USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 13, 16 April 2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Iraq – Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet #13, Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 April 16, 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 187,719 in Arbil* 48,665 in Dahuk* 29,439 in As Sulaymaniyah* 30,000 in Badrah UNOHCI (April 13, 2003) UNOHCI (April 13, 2003) UNOHCI (April 13, 2003) UNHCR (April 12, 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 United Nations Development Program (UNDP) staff confirmed that the U.N.’s five-building compound in Baghdad was completely looted. All U.N. vehicles, information technology equipment, furniture, and files were lost. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rising temperatures, water, and sanitation concerns may lead to outbreaks of diarrheal diseases in Baghdad. Al Basrah Governorate On April 16, the Office of the U.N. Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD) conducted a security assessment of An Nasiriyah. On April 15, the first meeting of an estimated 80 Iraqi political and religious leaders took place near An Nasiriyah to begin discussing the structure of an indigenous Iraqi government. According to WFP, three main warehouses in Al Basrah contain more than 3,000 metric tons (MT) of food commodities. A meeting will be held with all 1,380 Food Agents in Al Basrah City in the coming week. A detailed International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assessment of eight hospitals in Baghdad released on April 12 indicated that the facilities incurred varying degrees of damage and looting; staff and the supply of medical goods continue to be of concern. Umm Qasr The U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delivered two water bladders on April 13 to Umm Qasr, and the community assisted UNICEF staff in building a platform for the water bladders. On April 15, during a follow-up visit, UNICEF noted that the community had also built a fence around the platforms to protect the water bladders. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 16, 2003 Northern Iraq Since March 31, WFP has delivered a total of 3,548 MT of wheat flour and 77 MT of dried milk to northern Iraq for distribution in Arbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah Governorates. Since April 6, WFP has distributed approximately 3,522 MT of wheat flour, some of which was drawn from pre-conflict stocks to assist approximately 384,000 beneficiaries in these three northern governorates. WHO assessments indicated that the level of water contamination in Arbil Governorate rose from 11.8 percent in February 2003 to 15.2 percent in March 2003. The report did not cite a specific cause for the change. UNICEF reported on April 14 that all schools in northern Iraq have reopened. UNICEF and the Directorate of Water plan to rehabilitate water and sanitation systems in 23 schools that were strained by IDPs. Central Iraq According to ICRC, electricity and water supplies have not yet been restored in Kirkuk. WHO reported that three hospitals in Kirkuk were partially looted and are operating at 25 percent capacity. Current Humanitarian Situation by Sector Food Security On April 16, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicated that Iraqi farmers are in need of fuel and spare parts for combines and tractors to harvest the spring crop. Pre-conflict FAO estimates based on satellite images indicated that the spring cereal production in Iraq, comprised of wheat and barley, may equal 2002 production levels. The estimated 1.7 MT of cereal commodities harvested each spring provide 30 percent of Iraq’s annual cereal requirements for one year. FAO also highlighted the impact of a successful spring harvest on access to basic food supplies, as well as rural economies. WFP’s national staff in Iraq report that offices and some warehouses have been looted in Baghdad, Mosul, and Kirkuk. WFP is trying to secure other warehouses. On April 14, WFP reported that core staff in Baghdad returned to work. Water According to UNICEF on April 15, the major concern in Az Zubayr is the two-week supply of chlorine that remains for water treatment activities, following recent looting. Prior to the conflict, a nine-month supply of chlorine had been located in the town. The chlorine factory located in Al Basrah, which had previously supplied southern regions, is currently on fire. UNICEF reported that the water pumping station was also looted. On April 15, UNICEF reported that a humanitarian convoy carrying 120,000 liters of water en route to Iraq’s Al Faw Peninsula from Iran is delayed at the Shalamcheh border crossing for bureaucratic reasons. UNICEF reports the convoy may cross into Iraq on April 16. 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 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. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 16, 2003 World Vision International (WVI) received $2.5 million from USAID/OFDA on April 15 to implement quick impact projects to benefit vulnerable Iraqis. USAID/FFP provided emergency food commodities through the Emerson Trust to WFP to meet the food needs of vulnerable Iraqis. USAID/FFP also provided P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance to WFP for distribution to food insecure Iraqis and cash to WFP 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 16, 2003 Other Donor and International Organization Assistance* 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 16, 2003 U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2003 EMERGENCY RELIEF USAID/OFDA ...........................................................................................................................................$46,954,845 Administrative Costs Administrative $2,872,259 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....................................................................... $524,088,457 TOTAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003 ........................................................................ $36,630,000 TOTAL STATE/USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003......................................................... $560,718,457