policemen. Two people were killed and 10 others were wounded by a roadside bomb in the district of Harthiya in western Baghdad.   On Wednesday (Sept-3), US troops killed six members of the Iraqi security forces and wounded 10 in Tarmiya, just north of Baghdad, in what the US military said was a mistake. The US military said its casualty figures were lower, but details were not immediately available.    (Reuters, Aug 28 – Sept 3)
Water & Sanitation	No New Information
Other/Comments	No New Information

 

South Region

 

 

 

Neighboring Countries’ Humanitarian Activities/Preparations

 

Jordan

 

A ministry of Education official repor