USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 16, 21 April 2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Iraq – Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet #16, Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 April 21, 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 1,000 at Al Karama border with Jordan UNOHCI (April 16, 2003) UNOHCI (April 16, 2003) UNOHCI (April 16, 2003) UNOHCI (April 17, 2003) UNHCR (April 20, 2003) Refugees from Iraq U.S. Committee for Refugees (2001) Old caseload refugees: 203,000 – Iran 5,100 – Saudi Arabia 250,000-300,000 – Jordan 40,000 – Syria *Estimates of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in public buildings, with host families, and in open air. Baghdad and Baghdad Governorate On April 18, Medical Emergency Relief International (MERLIN) announced it resumed operations in the city of Baghdad after several weeks’ closure due to a lack of security and access. MERLIN anticipates sending a second team of doctors, logisticians, and a medical coordinator to Baghdad in the next week along with shipments of drugs and medical supplies. MERLIN will assess the status of Baghdad’s primary and secondary healthcare facilities in addition to conducting nutritional assessments of therapeutic feeding services in the city. On April 19, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that the restoration of essential services, especially electricity, water, sewage, and health systems was the most urgent need in Baghdad city at this time. The ICRC said that restoring electricity in Baghdad would double the amount of running water available and reduce the need for water to be transported by tankers to hospitals and health centers. An April 17 and April 18 assessment of Baghdad Governorate hospitals by the ICRC revealed varying levels of operational capacity and security. The Al Yarmouk General Hospital has a fully functional emergency unit; however, surgical cases are being referred to other hospitals, as there is no operating theater. The Medical City Hospital and the Al Karama General Hospital are two other major hospitals in Baghdad that are secure, but not yet operating at full capacity. Several other hospitals in Baghdad are short of supplies, medical personnel, or have security constraints. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on April 20 that a truck carrying 1,000 blankets, 300,000 packages of oral-rehydration salts, anesthetics, and emergency health kits for 10,000 people departed Jordan on April 20 en route to Al-Kindi Hospital. The U.N. Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UNOHCI) reported on April 20 that following an appeal by religious leaders, people have started returning stolen medicines and materials to hospitals throughout Baghdad, which has become the main supply source for the hospitals. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 21, 2003 Northern Iraq UNOHCI reported on April 20 that facilitated returns for IDPs who remain in Arbil, Dahuk and As Sulaymaniyah are currently on hold pending improved security conditions in areas of return. The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) reported on April 21 that it has removed or destroyed more than 11,000 landmines and 200,000 unexploded shells, bombs, and missiles in Iraq. A MAG assessment team entered Kirkuk on April 10, and teams are currently working near Kirkuk. Twenty-nine teams with the Mine Action Program (MAP) of the U.N. Office for Project Services (UNOPS) conducted mine risk education activities throughout Arbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah between March 18 and April 15. The teams permanently marked a total of 27 minefields. During April 19 and 20, UNICEF delivered 11 metric tons (MT) of medical supplies and water pumps to assist vulnerable populations in northern Iraq. Southern Iraq The ICRC reports that electricity and water supplies in Al Basrah city have been restored to about 60 percent of pre-conflict capacities. UNICEF reported on April 20 that eight primary schools re-opened in Safwan for the first time since the conflict began. In order to assist the 3,200 children and 80 teachers in these schools, UNICEF delivered 40 schools-in-a-box containing learning and teaching supplies. In addition, UNICEF delivered 500,000 liters of potable water to Al Basrah and six MT of high protein biscuits to assist malnourished children in Safwan, Umm Qasr, and Az Zubayr. Current Humanitarian Situation by Sector Food On April 20, the first sizeable U.N. food convoy, consisting of 50 trucks and 1,400 MT of wheat flour, arrived in Baghdad. According to WFP, it is preparing the first test convoy to transport 200 MT of vegetable oil from Kermanshah in Iran to As Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq. Health On April 18, the World Health Organization (WHO) recanted earlier reports indicating all Baghdad medical supply warehouses being looted and destroyed. WHO now believes that at least five of the warehouses, including some with drugs, medical supplies, and equipment, remain intact, and plans to visit each warehouse to inventory remaining stocks. Humanitarian Assistance The U.S. Government Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) reported that an inter-nongovernmental organization (NGO) Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) started in An Nasiriyah on April 17 and is expected to last for several days. Participating NGOs include Mercy Corps International, the International Rescue Committee, Norwegian Relief Committee, and GOAL. The rapid assessment is the first major inter-NGO assessment within Iraq. A Mercy Corps International survey coordinator in Kuwait City will input the assessment data into the RAP database for export to the U.N.’s Humanitarian Information Center (HIC). ICRC flew the first non-military flight into Baghdad on April 20 carrying an estimated 15 new ICRC staff to replace those who remained in Baghdad throughout the conflict. ICRC intends to begin regular air operations to Baghdad on April 24, pending approval from the Coalition Forces’ Regional Air Movement Coordination Center (RAMCC). Population Movements According to the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on April 20, more than 1,000 people have fled to the Al Karama border crossing with Jordan during the past few days, seeking humanitarian assistance. UNHCR reported 641 refugees fled the Al Tash refugee camp located 120 kilometers west of Baghdad, which housed over 12,000 Iranian Kurds, following reported attacks on the camp. The displaced population includes Iraqis, Jordanians, Syrians, more than 600 Iranian Kurds, and Palestinians who report that Iraqi groups have targeted Palestinians living in the Bijii and Balediyat neighborhoods of Baghdad. UNHCR reported minor respiratory problems and dehydration among the displaced population due to dust and weather conditions. UNHCR has requested that the Government of Jordan (GOJ) promptly allow the displaced to enter Jordanian refugee camps. During the current conflict, the GOJ has allowed six Iraqis to enter Jordan. UNOCHI reported on April 20 that 747 former Iraqi soldiers who surrendered to local authorities and were sheltered at the UNOPS-sponsored Ashkawtawan Camp have returned to their places of origin. The camp is now empty. U.S. Government Response Deployment The United States Government deployed a 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 Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 21, 2003 working closely with U.N. agencies, NGOs, and in coordination with U.S. Military Civil Affairs personnel at the Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC). On March 16, USAID deployed 24 staff to the region to prepare for reconstruction efforts. Members of DART Team North arrived in Arbil on April 18, and will use Arbil as the center of operations in northern Iraq. Members of Team North are traveling to As Sulaymaniyah on April 21, and remaining Team North members will travel from Kuwait to Arbil by air in the near future. They plan to stay in a hotel in Arbil located in close proximity to the Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC), U.N., and NGO offices. Seven members of DART Team South are traveling to An Nasiriyah on April 21. Six DART members departed Kuwait on April 21 for a four-day security assessment of Karbala, Al Kut, and Al Basrah. The Director of the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA), Jay Garner, and ORHA staff members arrived in Baghdad early on April 21, and participated in his first walk-through of a hospital. One DART member accompanied Jay Garner to Baghdad. 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 UNHCR and the 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. As part of the USG contingency plan for Iraq, USAID’s Asia and Near East Bureau (USAID/ANE) began the process for limited competitive procurement for eight contracts, including seaport management, airport management, logistics, capital construction, education, local governance, health, and staff support. Emergency Relief USAID/OFDA is supporting NGO emergency assistance activities with quick-impact projects and IDP support. 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 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (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. USAID/ANE also supported Bechtel National, Incorporated for emergency infrastructure repair and rehabilitation. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 21, 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 $22.5 April 9 ICRC, UNICEF, CARE, Première Urgence, and OCHA for Commission medical, water and sanitation, health, and coordination. Finland $1.7 March 25 ICRC and UN OCHA 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 Sweden $5.4 March 27 Switzerland $21.5 April 16 ICRC Taiwan $4.3 March 27 Refugee assistance – food, medicine, nonfood items 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**........................................................................................$792 MILLION *This compilation was drawn from donor government web sites 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 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. *Fact Sheets can be obtained from the USAID web site at http://www.usaid.gov/iraq Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet – April 21, 2003 U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2003 EMERGENCY RELIEF USAID/OFDA ...........................................................................................................................................$47,241,678 Administrative Costs Administrative $3,159,092 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 pre-positioning 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 Iraq Transition Initiative Country-wide $1,700,000 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative 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 ..............................................................................................................................................$78,400,000 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 $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....................................................................... $557,975,290 TOTAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003 ........................................................................ $36,630,000 TOTAL STATE/USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003......................................................... $594,605,290