USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 14, 17 April 2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Iraq – Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet #14, Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 April 17, 2003 Background Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated in Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Government of Iraq (GOI) manipulation of international sanctions. In 1996, the GOI accepted the U.N. Oil-for- Food Program (OFF), after which humanitarian conditions improved. Between 1991 and 1996, the U.S. Government provided nearly $794 million in humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Iraq. Since 1996, revenues from OFF have provided food, medicine, and other civilian goods to assist vulnerable Iraqis. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan noted in a letter to the U.N. Security Council (UNSC), that the GOI has ordered and paid for food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies under OFF that have not yet been delivered. The World Food Program (WFP) estimates that 16 million Iraqis—approximately 60 percent of the total population—rely solely on food rations distributed through OFF in order to meet household needs. On March 20, 2003, Coalition forces began military operations in Iraq. As a result of the conflict, the U.N. Secretary General suspended the OFF food distribution system. On March 28, the UNSC unanimously passed resolution 1472 that allows the U.N. to administer Iraq’s OFF program for 45 days (until May 12). As the U.N. takes over the OFF program, WFP’s first priority is to contact recently active suppliers able to rapidly provide food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE SOURCE Internally Displaced in Iraq 3,414 in Arbil* 6,379 in Dahuk* 54 in As Sulaymaniyah* 3,000 in Badrah UNOHCI (April 16, 2003) UNOHCI (April 16, 2003) UNOHCI (April 16, 2003) UNOHCI (April 17, 2003) Refugees from Iraq Old caseload refugees: 203,000 – Iran 5,100 – Saudi Arabia 250,000-300,000 – Jordan 40,000 – Syria U.S. Committee for Refugees (2001) *Estimates of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in public buildings, with host families, and in open air. Baghdad and Baghdad Governorate The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on April 17 that the main warehouse of the Ministry of Health, which contained extensive medicines and medical supplies, was looted, the building damaged, and WHO’s safe in the building was cut open and pilfered. WHO relocated two large generators that were located at the warehouse to Yarmouk Hospital, which is one of four operational hospitals in Baghdad. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on April 17, calm has returned to some areas of the city center, but security remains volatile. Looting continues in wealthier neighborhoods and clashes between different groups have been reported in poorer areas. ICRC reported on April 17 that ICRC engineers and local technicians have completed emergency repairs on the Qanat raw-water-pumping station, and re-established the water supply for the Al Sadr area of Baghdad, assisting between 800,000 and 900,000 residents. ICRC staff visiting the Al Rashad psychiatric hospital located east of Baghdad reported that conditions at the hospital are poor, due to widespread looting and burning of the facility during April 9-11. Looting prompted approximately 1,050 patients to flee the hospital on April. An estimated 300 patients had returned by April 17. However, potable water and food are scarce and water for cleaning and washing is not available. ICRC provided 30,000 liters of potable water, food, and fuel and oil for the generator. ICRC has also provided medical supplies to eight other hospitals in and around Baghdad. According to the U.N. Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UNOHCI), local staff from non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) assessed hospitals in Baghdad and found that the majority of the facilities lack electricity and water. In most cases, pharmaceuticals are available with the exception of anesthetics. Mortuary services and solid waste management issues are complicating sanitation concerns. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 17, 2003 WFP national staff met with U.S. Civil Affairs personnel on April 16 and requested security at the Ministry of Trade warehouses, silos, and mills in Baghdad. Al Basrah Governorate Beginning on April 17, WFP national staff will hold fifteen meetings in Al Basrah in order to meet all of the city's 1,384 food agents. According to UNOHCI, four public hospitals are operational in Al Basrah. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the primary health care facilities are not functioning. Northern Iraq On April 17, a United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) assessment indicated that in the three northern governorates, 95 percent of the 266,000 IDPs identified in the April 6 assessment returned home. The majority of those who returned were staying with relatives, friends, or in public buildings. Only 44 percent of the IDPs who were staying in open air returned to their homes. According to UNOHCI, U.N. agencies are supplying fuel for generators in Arbil hospitals. UNOHCI reported on April 16 that all the water systems in urban and semi-urban areas of Arbil Governorate are functioning. In As Sulaymaniyah, UNOHCI indicated that all hospitals and critical primary health clinics are providing health care services, and no large-scale health concerns or disease outbreaks have occurred. WFP reported that 50 trucks carrying 1,400 MT of wheat flour to Baghdad crossed the Jordanian-Iraqi border at Al- Karama on April 17. WFP reported on April 17 that the convoy’s successful crossing of the border initiates what is planned to be one of the most important humanitarian corridors into Iraq. WFP plans to re-establish the Public Distribution System providing food throughout Iraq during the next three months, which would require approximately 480,000 MT of food commodities per month to be shipped into Iraq. On April 16, WFP reported that 14 trucks loaded with 259 MT of wheat flour arrived in Arbil on April 15, and 570 MT arrived in As Sulaymaniyah on April 16. A Save the Children (SCF) assessment of Mosul indicated that 50 percent of the city is affected by a water shortage, power is available for only two hours per day, and all 11 hospitals are functioning. In Khanaqin, the SCF assessment revealed that the city is without electricity. However, the main hospital is operational. Current Humanitarian Situation by Sector Health International Medical Corps (IMC) has been working with UNICEF to replenish medical supplies and equipment at An Nasiriyah hospital, which receives approximately 1,000 patients per day. IMC has also been providing medical supplies in the southern Iraqi towns of Ad Deir and Al Qurna. WHO reported on April 17 that it had received reports of 50 cases of diarrhea per day in Kirkuk, compared to 10 per day before the current conflict. Increased rates of diarrheal diseases were also reported in Umm Qasr, An Nasiriyah, and Al Basrah. However, information from many areas is sporadic and incomplete. According to WHO on April 17, there have been an estimated 700 cases of black fever (also known as kala azar, or visceral leishmaniasis) in Al Amara, Maysan Governorate since January 2003. WHO is not concerned that a large outbreak will occur at this time, but infected victims require urgent medical treatment. U.S. Government Response Deployment The United States Government deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the region to assess humanitarian needs and coordinate the emergency relief effort. DART members are located in Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Cyprus, and Qatar and are working closely with U.N. agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and in coordination with U.S. military Civil Affairs personnel at the Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC). From April 13 to April 16, the DART deployed a two-person team to Baghdad to assess the health and pharmaceutical situation in hospitals and health clinics throughout the city. From April 11 to April 15, the DART deployed a security assessment team to An Najaf, An Nasiriyah, and surrounding areas. Pre-Positioning Prior to Coalition military activity in Iraq, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) provided funding to assist U.N. and NGO preparedness activities. In addition, USAID/OFDA has pre-positioned relief commodities in three warehouses in Jordan, Kuwait, and UAE. USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) has supported WFP’s planning and preparation efforts to meet the emergency food needs of vulnerable populations in Iraq. The State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) provided assistance to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) to pre-position supplies for 600,000 potential Iraqi refugees and IDPs located at Iraq’s borders, to establish Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 17, 2003 transit camps for third country nationals (TCNs) fleeing Iraq, and to pre-position supplies for the transportation of refugees and other migrants. Emergency Relief USAID/OFDA is supporting NGO emergency assistance activities with quick-impact projects and IDP support. USAID/OFDA obligated more than $2.5 million for administrative and travel costs on April 10 that have been in progress for during the past few months. USAID/FFP provided emergency food commodities through the Emerson Trust and P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance to WFP for distribution to food insecure Iraqis. WFP also received a cash contribution from USAID/FFP for the purchase of commodities in the region. USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) supported IOM and Development Alternatives, Incorporated (DAI) to prepare for the implementation of the Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI), which supports political stabilization and community recovery activities in post-conflict Iraq. State/PRM contributed assistance for the pre-positioning and emergency response activities of UNHCR, ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and IOM. Reconstruction To date, USAID’s Bureau for Asia and the Near East (USAID/ANE) provided assistance for reconstruction activities in Iraq. USAID/ANE supported the UNICEF and WHO for health, education, and water and sanitation needs, Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) to assess and manage the Umm Qasr port, Creative Associates International to address education issues, the Research Triangle Institute to pursue local governance initiatives, and the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program (AFCAP) to provide logistical support to all USAID/ANE operations. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 17, 2003 Other Donor and International Organization Assistance* As part of the $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq announced on April 8, the Government of Japan (GOJ) will provide nearly $11.7 million to WFP sto purchase approximately 7,000 MT of beans and 10,000 MT of rice. DONOR US $ (MILLIONS) DATE (2003) ASSISTANCE SNAPSHOT Australia $60 April 12 100,000 MT of wheat and distribution costs, U.N. Agencies and ICRC, planning and preparation funding, reconstruction CIDA $67.5 March 26 U.N. agencies, international organizations (IOs), NGOs, CARE Canada for water and sanitation, food, shelter, and health Canada $3.8 ----- Response to U.N. Preparedness Measures Appeal China March 27 Tents Republic of $2.75 April 3 Blankets, sleeping bags, flour, sugar, water purification Croatia disinfectants European Commission $22.5 April 9 ICRC, UNICEF, CARE, Première Urgence, and OCHA for medical, water and sanitation, health, and coordination. France $10.7 Humanitarian Assistance Germany $11.77 April 8 UNHCR and ICRC India $20 April 4 WFP and U.N. Consolidated Appeal Ireland $55.3 April 15 U.N. Agencies and NGOs for humanitarian assistance Japan $100 April 9 Humanitarian Assistance Korea $10 April 3 U.N. Agencies and Korean NGOs Kuwait March 24 45,000 meals/day and an emergency medical center Netherlands $19.6 April 2 U.N. Consolidated Appeal and ICRC New Zealand $3.3 March 20 U.N. Agencies, IOs, and NGOs for humanitarian relief Norway $21.6 March 20 NGOs for humanitarian assistance Russia March 22-23 150 MT humanitarian supplies for refugee preparation in Iran Spain $20.0 March 27 Refugee assistance in Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey Taiwan $4.3 March 27 Refugee assistance – food, medicine, NFIs United $330 March 24 U.N. agencies, IOs, and NGOs – food, health kits, water units, Kingdom winter supply kits, primary health, IDP assistance OTHER DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO DATE**........................................................................................$713 MILLION *This compilation was drawn from ReliefWeb and may not be comprehensive. ** This total is approximate as the value of donated commodities is not available in some cases. Public Donation Information The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash donations to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. A list of humanitarian organizations that are accepting cash donations for their activities in the Gulf can be found in the "How Can I Help" section at [www.usaid.gov/iraq]. USAID encourages cash donations because they: allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on scarce resources (such staff time, warehouse space, etc); can be transferred very quickly and without transportation costs; support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance. General information on making donations and volunteering can be found at: o USAID: www.usaid.gov/iraq -> "How Can I Help?" o The Center for International Disaster Information: www.cidi.org or 703-276-1914 o InterAction: www.interaction.org -> “Guide to Appropriate Giving” o Information on relief activities of the humanitarian community can be found at www.reliefweb.org. *Factsheets can be obtained from the USAID web site at http://www.usaid.gov/iraq Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 17, 2003 U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2003 EMERGENCY RELIEF USAID/OFDA ...........................................................................................................................................$46,995,245 Administrative Costs Administrative $2,912,659 AirServ Logistics Country-wide $2,151,585 The Cuny Center Research studies Country-wide $40,260 IDA Health Country-wide $711,850 IMC Quick-impact projects Country-wide $4,000,000 IMC Capacity building Country-wide $202,900 InterAction Coordination Country-wide $92,860 IOM IDP programs Country-wide $5,000,000 IRC Quick-impact projects Country-wide $3,000,000 Logistics Commodity pre-positioning and DART support Country-wide $6,300,000 Mercy Corps Quick-impact projects Country-wide $3,000,000 NGOs Cooperative agreements Country-wide $4,000,000 SCF/US Quick-impact projects Country-wide $4,000,000 SCF/US NGO Consortium Country-wide $883,131 UNICEF Health, nutrition, water/sanitation Country-wide $2,000,000 UN OCHA Coordination and Information Country-wide $200,000 UN OCHA Coordination and Information Country-wide $1,000,000 WFP Logistics and preposition of food Country-wide $5,000,000 World Vision Quick-impact projects Country-wide $2,500,000 USAID/FFP ..............................................................................................................................................$430,000,000 WFP Pre-positioning funding $55,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust – 161,000 MT $84,000,000 P.L. 480 Title II emergency food commodities –105,000 MT $91,000,000 WFP Regional Purchase $200,000,000 USAID/OTI ..................................................................................................................................................$2,333,612 IOM ITI Country-wide $1,700,000 DAI ITI Country-wide $473,253 Internews Media Country-wide $160,359 STATE/PRM..............................................................................................................................................$36,630,000 UNHCR Emergency refugee assistance $21,000,000 ICRC Emergency assistance $10,000,000 IFRC Emergency assistance $3,000,000 IOM TCN – transportation assistance $2,630,000 RECONSTRUCTION USAID/ANE ..............................................................................................................................................$43,800,000 AFCAP Logistics $4,000,000 IRG Reconstruction Support $7,100,000 RTI Local Governance $7,900,000 CAII Education $1,000,000 UNICEF Health, Education $9,000,000 WHO Health $10,000,000 SSA Port Management $4,800,000 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003....................................................................... $524,128,857 TOTAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003 ........................................................................ $36,630,000 TOTAL STATE/USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003......................................................... $560,758,857