Iraq HAR

January 14, 2005

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

Overview

Humanitarian Situation: Continued concern about security, attacks on civilians and Iraqi security forces, crime, and lethal exchanges between multinational force and insurgents; Food distribution OK except in heavy conflict areas; Infrastructure improving very slowly; Reconstruction and humanitarian operations slow;

Political: Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif called on Iraqis to “unite and make the superior interest of Iraq count over narrow confessional interests”; Citing security reasons, the European Parliament will not send election observers to Iraq; South Korean President Roo Moo-hyun says South Korean troops will remain in Iraq until goals set by US and other participating countries are met; While on diplomatic visit to France Iraq’s Interim President Ghazi al-Yawar confirms that French journalist Florence Aubenas has been kidnapped;US White House officially confirms they have stopped looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and final report will be printed shortly; OPEC oil ministers will meet January 30 despite Iraqi request to postpone the meeting in light of elections

UN: Koffi Annan appoints Staffan de Mistura, former special representative for southern Lebanon, as Deputy Special Representative for Iraq; Speaking to the press at an unrelated conference, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan encouraged Iraqi authorities to do more to encourage Sunni Muslims to participate in elections; In Cairo, Ashraf Qazi, UN envoy for Iraq, reiterated UN support for Iraqi elections and Iraq’s transitional process, at a meeting of Iraq’s neighboring countries, the Arab League and the Groups of Eight industrialized nations (G8); Ashraf Qazi, UN envoy for Iraq meets with senior officials from Jordan to discuss elections and security situation and participates in meeting with Iraq’s neighbors hosted by Jordan;Iraq’s Interim President Ghazi al-Yawar urges the United Nations to evaluate and comment on whether the elections should occur this month; UN technical staff are in Iraq helping to get approximately 9,000 polling stations ready for this month’s elections

Refugees: UNHCR reports over 100,000 refugees returned to Iraq from Iran, including 42,000 of the 50,000 long-term camp residents—UNHCR and Iran working to consolidate camps;Thousands of returnees believe they will be compensated for voting inside Iraq in January elections; UNHCR says 130 Iranian Kurds and Palestinians remain in Jordan’s Ruweished camp, 760 on Jordan-Iraq border in no-man’s land, and 2,800 Iranian Kurds in Al Tash camp near Fallujah—1,400 departed during area conflict;

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Some 80,000 IDP’s returned to Fallujah to inspect the damage and only about 10% of them remained in the city;Humanitarians in Jordan report about 250,000 Fallujah IDPs in surrounding towns and Baghdad; Norwegian Refugee Council’s Global IDP Project estimates 800,000 mostly-Kurdish, long-term IDPs in north and up to 250,000 mostly Marsh Arab long-term Iraqi IDPs in central and south; Hundreds of thousands of returning Kurds cause recent displacement in north;

Civil Society/Rule of Law:Farid Ayar, spokesman for Iraq’s Independent Election Commission says those Iraqi citizens living in volatile areas of insurgency will be allowed to vote in safer communities; Voters across Iraq can register and vote on January 30; The commission expects nearly 7 million of the 14 million eligible voters to cast a vote in the upcoming elections; Iraqi citizens must have their personal Iraqi identity cards with them to vote, not their ration cards as previously announced;

Civil–Military Interaction: The US Pentagon will gradually begin transferring some of the responsibilities of it US $18.4 billion reconstruction program over to the US Army Corp of Engineers; Continuous activities performed by Multinational Force Iraq to capture suspected insurgents and uncover weapon caches particularly in areas of heightened insurgent activities- Baquba, Mosul, Baghdad, Tikrit, Baiji, Kirkuk, Duluiyah; US military considers transferring the more than 2,000 Abu-Ghraib inmates to Camp Bucca near the Kuwaiti border after the elections; US Commander of coalition Multinational Division North-Central reports that the Diyala, Salah al-Din, and al Tamim provinces are secure for elections;US Secretary of State Colin Powell reports that US troops will begin leaving Iraq this year as the Iraqi army, national guard and police force take on a larger role

Humanitarian Access to Iraq: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) made second visit to Fallujah ahead of residents’ return—visited water and sewage plants and mortuary—advocates returning citizens to city as weather turns cold; No IRCS, ICRC, UN, or NGO presence in Fallujah;UN, Red Cross, and NGOs supporting Fallujah IDPs outside city with food and non-food items they can take back into Fallujah; Director General of the NGO Ministry, Dawood Pasha, acknowledges many fake NGOs registered;

Economy/Oil: A major oil pipeline resumed flow linking Kirkuk oil fields with Baiji refinery after a three week stoppage caused by an attack on December 23. This pipeline will pump between 300,000 and 400,000 barrels a day to the refinery. It will take another ten days to repair Iraq’s principal export route leading from northern Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan;Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Allawi says attacks on oil and electricity infrastructure have cost Iraq some $10 billion in revenue;Oil officials report that attacks on oil infrastructure have paralyzed oil operations in northern Iraq;Attacks on oil infrastructure continue—latest attack in south near Basrah;Oil income of US$20 billion since war; US writes off all of the US$4.1 billion owed by Iraq;Paris Club of 19 countries, including US, Russia, France, and Germany, US writes off 80% of Iraq’s US$42 billion debt; Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi calls for Arab countries to write off US$80 billion owed them;

Water/power: Clean water, sanitation not available, power remains out in Fallujah;Month-long power shortage reported in Baghdad limits electricity to as little as 4 hours a day, causing spoilage--Baghdad had nearly 18 hours a day of electricity—additional significant rehab will be complete in 2005;US military reports more than half of Iraqis have access to potable water, and that less than half the sewage treatment plants are working;

Food: World Food Program reports that it is currently providing food assistance to some 7,900 Iraqi refugees in Iran;World Food Program (WFP) reports November food distribution completed with some shortages in most governorates;Overall, PDS food delivery running smoothly--insecurity hampers distribution in some areas; Ministry of Trade takes over from WFP in contracting for food; WFP acquiring food supplies to implement one-year emergency program for most vulnerable;Agriculture Minister Sawasan Ali Magid al-Sharifi says ubiquitous Public Distribution System (PDS) causes some disincentives for increased Iraqi agriculture production;

Health and Medical: According to an Azzaman newspaper story, citing a report bearing the signature of Health Minister Alaa al-Awan, 80% of Iraq’s 1,717 primary health care centers are without electricity, 90% lack running water and more than half have no assigned doctors. Fallujah General Hospital and two clinics are reported to be operational;Vaccines reported spoiled in Baghdad due to power shortage;Health Minister says it will take four years for health service to recover; UNICEF head Carol Bellamy says acute malnutrition among young children has nearly doubled since beginning of war.

In Country Humanitarian Assistance Information By Region

North Region

Erbil, Dahuk, Sulaymaniyah
Coordination	UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) currently collaborating with UN Office of Project Services (UNOPS) on multi-million dollar project to help reintegrate 2,700 IDPs. However, resources to resettle Iraqi Kurdish families in northern Iraq remain limited. (Friday, Dec-03-04) Ministry of Human Rights in Sulamaniyah has been providing beneficiaries of joint International Rescue Committee (IRC)-UNHCR scheme with plots of land and US$1,000 in cash. IRC-UNHCR began repatriation of Iraqi Kurds in June 2004. Approximately 1,000 IDPs daily from Iran, according to Ministry for Displacement and Migration. (Friday, Dec-02-04) British NGO, Mine Action Group (MAG) is continuing de-mining work in Iraqi Kurdistan, including towns of Qadir Karam, Muzaffer and Karahenjir. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04)
Population	Population of Erbil: 1,334,176 Population of Sulaymaniyah: 1,605,506 Population of Dahuk: 817,376
IDP Movement	UN-sponsored program offering voluntary repatriation to Iraqi refugees from Iran improving due to decrease in differences between Iraq’s two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). PUK was keener of the two to see convoys continue. (Friday, Dec-03-04) Approximately 300 Iraqi Kurdish IDPs in Chwarqurna town in Sulaymaniyah after returning from Iran 3 months ago. IDPs in the region reportedly short on resources to rebuild homes despite receiving money and land from officials. (Friday, Dec-02-04) About 300 Iranian Kurdish families recently arrived in Sulaymaniyah governorate after fleeing Al-Tash IDP camp, near Ramadi, due to insecurity. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04) Estimated 350 Assyrian Christian families in Baghdad ready to return to northern Iraq after attacks against churches in Baghdad and Mosul in August and October. However, Kurdish Muslims living on land Christians occupied before resettlement by Saddam Hussein do not want to leave. Ministry of Displacement and Migration, Christian and Kurdish groups discussing possible solutions. (Monday, Nov-22-04) According to UNHCR, there are approximately 42,000 IDPs living in Dahuk Governorate, 5,000 of which are living under the care of UN agencies. Included are Syrians fleeing Kurdish violence and Iranian Kurds from Al-Tash camp in Al-Anbar Governorate.
Food	No New Information
Health	Sulaymaniyah Minister of Health says the governorate has fewer than 200 doctors. Authorities are trying to encourage specialist doctors back to the region and train current medical staff.(Tuesday, Oct-05-04)
Non-Food Items –Shelter	No New Information
Water & Sanitation	No New Information
Security	No New Information
Other/Comments	In the Iraqi Kurdish city of Arbil, the London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) has set up training courses to teach 20 local Iraqis the basics of objective news reporting with a two-week training course. (Tuesday, Dec-28-04) A mass grave was uncovered near the city of Sulaimaniya in the autonomous Kurdish region in northeastern Iraq. The site is believed to contain some 500 bodies. Evidence gathered from this site and other mass graves is expected to play a central part in the trial of Saddam Hussein and his top deputies, for war crimes and other crimes against humanity. (Tuesday, Dec-14-04) Kurdistan Institute of Elections (KIE) currently holding programs to educate party officials, civil servants and students on January elections in conjunction with US-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USAID and other development organizations. (Wednesday, Dec-01-04)

Al-Tamim, Ninewa, Salahaldin
Coordination	Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in Kirkuk asking for medicine, food and shelter items due to onset of winter and rise in displacement due to return of Kurds. There are about 8,785 people receiving assistance from 200 volunteers. Last assistance was received after war last year. (Friday, Nov-26-04) World Vision Australia, based in Mosul, pulled out of Iraq due to security concerns. Head of operations was shot dead in Mosul on September 29. (Friday, Nov-19-04)
Population	Population of Mosul: 1.7 million Population of Kirkuk: 755,700 Population of Tikrit: 28,000
IDP Movement	Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says there are some 17,000 displaced people living in tents or former government buildings in Kirkuk as land disputes between returning Kurds and Arabs continue. (Friday, Nov-26-04) According to Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) report, there has been an increasing trend of newly displaced Arabs in central Iraq (including Al-Tamim, Ninewa and Diyala) subjected to aggressive searches by Coalition Forces. Many Arab IDPs also report restricted access to services in Kurdish-controlled areas. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04) As of September 2004, there continue to be reports of Arabs displaced by Kurdish return movements, many taking refuge in military bases in Kikurk - numbers have been difficult to assess. Many have also sought refuge in non-Kurdish areas north and northeast of Baghdad. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04)
Food	No New Information
Health	At the Al-Tamim Health Clinic, some 40 US military medical personnel with Iraqi medical personnel treated more than 160 Iraqi patients in a joint medical assistance visit. A makeshift pharmacy has been set up outside this clinic to fill prescriptions. For medicine that is not available at this clinic, patients can fill their prescriptions in Rashad or Kirkuk. (Wednesday, Dec-29-04)
Non-Food Items –Shelter	Iraqi civilian companies and US working to repair Baiji Power Plant complex in Baiji town – repairs expected to be completed next year. Oct-27-04
Water & Sanitation	A major drinking water unit in the city of Mosul, reportedly sustained significant damage from a US airstrike on Wednesday (December 29). Tens of thousands of the city’s 1.5 million residents are reportedly without running water. (Thursday, Dec-30-04)
Security	An Egyptian and four Kurds were kidnapped in separate incidents around the city of Kirkuk in al-Tamim province. (Friday, Jan-14-05) Insurgents set off a bomb at a voting center in the town of Al-Shirqat in Salah al-Din. The center was badly damaged and there were no people in the center at the time of the attack. (Friday, Jan-14-05) Three officials of the Kurdish Democratic Party were killed in an ambush by gunmen in the city of Mosul in the Ninewa province. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) In Mosul, at least three Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were killed fighting, alongside Iraqi national guardsmen, against insurgents in Mosul. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) One US soldier was killed and three others were wounded by a roadside bomb near Mosul in the Ninewa province. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) One US soldier was killed while conducting security operations near Mosul in the Ninewa province. (Thursday, Jan-13-05)
Other/Comments	A major oil pipeline resumed flow after a three-week stoppage caused by attack on December 23. The pipeline links Kirkuk oil fields with the Baiji refinery. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) An explosion reportedly destroyed a gas pipeline about 35 miles southwest of Kirkuk in Al-Tamim province. .Northern Oil Company reports the pipeline will be shut down for at least five days. (Wednesday, Jan-12-05) Insurgents reportedly attacked power lines between the northern city of Baiji and the rest of the country, causing significant damage. Baiji is home to the largest power plant in Iraq, located 155 miles (250km) north of Baghdad. (Saturday, Jan-08-05) One of Mosul’s 5 bridges across Tigris River re-opened after being closed Wednesday (December 22). Schools remained closed and nighttime curfew Omar Mahmoud Abdallah enforced. (Thursday, Dec-23-04) US military officials express concern that recent arrival of thousands of Kurdish militia in Mosul, which were cooperating with multinational forces against recent insurgent attacks, may increase ethnic tensions. (Thursday, Dec-03-04) Iraqi Property Claims Commission (IPCC) was established by coalition and Iraqi government in January 2004 to address property disputes between Kurds and non-Arabs, and Arabs as a result of “Arabization” program of former regime. Some 19,000 cases have been filed, but in September 2004, IPCC still not in the position to address them. Delays raise concerns of rising ethnic tensions. Reports say Kurdish authorities have already begun re-distributing land in Kirkuk. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04) About 2,000 Iraqi National Guardsmen were deployed a week ago to guard oil pipelines in Khabbaza, near Northern Oil Company headquarters near Kirkuk, as the first step toward replacing tribesmen. (Tuesday, Nov-30-04) Curfews in place in city of Mosul in the Ninewa province, and in the towns of Samarrah and Baiji in the Salah al-Din province. (Sunday, Nov-14-04)

Central/West Regions

Al Anbar, Diyala, Karbala, Babil, Wasit, Najaf, Qadissiya
Coordination	In the Jolan district of Fallujah, US marines have established an aid distribution center for food, water, and other non-food items. (Friday, Jan-07-05) Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) sent a special group from their Disasters Studies Department to assess the situation in Fallujah. They also expect a new convoy of supplies to leave on Wednesday for returnees. (Monday, Dec-27-04) The Iraqi Red Cross Society (IRCS) has moved its office in Fallujah to a safer neighborhood due to continued clashes. Expresses concern for IDPs because of winter cold. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) The International Organization of Migration (IOM) has launched two-week emergency aid operation for more than 200,000 IDPs in nine areas around Fallujah, as well as in other buildings improvised by IRCS. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) In preparation of IDP return to Fallujah, the Ministry of Trade has been tasked with coordination and pre-positioning of all logistics-related needs. (Monday, Dec-20-04) In preparation of IDP return to Fallujah, the Ministry of Industry and Minerals and the Ministry of Displacement and Migration have been tasked with creating an information database and acting as humanitarian agency liaison. (Monday, Dec-20-04) Six trucks carrying South African relief aid left Jordan today for Fallujah. The convoy, organized by Jordan’s Hashemite Charity Organization, is carrying 100 tons of food in addition to blankets and heaters donated by South Africa’s Al Imdad Foundation. (Monday, Dec-13-2004) More than US$120 million has been committed by the US and Iraqi governments for reconstruction in Iraq’s Al-Anbar province. More than half of the money will come from the Iraqi government during over the remainder of fiscal year 2004 and 2005. (Wednesday, Dec-8-2004)
Population	Population of Al-Anbar: 1,270,952 Population of Diyala: 1,271,310 Population of Karbala: 741,744 Population of Babil: 1,408,730 Population of Wasit: 938.734 Population of Najaf: 950.222 Population of Qadissiya: 915,564
IDP Movement	UNHCR reports some 80,000 IDP’s returned to Fallujah to inspect the damage and about 10% of them remained in the city. Half of Fallujah’s 18 districts have been opened for returnees (Al Bazaza, Al Jolan, Al moalemmen, Al Dubat, Al Dubat 2, Al Resala, Al Shohadaa, Al Gogayth, and Al Andalus). (Tuesday, Jan-11-05) There are currently five checkpoints in operation around Fallujah for residents who want to enter the town. (Friday, Jan-07-05) Some 40,000 Iraqis have visited Fallujah since its partial reopening with only a few thousand moving back into the city. (Thursday, Jan-06-05) Those returning residents who decide to stay in Fallujah must obtain photo ID badges from the US checkpoint. (Monday, Dec-27-04) For those Fallujah residents whose houses are within the new US camps inside the city, returns have been delayed up to a month. (Monday, Dec- 27-04) According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there are approximately 217,000 IDPs that have left Fallujah. This number is broken down as follows: 3,600 families in the Karma area, 5,000 families in Habaniyah, 20,000 families in the Amiriyah area, 2,000 families in the Saklawiya area, 3,500 families in the Nieamiya area, and an estimated 500 families each in Heet, Aana, Rawa, and Hadeatha. IOM monitors report that access to these areas is sporadic due to military activities and insecurity. (Monday, Dec-20-04) According to a UNHCR briefing, approximately 760 refugees remain in “no-man’s land” near the Jordanian-Iraqi border. Most of these refugees are Iranian Kurds and Palestinians who had previously been in exile in Iraq. (Friday, Dec-10-2004) Resettlement of Fallujah is to take place district by district. All men of military age will be processed through a central database using photographs, fingerprints and iris scans, before being issued ID cards. There will be approximately 40 processing stations in place to expedite this process. No cars will be allowed to prevent car bombs. (Thursday, Dec-9-2004) The Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says that hundreds of people have fled the towns of Mahmoudya and Latifiyah, as US and British troops battle with insurgents. A medical official from the main hospital in Latifiyah says that the hospital had run out of medicine and surgical materials. Some 1,500 people are camped in an area 10 km south of the town while another 100 families have taken refuge in a mosque 10 km from the city. (Thursday, Dec-02-04)
Food	US soldiers supplied more than 9,500 humanitarian daily rations to the Kurdish town of Tash located southwest of the city of Ramadi in the Al-Anbar province. (Sunday, Jan-02-05) Returning Fallujah residents will receive a monthly food ration from the government. (Monday, Dec-27-04) Ministry of Trade prepositions food in Fallujah for returning residents (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) Canned food will be distributed to the Fallujan IDPs, for the initial two-week phase of the IOM emergency aid operation. The IOM and UNHCR will then collaborate to distribute food to four of the nine IDP locations around Fallujah. (Tuesday, Dec-21-04)
Health	The US military provided two ambulances to the city of Nukhayb, in the western part of the Al-Anbar province. (Friday, Jan-07-05) Patients are receiving treatment at two places set by the US forces. One is the Al-Jeneby Teaching Hospital and the other is the Health Centre of Jollan. (Monday, Dec-27-04) In Fallujah, General Hospital reported as operational. US Marine spokesperson says two clinics and two hospitals have been set up. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) In preparation of IDP return to Fallujah, the Ministry of Health has been tasked with coordination and pre-positioning of all health-related needs. (Monday, Dec-20-04)
Non-Food Items –Shelter	In late December, UNHCR provided local authorities with 50,000 blankets, 2,000 mattresses, 600 tents, 13,000 stoves, and 300 heaters for Fallujan returnees. (Tuesday, Jan-11-05) Residents that have returned to Fallujah have access to electricity for a few hours every day. (Tuesday, Jan-11-05) US soldiers distributed 4,500 blankets and 3,000 pairs of shoes to more than 400 households in the Kurdish town of Tash, located southwest of the city of Ramadi in the Al-Anbar province (Sunday, Jan-02-05) According to US Navy spokesman, the restoration of electricity to Fallujah will take several more months. (Thursday, Jan-06-05) There is still no water or electricity in Fallujah and the sewage system has suffered heavy damage. (Monday, Dec-27-04) The Iraqi government said that Fallujah IDPs would eventually be paid between US$2,000 to US$10,000 in compensation for damaged homes. Shopkeepers would receive between US$1,500 to US$3,000, while each family would be given US$100, a heater and fuel rations for immediate needs. Approximately 70 percent of houses and shops have been destroyed in Fallujah. (Thursday, Dec-23-04) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a two-week emergency aid operation to help some 216,000 IDPs in nine locations around Fallujah. IOM packages include blankets, heaters, plastic sheeting, cooking sets, cooking stoves, hygiene kits, chlorine tablets and jerry cans. The IOM maintains two large warehouses in Iraq where non-food items are stored. (Tuesday, Dec-21-04) In preparation of IDP return to Fallujah, the Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MOIM) has been tasked with coordination and pre-positioning of all relief and shelter needs. (Monday, Dec-20-04) In preparation of IDP return to Fallujah, the Ministry of Oil and the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW) have been tasked with coordination and pre-positioning of all infrastructure and fuel needs. (Monday, Dec-20-04) US civil affairs teams have begun making condolence payments to residents – maximum of up to US$2,500 per person. Iraqi government has also promised US$100 to each returning family. (Wednesday, Dec-01-04) Iraqi government and US military have set aside US$178 million for immediate repairs to Fallujah.
Water & Sanitation	Municipal water is only available a few hours a day to residents that have returned to Fallujah . Main water lines in Fallujah will be fixed within weeks, however pipes to houses must be fixed on an individual basis. Currently there are water tanks at fifteen locations around the city distributing water to residents. (Tuesday, Jan-11-05) Water service is starting to flow in some neighborhoods in Fallujah according to US Navy personnel working with the Iraqi government to restore water service in the city. (Thursday, Jan-06-05) US Marine spokesperson says that 500,000-gallon water tanks have been distributed in Al Andalus neighborhood in Fallujah for returning IDPs. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) An International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team says Fallujah’s water pumps working, but purification systems damaged or inoperative. US officials say it will take a long time to restore basic services. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) In preparation of IDP return to Fallujah, the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW) has been tasked with coordination and pre-positioning of all water and sanitation needs. (Monday, Dec-20-04)
Security	An Iraqi minibus collided with a US tank it was passing on the road, killing 6 of the bus passengers and injuring another eight. The incident occurred in the city of Al-Maqdadiya in the Diyala province. (Friday, Jan-14-05) Fifteen Iraqi national guardsmen were kidnapped when their convoy was ambushed in the town of Hit, located northwest of Ramadi in the Al-Anbar province. (Friday, Jan-14-05) Thirty-eight prisoners being transported from the Abu Ghraib prision to a courthouse in Baghdad, escaped by overpowering police and security guards while in transit. The cause of incident was related to a handcuff shortage, some of the prisoners bound by rope were able to free themselves. Four guards and the bus driver were severely beaten during the incident. Ten of the prisoners that escaped were immediately recaptured and 28 remain at large. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) Two US soldiers were killed while conducting security and stability operations in the Al-Anbar province. (Thursday, Jan-13-05)
Other/Comments	The Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission is working to create polling stations for Fallujan IDPs near camps outside the city of Fallujah. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) US military and Iraqi officials working to create polling stations for residents that have returned to Fallujah. For those residents from Fallujah that have not returned to the city, refugee cards issued by the Iraqi government will allow them to vote elsewhere in Iraq. (Thursday, Jan-06-05) According to a report from the primary hospital in Fallujah, more than 700 bodies have been recovered in the rubble of nine neighborhoods in Fallujah. An accurate number of the dead will be difficult to obtain because many were buried prior to being counted. (Tuesday, Jan-04-05) The curfew continues in Fallujah, which runs from 1800 to 0600. (Monday, Dec-27-04) The police imposed a curfew in Najaf’s old city in response to the weekend suicide bombing. (Sunday, Dec-19-04). According to US military, without the return of residents to Fallujah, humanitarian aid has not been delivered in the city and residents have not been able to meet the December 15 deadline for registering for the January 30 election. Recent violence has further delayed the residents’ return to Fallujah. (Thursday, Dec-16-04) Curfew established in city of Kuja in the Najaf province and in the town of Hawija in the Diyala province. (Friday, Nov-12-04).

Baghdad

Baghdad
Coordination	The World Bank signed three contracts for Iraqi reconstruction and health projects valued at US$145 million. The contract provided US$55 million for private sector development; US$65 million for Baghdad water and sanitation project; and US$25 million for emergency health. These are part of US $400 million Iraq trust fund administered by the World Bank. (Saturday, Dec-04-04) The British-based NGO, Medact released a report Tuesday (November 30) saying that the medical system in Iraq is in tatters and that there is an increased risk of disease and death. Medact says that cases of vaccine-preventable diseases were rising, and relief and reconstruction work had been mismanaged, a charge the Iraqi government denies. (Wednesday, Dec-01-04) Despite move to Jordan in 2003, UN monitors IDPs through NGOs on the ground. IDP response in Iraq is coordinated by “Cluster 8” composed of agencies, including UNHCR, IOM, UNOPS, WHO, UNICEF and FAO. Cluster 8 works closely with Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), local authorities, Red Cross and NGOs such as Intersos and Islamic Relief. In 2004, working with Iraqi government in implementing IDP assistance and protection programs. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04) UNICEF launched a US$40 million dollar project to ensure that children receive basic educational supplies distributing more than 6 million school bags and education kits to children throughout Iraq. (Monday, Nov-29-04) The Baghdad-based National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) is currently collaborating with offices in Basrah and Erbil to build national demining program. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04) Aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) withdrew from Iraq due to insecurity. MSF had 90 Iraqi staff and had been in Iraq since December 2002. (Thursday, Nov-04-04)
Population	Population: 6.5 million
IDP Movement	According to the Iraq Red Crescent Society (IRCS), approximately 1,000 IDPs from Fallujah are camped around a local mosque near Baghdad University. It is estimated that an additional 2,000 are living in tent cities or with relatives or other families near mosques around Baghdad. (Monday, Dec-20-04) International Organization for Migration (IOM) says over 5,800 families have been displaced to Baghdad, of which 2,839 have settled in Abu Ghraib area, 100 are in tents near Baghdad University, and 12 are on grounds of Baghdad International Fair. (Thursday, Dec-02-04) Thousands of IDPs from Fallujah are in camps that include those set by Iraqi NGO, Humanitarian Aid Society (HAS) and Omar al-Mukhtar charity, as well as those at mosque at Baghdad University and old al-Tagi military base under care of other NGOs and local residents. (Monday, Nov-29-04) An estimated 60,000 Christians have fled Iraq for Syria and Jordan in recent months. Numbers have dropped from 1.3 million in 1987 to about 70,000 in Iraq. Estimated 20,000 – 50,000 Christians in Baghdad. (Monday, Nov-22-04) UNCHR estimates around 30,000 Palestinians live in Baghdad. UNHCR is assisting 450 Palestinian families with rental support and other relief items—35 Palestinian families are still living in tents at the Haifa Sports Club; About 700 families of Roma origin are reportedly living in a former Baghdad orphanage.
Food	No New Information
Health	Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), which has office in Baghdad, is helping to rebuild hospital in the capital for first 6 months of next year – will send US$395,000 to Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) for hospital. (Monday, Nov-29-04)
Non-Food Items –Shelter	Russia delivered 23.2 tons of medicines, medical equipment and disinfectants, and 6,000 blankets to Baghdad Airport. Over the weekend, Russia had airlifted aid for Baghdad University. (Thursday, Dec-29-04)
Water & Sanitation	No New Information
Security	The Sunni militant group Ansar al-Islam claimed responsibility for the shooting death of Sheik Mahmoud Finjan al-Madaini, a representative of Grand Ayatollah Al al-Sistani. His son and four bodyguards were also killed in the attack. (Friday, Jan-14-05) US Brig. Gen. Hammond says Baghdad neighborhoods of Azamiyah and Haifa Street may not be secure enough for the upcoming elections. (Friday, Jan-14-05)
Other/Comments	US military and Iraqi government officials expect to spend more than US$100 million to fix infrastructure in Sadr City, Baghdad. US military projects include US$70 million for sewer infrastructure, U$30 million for power, and US$90 million for water, employing up to 3,000. However, insecurity continues to be a problem. (Thursday, Dec-21-04)

South Region

Basrah
Coordination	The Red Crescent Society relief ship of the United Arab Emirates left Dubai for the port of Umm Qasr, carrying 400 tons of relief aid, including 20 containers of medical supplies. (Sunday, Dec-05-04) Regional Mine Action Center (RMAC), partners and other NGOS (including Iraq Landmine Impact Survey, ILIS) working again around Basrah city after 8 months of delays. NGO has been attacked twice and 1 local aid worker was killed – will close down physically in Basrah. (Friday, Dec-03-04) Iraq Landmine Impact Survey (ILIS), partner of RMAC, started in August and is working around Basrah. Most heavily affected is village of Jurf Al-Malh, close to Iran border. There are 750,000 MT of UXOs (unexploded ordnance) in and around Basrah, mainly from fleeing Iraqi troops last year. Iraqi National Guard also working to clear Al-Fao region south of Basrah. (Friday, Dec-03-04) INTERSOS, an Italian NGO is working with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iran’s south to register Iraqi returnees with four offices in southern governorates, including Shalamcheh city on Iranian border. (Friday, Nov-12-04)
Population	Population of Basrah: 1,981,901
IDP Movement	Housing shortage reported for refugees that have returned to Basrah from Iran – many living in former government buildings. Despite rehabilitation and re-flooding of marshlands, creating livelihoods remains difficult. Officials say 300,000 housing units planned across the country. (Friday, Nov-12-04). At least 241, 962 Iraqi refugees have returned to southern Iraq since last year. (Friday, Nov-12-04). Based on the latest Ministry of Trade’s (MoT) Public Food Distribution statistics, Basrah population estimated around 3 million, an increase of 1.2 million since April 2003, indicating a large-scale population movement. (Wednesday, June-28-04)
Food	No New Information
Health	Hay Al-Jihad clinic has been opened in area of Al-Amnal Dakhilay, southwest of Basrah city, to serve around 117,000 residents. Ministry of Health says most of 85 medical centers in Basrah governorate have been renovated. (Tuesday, Nov-02-04).
Non-Food Items –Shelter	No New Information
Water & Sanitation	USAID completes rehabilitation of southern Sweet Water Canal, including pumping station and water treatment plants, doubling fresh water for Basrah’s 1.75 million inhabitants. (Friday, Dec-17-04) UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) contributed US$ 34 million to US$100 million Emergency Infrastructure Program (EIP) in southern Iraq, which began September 2003 and is due to end December 2004. EIP projects included 25% improvement in water service in Basra city, overhaul of 40 petrol stations and replacement of 2000 km (1243 miles) of electric lines. (Wednesday, Oct-20-04)
Security	No New Information
Other/Comments	The UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) has agreed to provide 435,000 pounds (US$ 836,000) to rebuild a park and streets in Basrah, creating jobs for 600 people. (Thursday, Dec-23-04) According to Regional Mine Action Center (RMAC) in Basrah, a total of 9,574 items, including UXOs (unexploded ordnance) and mines, have been destroyed this year. (Friday, Dec-03-04) The UN’s Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) reports NGOs are rehabilitating 95 schools--a few others will be totally rebuilt. Multinational forces assists building repairs. (Friday, Oct-8-04)

Al Muthanna, Dhi Qar, Maysan,
Coordination	The deployment of Japanese Self Defense Forces stationed in Samawah and Kuwait was extended for another year. There are up to 600 Japanese troops stationed in Samawah and 200 airmen in Kuwait. The Japanese troops mainly work on water supply, medical support, road maintenance and school renovation. (Thursday, Dec-9-2004)
Population	Population of Al Muthanna: 569,933 Population of Dhi Qar: 1,538,871 Population of Maysan: 848,322
IDP Movement	According to Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) report, Marsh Arab IDPs face difficulties obtaining documentation for monthly food rations due to lack of registration. (Friday, Nov-26-04)
Food	No New Information
Health	The Japanese government will implement a project for the provision of equipment to primary health centers in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna (Health Department of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna). The project has been allocated 866 million Yen (US $8.5 million) and will provide the Health Department of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna with funds necessary to purchase medical equipment to be used at 32 primary health centers in the Governorate. (Thursday, Jan-13-05) According to Minster of Industry Hajim al-Hassani, Fallujah has been supplied with enough food, drinking water, and fuel to last until life gets back to normal. Hassani also said each family returning to Fallujah will get immediate financial aid of US$100 and that an additional sum of US$500 will be given later. It is not clear whether the US or Iraqi government will be providing disbursements. Residents whose homes were damaged will be compensated between US$2,000 and US$10,000. (Monday, Dec-20-04)
Non-Food Items –Shelter	The government of Japan has extended a grassroots human security grant aid of about US$1.2 million to improve roads in the city of Samawah. The money will serve to asphalt about 10 miles (16 km) of roads in the northern and southern parts of the city (Thursday, Jan-06-05)
Water & Sanitation	The Japanese government will implement a project for provision of equipment for solid waste management in Samawah (Department of Samawah Municipality). This project has been allocated 658 yen (US$6.4 million) and will provide the city of Samawah with funds necessary to purchase equipment for solid waste management such as garbage collection vehicles and containers. (Tuesday, Dec-28-04) One of five water treatment facilities provided to the Water Department of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna, funded by Japan, has been set up in Darraji in Al-Muthannah. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04) The Japanese government provided the Agency for Cooperation and Technical Development (ACTED), a French NGO, with about US$353,000 for the implementation of Phase II of the Project for Improvement of Access to Safe Drinking Water in the Rural Areas of the province of Al-Muthanna. The project will provide hygienically safe water for about 67,000 residents in the southern part of Samawah. (Monday, Dec-13-2004) The Water Department of the governorate of Al Muthanna has purchased 26 water tank trucks and 304 feed tanks (worth a total of US$3.68 million) with a grassroots grant aid extended by the Japanese government. (Tuesday, Oct-26-04)
Security	No New Information
Other/Comments	The UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) has agreed to provide US$ 72,000 to provide employment training for over 400 people in Dhi Qar, and US$497,000 in infrastructure projects in Maysan, creating jobs for 6,400 people. (Thursday, Dec-23-04) Government of Japan has extended grassroots human security grant aid of about US$1.4 million to Electricity Department in Al Muthanna governorate to cope with power shortages in southern Iraq, including Samawah. (Friday, Nov-19-04)

Neighboring Countries’ Humanitarian Activities/Preparations

Jordan

The approximately 200,000 Iraqi expatriates living in Jordan will be able to vote at 12 different polling stations set up by the International Organization for Migration. Of the twelve sites, eight are in the city of Amman, two are in the city of Irbid, and two are in the city of Zarqa. (Thursday, Jan-13-05)

A water/sanitation training program for Iraqis was opened in Amman, Jordan as part of Japanese reconstruction assistance to Iraq, in cooperation with Water Authority of Jordan. Japan said it would extend US$1.5 billion in grant aid in 2004 and US$3.5 billion as loan aid from 2005 to 2007. (Monday, Nov-29-04) A number of Iraqi tuberculosis (TB) patients are being treated in the Al-Noor TB center in Jordan. (Wednesday, Nov-24-04)

Iraqi authorities on Sunday (November 15) reopened border posts of al-Walid with Syria and border post of Trebil with Jordan after being closed down last week.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday (November 1) has suspended all activities in Al-Karama refugee camp in buffer zone between Jordan and Iraq due to increasing attacks on its staffers by disgruntled refugees – senior UNHCR official said the commission would seek third country to host the refugees, most of whom are Kurdish Iranians. Jordan recently approved entry of 384 Iranian Kurdish refugees to the camp.

UNHCR’s Ruud Lubbers said that Jordan would not pressure the approximately 200,000 Iraqi refugees living in Jordan to return to Iraq. In addition, a limited number of Iraqis will be allowed to stay long-term, particularly those married to Jordanians.

About 1,150 refugees reportedly remain in camps near the Jordan/Iraq border (Tuesday, Oct-12-04). At the Al-Ruwayshid Refugee Camp, managed by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), there are about 152 refugees. Most refugees are Palestinians who previously lived in Iraq, as well as some Sudanese and Somali refugees. About 100 Palestinians opted to return to Baghdad in late May 2004. Between April and July 2004, 226 Palestinians returned to Iraq. However, repatriation has almost stopped, with only two refugees repatriating in August and September, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Medical care and other assistance are being provided in Al-Ruwayshid by various agencies on the ground. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is responsible for solid waste and sanitation facilities in the Ruwayshid and Al-Karama camp under an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Care-Austria, in collaboration with ECHO and UNHCR, is providing sanitary and social services including vaccinations for children and nutritional supplements for newborns and pregnant and breast-feeding women. Preparations are being made at the camps for the coming winter. This year, 879 individuals from the two camps have been resettled abroad.

Several NGOs have evacuated their international staff members to Jordan due to insecurity. The French branch of the Red Cross announced in April that its activities in Iraq have been suspended and that it will provisionally close its office in Amman, Jordan. Four international staff from the German NGO, HELP, are reportedly among the latest aid workers to relocate to Amman, where they will continue work from there, due to security concerns (Friday, Oct-1-04). The NGO has about 50 local staff and has assisted in de-mining and water projects in Iraq since 2003.

The Government of Jordan stated that borders with Iraq are open for the flow of goods. The Humanitarian Action Coordination Center (HACC-West) has advised that it needs 24-hour advance notice of vehicle movement into Iraq from Jordan.

Iran

UNHCR and the Bureau of Aliens’ and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs of the Ministry of Interior (BAFIA) reached an agreement to close 12 Iraqi camps with a mission scheduled this month to review the implementation process of the closures and consolidation. The number of Iraqi refugees in Iranian camps has fallen to 8,000 from 50,000. Of the 22 camps in Iran, 6 are empty and 14 camps are nearly empty. Iran has an estimated 95,000 remaining Iraqi refugees. Prior UNHCR reports recorded more than 200,000 Iraqi refugees in Iran. Current UNHCR reports estimate that approximately 107,000 of these refugees have returned to Iraq. Many have returned on their own accord, while some 12,500 returned with UNHCR assistance. Some 330 Iraqi refugees were repatriated with UNHCR assistance from refugee camps in Iran between December 15 2004 and January 5 2005. (Tuesday, Jan-10-05)

The World Food Program is currently providing food assistance to 7,900 Iraqi refugees in camps in Iran. (Tuesday, Jan-10-05)

Iran became the thirteenth country to agree to host Iraqi expatriate voting for the elections this month in a project coordinated by the IOM. (Monday, Jan-03-05)

Iraqi slowly returning 1,500 pilgrims from Iran who entered without proper documentation to visit holy sites, ignoring Iranian ban on such travel (Tuesday, Dec-28-04);

A ban on the travel of Iranian nationals to Iraq's holy cities has been issued by the Law Enforcement Headquarters, until insecurity in Iraq improves. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04)

Iran has closed its borders with Iraq until further notice in response to continuing violence in Iraq, following car bomb attacks that killed more than 100 people in Shi’ite pilgrimage cities of Karbala and Najaf over the weekend. (Wednesday, Dec-22-04)

UNHCR has organized convoys from Iran to the southern Iraqi city of Basrah since November 2003, but due to the security situation in Iraq, the convoys are sporadically put on hold. Returnees receive a package of relief items, a one-month food ration, travel assistance, and mine-awareness training.

UNHCR started facilitating the return of Iraqi Kurd refugees through the northern Haj Omran crossing at the end of June 2004. A total of 543 Iraqi Kurds returned but the returns were suspended due to concerns over housing shortages. UNHCR has been working with partnering organizations to build houses and other structures and facilities.

Border crossings through the northern border were suspended at the end of November due to weather conditions. In southern Iraq, repatriation extended to another 9 governorates. UNHCR says it does not encourage returns, although it will assist those who insist on doing so.

In March 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) limited ports of entry on Iran’s borders to three. Visitors to Iraq need a passport, complete an entry form, and will be entered into an immigration monitoring system.

Turkey

US General Abizaid, head of US military Central Command, is in Turkey for a two-day visit. One of the primary goals of this visit is to discuss expanding use of the Incirlik base in southern Turkey for US operations in Iraq. (Wednesday, Jan-12-05)

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met to discuss foreign relations specifically the presence of 5,000 militants of the of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) in northern Iraq and the expulsion of Turkish speaking Iraqi Turkmens from Kirkuk by the Kurds. Armitage said that three-way talks will be held between US, Turkish, and Iraqi officials to discuss the PKK matter. (Tuesday, Jan-04-05)

UNHCR scaled down its operations along the border between Turkey and Iraq to focus on relief efforts already underway in Iraq. Turkey will continue assistance to Iraqi refugees who fled Iraq prior the recent war and who now wish to return to Iraq. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is also scaling down their operations in Silopi, Turkey, but said it would be ready to assist in the repatriation of Iraqis.

In January 2004 Iraqi, Turkish, and UNHCR officials agreed on return of up to 13,000 Turkish citizens (ethnic Kurds) to Turkey from Iraq who have lived in exile in Iraq since the early 1990s. An estimated 9,200 of these refugees are living in Mahmour Camp, near Erbil, while others are living in Dahuk and Erbil governorates. Iraqi authorities will ensure that the return is voluntary and that the refugees are not subjected to pressure. UNHCR will have full and unhindered access to the refugees both on Iraqi territory and once they have gone back to Turkey. Turkish authorities are to ensure that the refugees who volunteer to go back to Turkey are free to return to their former places of residence or any other places of their choice within Turkey.

Kuwait

The Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) requests 96 hours to issue a clearance to agencies to carry out cross-border operations. Established by the Pentagon and the Kuwaiti military in January 2003, the goal of the HOC is to coordinate and facilitate transportation and distribution of aid to Iraq from various sources in Kuwait, other governments, or international and local relief agencies. Kuwaiti officials and WE and British military officers staff the HOC.

Humanitarian flights are exempt of all landing and parking fees. The Government of Kuwait has issued a statement that it must be notified 24 hours in advance to issue approved legal passes.

UN staff wishing to travel to Iraq through Kuwait need security clearance and must complete a Kuwaiti immigration form. The immigration form, in addition to a copy of a mission plan, must be given to the transportation office by 1600 hours one day prior to the mission.

Syria

Iraq has closed its border with Syria to truck traffic until after the January 30 elections (Wednesday, Jan-12-05)

According to the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) in Syria, 288 Syrian truck drivers are being detained for questioning by the US military in Rabiah, near the Iraqi-Syrian border. (Tuesday, Jan-11-05)

The Syrian government signed an agreement with the International Organization for Migration which, will allow the estimated 250,000 Iraqis in Syria to register and vote at an elections center in Damascus. (Tuesday, Jan-04-05)

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage reported that Syria has improved its security along its border with Iraq but needs to do more to prevent insurgents from crossing into Iraq. (Monday, Jan-03-05)

Iraqi authorities on Sunday (Nov-15-2004) reopened border posts of al-Walid with Syria and border post of Trebil with Jordan after being closed down last week. Syrian Foreign Minister Faqrouq al-Shara on Sunday (Nov-7-2004) said Syria has reached a cooperation deal with Iraq to increase security along the Iraq-Syria border.

According to reports, there are 4,000 Iraqi families registered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Damascus. Syrian authorities estimate there are about 300,000 Iraqis in Syria. (Tuesday, Oct-19-2004)

The Government of Syria has granted UN agencies and International Organization for Migration (IOM) a number of exemptions for fees, taxes and levees related to the import/export of humanitarian transit cargo to Iraq. New border crossing procedures have improved cross border movements.

In July 2004, Iraq reached an agreement with Syria to seal their 370-mile (600-km) border in an effort to stop the infiltration of foreign insurgents into Iraq. The border is to be controlled form both sides using special security forces.

Saudi Arabia

All but about 480 refugees have left Saudi Arabia’s Rafha camp out of the original 33,000 in 1991. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that it had assisted a total of about 4,856 Iraqi refugees from Saudi Arabia as of May 18, 2004 (Tuesday).

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GoKSA) has issued a blanket authorization for overflight and landing for an unspecified period of time. These clearances apply to flights between Kuwait and Amman.