USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 27, 6 May 2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Iraq – Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet #27, Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 May 6, 2003 Background Humanitarian conditions deteriorated in Iraq following 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. On April 24, the U.N. Security Council approved an extension of WFP's management of the Oil-for-Food program from May 12 until June 3. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE SOURCE Internally Displaced in Iraq 87 in Arbil 1,817 in Dahuk 1,089 at Jordanian border (No Man’s Land) UNOHCI (April 29, 2003) UNOHCI (April 29, 2003) IOM (May 2, 2003) Refugees from Iraq 717 – Jordan Old caseload refugees: 204,000 – Iran 17,000 – Saudi Arabia (Urban) 5,200 – Saudi Arabia (Rafha) 250,000-300,000 – Jordan 60,000 – 70,000 – Syria IOM (April 30, 2003) UNHCR (April 2003) Baghdad On May 6, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that medical supplies and repaired medical equipment have been looted from the Rashad psychiatric hospital in Baghdad again, leading to the suspension of ICRC’s work at the hospital. Northern Iraq On May 5, the U.S. Government’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) reported that the local ministry responsible for reconstruction and development hosted the first sectoral coordination meeting on IDPs in Arbil, with participation from U.N. agencies, NGOs, DART, and Civil Affairs. The meeting concentrated on issues related to supporting the resettlement of an estimated 300 Kurdish families in the Makhmur district. At a health meeting in Arbil on May 4, Civil Affairs reported that the central medical distribution system in Kirkuk is intact and functioning. The distribution system to the Kirkuk hospitals and clinics is functioning, although some outlying areas report problems. Civil Affairs also reported that of the 13 hospitals in Mosul, seven are functioning. Current needs include equipment and medical supplies, as well as salaries for the staff. A priority in the Mosul medical community is to repair and renovate the infectious disease hospital. Last week, WFP international staff established a permanent presence in the three northern governorates for the first time since the U.N. evacuated staff due to the conflict. Western Iraq Since the DART’s last visit to Ar Rutbah on April 29, electricity has been restored and piped water has also slowly returned from the water line originating near Ar Ramadi. The water line from Al Qa’im remains disabled and a third line, coming from deep wells located 25 km south of Ar Rutbah, is also not functioning. CARE is addressing the repair of the deep well line with support from USAID/OFDA. Town officials say Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – May 6, 2003 primary humanitarian needs at this time are: water, food, and a public-awareness campaign on unexploded ordinance. On May 4, the DART accompanied U.N. Joint Logistics Cell staff and a group of Jordanian civil engineers to the site of a damaged bridge along Highway 10, approximately 15 km. east of Ar Rutbah. Until the bridge is repaired, it will impede transport, relief convoys, and humanitarian assistance efforts in western Iraq. The Jordanian engineers are drafting an assessment for the U.N. and the DART. Southern Iraq In Al Basrah, WFP has successfully retrieved documents indicating the 1.8 million people who received food assistance before the war. This information will be used to assist WFP in restarting the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the area. Current Humanitarian Situation by Sector Food The DART met with representatives of the Iraqi Ministry of Trade (MOT) and the World Food Program (WFP) on May 4 in Al Basrah to review the status of the public distribution system (PDS) for food rations and to explore options to carry out a major food distribution to Al Basrah by late May. Currently, there are several obstacles preventing the PDS from being fully functional including logistical and administrative concerns. The DART is working with the MOT and WFP to address these concerns. Shelter The U.N. Human Settlement Program (UN HABITAT) has opened a new office in Al Basrah to begin assessing conflict-damaged housing. UN HABITAT plans to soon establish operations in other urban centers in Iraq including Baghdad and Mosul. Water/Sanitation UNICEF has begun the procurement of chlorine and aluminum sulphate chemicals for water treatment in Baghdad and for the four southern governorates of Al Muthanna, Al Basrah, Dhi Qar, and Maysan. The quantities purchased will be sufficient for approximately 100 days of operation. UNICEF is also carrying out a study of chlorine needs throughout Iraq to determine additional chlorine requirements. USAID/OFDA is supporting UNICEF for emergency water systems in Iraq. U.S. Government Response (New information is underlined) Emergency Relief Since March 2003, the United States Government has deployed a multi-agency DART to the region to assess and respond to humanitarian needs and to help coordinate the emergency relief effort. In Iraq, the DART has established offices in Al Basrah, Arbil, and Baghdad. In addition, DART members are located in Kuwait, Jordan, Cyprus, and Qatar and are working closely with U.N. agencies, NGOs, and in coordination with U.S. Military Civil Affairs personnel at the Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC). USAID/OFDA is supporting U.N. and NGO emergency assistance activities through quick-impact projects and IDP support. USAID/OFDA supports projects in the sectors of agriculture, food security, health, logistics, nutrition, shelter, and water/sanitation. USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) is providing 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) is supporting the implementation of the Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI). The ITI program supports the process of political stabilization and community recovery in post- conflict Iraq by providing small grants designed to build confidence among Iraq's diverse ethnic groups, increase citizen participation in decision-making, and rapidly respond to community needs, while establishing and building trust for long term reconstruction efforts. The ITI program is implemented through Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) contributed assistance for the pre-positioning and emergency response activities of UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Reconstruction In addition to the emergency relief assistance provided through the DART by USAID and the Department of State, USAID’s Asia and Near East Bureau (USAID/ANE) has provided assistance for reconstruction activities in Iraq in a broad range of sectors. USAID supports reconstruction projects in education, governance, health, infrastructure, and logistics. USAID has also deployed staff to the region to begin reconstruction efforts. Several USAID administrative, governance, health, infrastructure, and education staff have established offices in Baghdad, with several other Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – May 6, 2003 personnel in Kuwait. USAID is assisting government ministries in becoming operational and public services to get restarted in Baghdad. On May 5, USAID announced a $2.5 million award to SkyLink Air and Logistic Support (USA) to provide technical expertise for the assessment and management of commercial airstrips in Iraq. USAID contractor Research Triangle Institute (RTI), working together with Baghdad city officials, has developed a possible new governance structure for Baghdad that will link citizens from neighborhood councils to district councils and to an overall city council. Other Donor and International Organization Assistance* DONOR US $ (MILLIONS) DATE (2003) ASSISTANCE SNAPSHOT Australia $62.5 April 22 U.N. agencies, ICRC, and NGOs Belgium $4.4 April 29 ICRC, UNICEF CIDA Canada $67.5 $3.8 March 26 ----- U.N. agencies including WFP, IOs, NGOs, CARE Canada for water and sanitation, food, shelter, and health Response to U.N. Preparedness Measures Appeal China March 27 Tents Republic of Croatia $2.75 April 3 Blankets, sleeping bags, flour, sugar, water purification disinfectants European $109.8 April 22 U.N. agencies, IOs, and NGOs Commission Finland $1.7 March 25 ICRC, UN OCHA, WFP France $10.7 Humanitarian Assistance Germany $50 May 5 UNHCR, WFP, ICRC Greece $4.3 April 4 U.N. agencies and NGOs Iceland $3.75 April 8 ICRC, NGOs, UNCHR, WFP 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 WFP, vehicles, Bilateral Assistance Korea $10 April 3 U.N. agencies and Korean NGOs Kuwait March 24 Food assistance 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 including WFP, IOs, and NGOs Norway $21.6 March 20 WFP, NGOs for humanitarian assistance Russia March 23 Assistance for refugees. Spain $58.6 April 22 U.N. agencies, bilateral refugee assistance, and NGOs Sweden $5.4 March 27 Switzerland $21.5 April 16 ICRC Taiwan $4.3 March 27 Refugee assistance – food, medicine, nonfood items United Kingdom $330 March 24 U.N. agencies including WFP, IOs, and NGOs – food, health kits, water units, winter supply kits, primary health, IDP assistance OTHER DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO DATE** .............................................................................................$970.8 MILLION *This compilation was drawn from donor government web sites and may represent pledged or committed funding. The list 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 as 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. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – May 6, 2003 *Fact Sheets can be obtained from the USAID web site at http://www.usaid.gov/iraq Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – May 6, 2003 U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2003 EMERGENCY RELIEF USAID/OFDA ...........................................................................................................................................$51,232,905 Administrative Administrative Costs Country-wide $3,406,209 AirServ Logistics Country-wide $2,151,585 The Cuny Center Research studies Country-wide $40,260 International Dispensary Association Health Country-wide $711,850 InterAction Coordination Kuwait City $92,860 IOM IDP programs Country-wide $5,000,000 IMC Capacity building Country-wide $202,900 Logistics Commodities and DART support Country-wide $8,044,110 SCF/US NGO Consortium Country-wide $883,131 UNICEF Health, nutrition, water/sanitation Country-wide $2,000,000 UNICEF 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 pre-positioning of food Country-wide $5,000,000 Cooperative Agreements IMC Quick-impact projects: Food Security, Health, Nutrition, Water/Sanitation Country-wide $4,000,000 Health Al Basrah, Maysan, and Wasit Health, Water/Sanitation An Nasiriyah IRC Quick-impact projects: Health, Water/Sanitation Country-wide $3,000,000 Mercy Corps Quick-impact projects: Health, Non- Food Items, Shelter, Water/Sanitation Country-wide $3,000,000 Water/Sanitation Kirkuk SCF/US Quick-impact projects: Food Security, Health, Shelter, Nutrition, Non-Food Items, Water/Sanitation Country-wide $4,000,000 World Vision Quick-impact projects: Health, Logistics, Non-Food Items Country-wide $2,500,000 CARE Quick-impact projects Country-wide $4,000,000 Water System Rehabilitation Al Anbar Blankets, Hygiene Kits Baghdad USAID/FFP ..............................................................................................................................................$430,000,000 WFP Pre-positioning funding Country-wide $55,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust – 161,000 MT Country-wide $84,000,000 WFP P.L. 480 Title II emergency food commodities – 105,000 MT Country-wide $91,000,000 WFP Regional Purchase Country-wide $200,000,000 USAID/OTI ..................................................................................................................................................$5,042,344 Administrative Administrative Costs Country-wide $708,732 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Country-wide $1,700,000 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Country-wide $2,473,253 Internews Media Country-wide $160,359 Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – May 6, 2003 U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2003 EMERGENCY RELIEF (cont.) STATE/PRM..............................................................................................................................................$36,630,000 UNHCR Emergency assistance Country-wide $21,000,000 ICRC Emergency assistance Country-wide $10,000,000 IFRC Emergency assistance Country-wide $3,000,000 IOM TCN – transportation assistance Country-wide $2,630,000 RECONSTRUCTION USAID/ANE ..............................................................................................................................................$90,900,000 ABT Health $10,000,000 AFCAP Logistics $4,000,000 Bechtel Capital Construction $34,600,000 IRG Reconstruction Support $7,100,000 RTI Local Governance $7,900,000 CAII Education Country-wide $1,000,000 UNICEF Health $8,000,000 UNICEF Education Country-wide $1,000,000 WHO Health $10,000,000 SSA Port Management $4,800,000 SkyLink Logistics $2,500,000 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003.......................................................................$577,175,249 TOTAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003 ........................................................................$36,630,000 TOTAL STATE/USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003.........................................................$613,805,249