iraq monthly update - february 2016 protection - Situations - UNHCR

IRAQ MONTHLY UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2016

PROTECTION

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS:

NEEDS ANALYSIS:

A total of 2,964 Syrians entered KR-I through the Pheshkabour border post during the reporting period, however, only 18 persons were permitted to register their asylum application due to restriction imposed by the authorities and the issuance of 15 days entry visas. The Asayish regularization instruction for Syrian refugees living in the KRI, and who entered prior to 1 March 2016, have been finalized. When taking effect, it is expected that the registration of Syrians refugees entering on 15 days visas, and those seeking re-admission will be completely halted. This will severely impact on the ability of those in need of protection to register asylum applications with UNHCR. An individual was deported on the 16th of February for having insulted the KDP leadership after serving an 8 months prison sentence. The deportation decision was taken by security. In Sulaymaniyah governorate, the courts are not fully operational due to the non-payment of salaries. The Courts are only open 2 – 3 days a week resulting in a backlog of cases. UNHCR protection teams referred vulnerable cases for inclusion in the food assistance list. However, preliminary findings in Domiz I and Akre suggest that less than 2% of these vulnerable persons have received positive feedback from WFP. UNHCR’s disability mission held FGDs with refugees and visited different local service providers to strengthen the response to these vulnerable refugees through existing humanitarian response programs across sectors. In Al Obaidy Camp, ISIS instructed UIMS staff to close PHCC in the camp and the ambulance service. The UIMS staff is not allowed to enter the camp. There is no basic medical care in Al-Obaidy Camp.

There are 5,671 asylum-seekers in Akre and Gawilan camps whose residency cards expired on 21st of January; in addition to about 700 to 800 new arrivals who are still waiting for the issuance of residency cards. 311 persons are still waiting for decisions by resettlement countries following their submission for resettlement consideration in 2015 whilst 218 persons accepted for resettlement in 2015 are still pending departure. In Sulaymaniyah governorate, refugees’ access to basic medical care is restricted as many government health facilities are closed due to strikes. Persons with disabilities addressed the need to strengthen and mainstreaming persons with disabilities in all the sectors of response and their participation in decision-making. UNHCR conducted a meeting with the Head of Women Section of its partner CDO. CDO highlighted the need of capacity building for their new community services staff, especially on general protection, community services and SGBV.

Child Protection Inter-Agency review continued on SOPs regarding CP case management. 155 persons (staff, local government staff, local NGO state, community members) were trained in CP approaches by UNICEF, amongst them were 49 Case Management Workers. SGBV More men have accessed SGBV services (203 men and boys compared to 433 women) due to the non-discriminatory and discrete services provided by community centres. RSD/RST To respond to the increased resettlement allocation for Syrian refugees in the KR-I, additional staff resources have been deployed to the Governorates to speed up case identification and referrals. The high rate of acceptance decisions continued, 28 cases comprising of 101 persons were accepted for resettlement. Resettlement departures remained steady with 25 persons traveling to Sweden and 4 persons to the UK. Leading Agencies: UNHCR Jacqueline Parlevliet, [email protected]

Recent photo

Celebration of International Women day in Kawergosk refugee camp, Erbil,

IRAQ RESPONSE INDICATORS: February 2016

Total Assisted

1,118 (597 in February) individuals trained on child protection & SGBV

1,131

2,220

562 (462 in February) individuals reached with community mobilization,…562 1755(844 in February)WGBM who have knowledge of, access to, and benefit…1,755 2,243(688 in February) persons receiving SGBV services

2,243

3,351

507,938

508,500

72,495

74,250

11,627

908 (292 in February) of girls and boys participating in structured, sustained…908 683(518 in February)of girls and boys who are survivors or at risk receiving…

13,870

44,720 683

45,628

4,805

127 (51 in February) Syrian refugees submitted for resettlement or… 127

5,488

3,073

166,018 (1,418 in February) Syrian refugees (above 7 years old) with updated…

3,200

166,018

246,051 (1,372 in February) Syrian refugees registered or awaiting registration

83,982 246,051

0%

End-Year Targets

Planned Response, by end-2015

20%

40%

250,000 3,949

60%

80%

250,000

100%

Planned response based on full funding of 3RP for an expected direct beneficiary population of 250,000 Syrian refugees and 1.5 million members of impacted local communities by end-2015. There are currently 246,051 Syrian refugees registered by UNHCR (39% in camps and 61% out of camps).

response based on full funding of 3RP for an expected direct beneficiary population of 250,000 Syrian refugees and 1.5 million members of impacted locommunities


FOOD NEEDS ANALYSIS:

46,608 Syrian refugees received food assistance

Funding shortfalls have already led to the implementation of targeting in order to provide adequate assistance to the Syrian refugees currently staying in camps in Iraq.

Modalities of food distribution:

• Food vouchers : in 8 camps (Domiz 1&2, Arbat, Basirma, Darashakran, Gawilan, Kawergosk and Qushtapa).

• Unrestricted cash: pilot distribution at Akre Castle camp.

However, targeting comes with many difficulties as individual situations can change rapidly. For example, those previously noted as working and therefore ineligible to receive assistance may now be unable to do so. This means that assessments are continually ongoing in order to ascertain levels of food security.

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS: 46,608 Syrian refugees received much-needed assistance throughout February 2016. In the 9 refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I), most eligible refugees received food vouchers.

Pilot distributions of unrestricted cash through the use of electronic SCOPE cards started in February. The pilot distributions began on 8 February in Akre, Dohuk governorate, and reached approximately 811 Syrian refugees.

The SCOPE system was rolled out in two additional refugee camps, Gawilan and Arbat, during the February distribution cycle. SCOPE e-voucher cards were topped-up for entitlements in the Kawergosk and Darashakran refugee camps, following the launch of SCOPE in those camps last month.

Aug 2015 - Present

$10

$19

$19 Feb-Jul 2015

$28.2

$31

Food Voucher Value

Jan 2015

Under the pilot, which is being implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), refugees are receiving cash assistance through money transfer agents. This modality will be scaled up in the coming months.

201 4

Extremely food insecure Syrian refugees in the Akre castle refugee camp received USD 19 per person in the February distribution cycle, while moderately food insecure families received USD 10 per person. This in line with the targeting principles used to distribute e-vouchers to refugees in other camps in the KR-I, and was managed using the SCOPE system.

WFP/Mohammed al-Bahbahani

* Tiered approach continued in Feb 2016:  1,288 individuals received US $19 paid in IQD  45,320 individuals received US$10 paid in IQD  811 individuals received unrestricted cash

The Syrian refugee operation in Iraq has a six-month net funding requirement of USD 7.4 million from February until July 2016. This is the amount WFP needs to continue assisting Syrian refugees in Iraq for the next six months.

Total Assisted

IRAQ RESPONSE INDICATORS: FEBRUARY 2016 Lead Agencies: WFP, [email protected], FAO, Fadel El-Zubi, fadel [email protected]

The introduction of unrestricted cash distributions is likely to bring new challenges. While refugees are afforded more freedom and greater dignity by being given cash, security will have to remain vigilant during such distributions. Monitoring and evaluation of the cash will also need to be carefully scrutinised.


End-Year Target

# of individuals receiving food & agricultural livelihoods support

50,500

# of individuals who receive food assistance (cash, voucher or in-kind)

50,500

46,608 0%

20%

Planned response based on full funding of 3RP for an expected direct beneficout of camps).

31,892 40%

60%

80%

78,500

100%

Planned response based on full funding of 3RP for an expected direct beneficiary population of 250,000 Syrian refugees and 1.5 million members of impacted local communities by end-2016. There are currently 246,051 Syrian refugees registered by UNHCR.

IRAQ MONTHLY UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2016 EDUCATION NEEDS ANALYSIS:


Continued delays in teachers’ incentives has led to hardship and debt, as well as demotivation among unpaid teachers. Teachers themselves note that they are less motivated and that the quality of their teaching has declined.

In Dohuk 140 teachers were trained, including 62 female and 78 male teachers, on healing classroom principles, classroom management topics. Education partner’s social workers carried out 3 mentoring visits with school counsellors in Dohuk to review cases, discuss referral mechanisms, and to create action plans. Parenting skills groups were implemented and training with 79 Syrian refugee parents in Sulaymaniyah (49 parents) and Dohuk (29 parents), included 10 men and 68 women. Additionally, 144 trips (6 buses per day) to transport 121 kids from Domiz 2 camp, and Domiz community to attend schools in Domiz 1 camp.

More refugee families are considering migrating to Europe; among them are teachers. Many schools have decreased enrolment rates since the beginning of the school year; headmasters notice students are leaving for Europe or to return to Syria.

Education learning and teaching materials were distributed to 9 schools in Dohuk, four schools in Sulaymaniyah, and 11 schools in Erbil.

In Sulaymaniyah and Erbil brief focus group discussions were conducted with teachers in camp and urban schools to better understand how the lack of incentives has affected teachers and their desire to stay or leave the teaching profession. Erbil education programme in Daratu established remedial classes for 15 secondary children, and the distribution of winter clothing for 210 children.

Children (6-14 years) attending primary schools in camps Al-Obaidi

Arbat

301

Qushtapa

Kawergosk Darashakran

69% 93% 80%

332

2,130

Gawilan

64 287

1,744

Akre

Domiz 1&2

64%

828 1,138

164

84% 93%

357

100%

1,565

100%

7,230

Attendance in School

Host community Schools

Camp schools

50%

47%

50%

Girls

53%

There continues to be a lack of systematized quality non-formal education options for children who have spent multiple years out of school.

Boys

IRAQ RESPONSE INDICATORS: FEBRUARY 2016

399

Basirma

Percentage of girls and boys enrolled in School

Total Assisted

% attendance 168

909

@UNICEF/IRAQ/Mackenzie

Other obstacles where refugee children are not obtaining access or quality education are attributed to transportation to and from schools continues to be a challenge for students who are living in urban areas. In some schools, there is not a sufficient number of text books for refugee students. Schools are running at or above capacity, and there is not space for additional children to enroll; thus many displaced children remain out-of-school. Secondary formal education opportunities for refugee children in Daratu area are lacking.

78%

Gap

Education Cluster: Karly Kupferberg ([email protected]) and Arulrajah Sriskandarajah ([email protected]); KRI-G Ministry of Education Dashty Omar Kadir

# of educational facilities constructed, renovated or rehabilitated # of children (3-17) (b/g) receiving school supplies or supported through cash grants # of education personnel (m/f) trained # of youth, adolescents and adults (m/f) accessing vocational training or higher education # of targeted children (5-17) (b/g) enrolled in non-formal or informal education or and life-skills # of targeted children (5-17) (b/g) enrolled in formal education (primary or secondary) 3 (0 in Feb.) of targeted children (under 5 years old) (b/g) enrolled in Early childhood Education

End-Year Target

Planned Response by end-2016

11

246

10,932

257 41,762

140

52,694

3,735

3,875 -

31,580

31,580 1,278

1,122

2,400 30,501

3 0%

12,293

42,794

12,597 10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100% 12,600



HEALTH NEEDS ANALYSIS:

34,938 consultations are provided to the Syrian Refugees in primary health care services

• Partners face increasing constrains to raise the needed funds to maintain health services for refugees. Continued support for health care services provided by the Ministry of Health and humanitarian actors is a key priority to prevent excess morbidity and mortality among the displaced Syrian populations. • Medicines shortage is a key concern in public health facilities due to financial crisis. Continued support to MoH/DoH is a priority to ensure the availability of essential medicines.

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS: • A total of 30,860 patient consultations (acute and chronic conditions) were conducted in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in refugee camps (source UNHCR HIS-Health Information System). This translates an average patient consultation rate of 4.3 consultations/ person/ year was registered in February which is slightly above the expected range of 1-4 consultations. This increase is related to an increase in upper respiratory infections with the onset of winter. Major cause for patient consultations remained upper respiratory tract infections, skin infections and urinary tract infection. 985 patients were referred to secondary and tertiary hospitals for further investigations and/ or hospitalization. During the same period , 1,143 patients attended mental healthcare services. • With the support from UNICEF/WHO, National polio immunization campaign has been conducted in Iraq by Directorate of Health (DoH) in each governorate for five days targeting Syrian refugees as well. Results of campaign revealed a good success with 98.5% coverage in Duhok (9,799 U5 Syrian children vaccinated), 93.1% coverage in Sulaymaniyah (2,823 U5 Syrian children vaccinated) and 98% coverage in Erbil (10,748 U5 Syrian children vaccinated). • In order to improve mental health services and follow up on recommendations from last UNHCR/WHO mission on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), UNHCR has recruited a MHPSS consultant who will works with MoH/DoH and implementing partners to strengthen coordination mechanisms in MHPSS and enhance quality of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Primary Healthcare programmes. • In Obaidy camp, Anbar governorate, Primary Health Care Centre has closed due to security concern.

Utilisation rate

4.5

4.2

4

3.9

3


End-Year Total Assisted Planned Response, by end-2016 Target # of children under 1 in camps immunized 762 5,388 6,150 against measles

Monthly health care utilisation rates 2015/2016

5

3.5

PU-AMI laboratory technician is working in Gawilan camp PHC. February, 2016

4.3

# of children receiving polio vaccination 4.4 3.7

3.8

66,626

4.5

4.1 3.8

3,374

3.7

# of health care staff trained

52

973

3.4

2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Health utilisation rate 2015

3.0

2.6

2.7

Health utilisation rate 2016

# of health facilities supported 15

138 # referrals of target population to secondary or tertiary healthcare services

2,200

9,800 12,000

# of consultations for target population in primary health care services

68,710 0%

Leading Agencies: Ministry of Health (MoH - KRI) UNHCR, Dr. Mohammed Marzoog, [email protected] WHO, Dr. Muhammad Fawad Khan, [email protected]

1,025

123

Normal range (min.) Normal range (max.)

70,000

262,290 50%

331,000 100%



SHELTER


NEEDS ANALYSIS:

The overall situation of the sector: Total shelter capacity of Syrian refugee camps is 19,060 shelter units. A total of 15,861 (83%) improved shelter units are constructed (provided with concrete slab, kitchen, family latrine and shower) and 14,238 are occupied. More than 14,000 refugee households (about 69,000 persons) are benefiting from improved shelter assistance in the camps.

The objective of the sector is to provide adequate and targeted shelter support to Syrian refugees living in camps and out of camp, in order to meet their shelter and settlement needs.

A total of 2,640 shelter units is planned as part of 3RP 2016.

Number of Improved Shelter Units (Concrete Slabs, Kitchen, Family Latrine and Shower) / Camp

Shelters Improvement in Gawilan camp, Duhok. UNHCR/Hussein

IRAQ RESPONSE INDICATORS: FEBRUARY 2016 Darashakran

Basirma

646

Qushtapa

Kawergosk

Total Asssisted

2,480

1,259

809

55

# HH outside of camps receiving assistance for shelter and shelter upgrades

# HH in camps receiving assistance for shelter and shelter upgrades

10,395

11,525

283 0%

Domiz 1

5,060

Domiz 2

Sulaymaniyah

50%

100%

1,714

1,850

Arbat

Currently due to lack of funds and given that camps are priority the main focus of the shelter sector is the refugee camps. However, there are needs for the out of camp refugee population such as upgrading of dwellings, rental support and support to community infrastructure. The assistance to out of camp refugee will be based on vulnerability of refugee families. The assistance will be provided in close consultation with local authority and on conditions that the landlord does not increase the rent and evict the refugee families. However there is limited fund available to support out of camp refugee families.

265

Arbat Basirma

-

Qushtapa

-

Kawergosk

-

Darashakran

-

Akre Settlement

-

2,048 694

1,426 Erbil

Gawilan

8,800

8,800

480

887

Akre

End-Year Target


There is need to construct 3,733 new improved shelter plots in Gawilan, Kawergosk, Basirma and Qushtapa. Out of which construction of 2,640 improved plots is planned in 2016 subject to availability of fund. Moreover, even after completing the construction of improved shelter units that there is space for, a total of additional 568 shelter units will be required to accommodate all refugee families that currently live in Erbil camps.

1,739 Available Space

1,696

367 Implemented

Duhok

Gap


Leading Agencies: UNHCR, Pankaj Kumar Singh, [email protected]; BRHA (Bureau of Relief and Humanitarian Affairs, Duhok, KR-I), Erbil Refugee Council (ERC) and MoDM (Ministry of Migration and Displacement, IRQ).

283 1,947

Gawilan Domiz 2

-

Domiz 1

-

Plots

2,480

2,048

Al-Obaidy

Available Space (tents) per Camp in KR-I

3,564

1,426 5,060


Basic Needs

Basic Needs Assistance (cash and in-kind) during February 2016:  275 households received Basic Needs Assistance (Core Relief Items)  9493 households received 2nd round winter fuel support and 1706 HHs received Non-food item winter support

NEEDS ANALYSIS: Sulaymaniyah: Sulaimaniyah is experiencing electricity cuts which will affect the protection and wellbeing of the Syrian refugees, particularly those residing in camp that does not have access to backup generators. This also affects the water supply as the pumps also require electricity. A solution is required as a minimum to ensure continuation of the water supply.

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS: Winter support to Refugees across KR-I both in and out of camp continued in February. The second round of kerosene distribution of 200 liters per household intended to provide heating for January and February continued.

A total of 9,493 households received winter fuel support during the month while a further 1,706 receive winter support in the form of none food items:Duhok: 83 HH in-kind kerosene out of camp UNHCR 1,569 HH in-kind kerosene out of camp German PWJ 1,771 HH cash for kerosene out of camp UNICEF/Tearfund

Erbil: In Basirma camp DRC is awaiting UNHCR's approval of CRI distribution to new arrivals.

Erbil: 6,070 HH in-kind kerosene in camp UNHCR Extra kerosene distribution for vulnerable families in Darashakran refugee camp, Erbil. March 2016, UNHCR/ O.Zhdanov

Sulaymaniyah: No distribution for winter as winter assistance distribution was completed in January when 1,886 HHs were assisted. Additionally for winter support in Basirma camp 362 families received XPS floor insulation panels from UNHCR. In Gawilan SCF distributed kerosene heaters to 1363 households. UNICEF/Acted distributed children's clothes to 204 HHs and in Domiz 1 the international Islamic Charity Organisation of Qatar in coordination with the camp management distributed 200 kerosene stoves. 275 CRI kits were distributed to newly arrived families and 342 individuals reunified with their families received mattresses. In Duhok UNHCR through QANDIL distributed additional kitchen sets to 2567 HHs of families above 6 members and replacement CRI's to 9 families whose shelters were storm damaged.

Duhok: Reports an on-going requirement for fire extinguishers in all refugee camps as well as a fire truck for Domiz2. Hygiene kits in all camps 216 trash bins in Domiz2 and construction of shading at distribution points for none camp refugees. Refugees again highlighted their preference for cash assistance rather than in-kind assistance, particularly out of camp where some families claim that the cost of travelling to distribution centres outweighs the value of the items distributed. Field teams monitoring outside the camps report that refugees have informed them that due to the lack of job opportunities and the fact that WFP is not providing food assistance to refugees outside camps they are considering relocation, particularly making attempts to travel to Europe where they feel they will have more opportunities.

IRAQ RESPONSE INDICATORS: FEBRUARY 2016 Total Assisted

26,658 (11,199 in Feb.) households receiving seasonal support through cash or in-kind assistance

Winter assistance ( Kersone in-kind and cash) Number of household (HH) beneficiaries/locations Sulaymaniyah 1,886

Duhok 10,940

# of households receiving unconditional, sector-specific or emergency cash assistance Erbil 12,135

End-Year Target


26,658

-

38,745

6,110 (3,026 in Feb.) households receiving core relief items in-kind

38,745

6,110

0%

53,218

26,560

10%

20%

11,890

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

18,000 80%

90%

100%


Leading Agency:UNHCR, Roger Naylor, [email protected]; Co-leading agency: ACTED. Participating Agencies:

E.R.C.

IRAQ MONTHLY UPDATE - February 2016

WASH NEEDS ANALYSIS:

Across Iraq, 96,290 Syrian refugees living in 10 camps continued to benefit from routine access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. 1,405 Syrian refugees and host community members living off camp benefited from access to safe water and sanitation facilities and services. 6,306 Syrian Refugee children in camp schools and CFS benefitted from access to functional latrines.

With ongoing electricity shortages increased generator use is necessary. Government partners cannot however sustain fuel cost for this, seriously hampering continued water supply for camp, off camp and host communities Impact is already being felt in Erbil, where water supply is significantly reduced in all camps due to reduced pumping, distribution frequency.

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS: Duhok (Domiz I and II, Akre and Gawilan): Daily water supply, including trucking in low pressure areas, routine O&M of facilities, waste collection continued. In Akre installation of flowmeters, network maintenance, drilling of a new borehole, construction of pump house and installation of a 2,150 meter pipeline to the camp were completed. In Domiz I, 33 new latrines (15 for people with disabilities) were constructed, 30 (of a planned 50) holding tanks were completed, connected to existing latrines. 10 pits were decommissioned. Construction of 742 mtrs of open channel (roadside, behind tents), installation of 907 mtrs of drainage pipes was completed. In Gawilan, maintenance of black water cesspools, hygiene promotion, community/school cleaning campaigns continued.

Impact is being felt in other camps, and water supply capacity expected to reduce further in the coming months.

Erbil (Basirma, Darashakran, Kawergosk and Qushtapa): Daily water supply, water quality monitoring, O&M of facilities, garbage collection, de-sludging continued. In Basirma, the Reverse Osmosis Unit is now operational and water trucking has been completely stopped. In Kawergosk, the water supply network is completed and water trucking also stopped. Due to public power supply shortages, lack of Government funds for fuel to run standby generators, water supply in all camps has reduced to an average of 66 ltrs/person/day. In all camps camp cleaning days were organised and service numbers distributed to the refugees for reporting urgent problems.

This situation will be particularly challenging in the upcoming summer. Efficient use, conservation of water remains an area in which community advocacy is required. Water losses due to overflow of storage tanks without floating control valves remains a pending issue.

Sulaymaniyah (Arbat): Regular household level water supply continued. There are plans to install a second pipeline to increase water quantity from the boreholes. Garbage collection, O&M of water points, latrines and showers continued. Hygiene promotion, cleaning campaigns and comprehensive WASH in the upgraded section are planned. Anbar (Al-Obaidy): Access remained limited. Service provision continued, including: regular water supply, still unchlorinated due to security restrictions on chlorine provision; repair and maintenance of latrines and bathrooms and garbage collection.


ACCESS TO SAFE WATER SUPPLY IN CAMPS: FEBRUARY 2016 110

Average water supply (litter/person/day)

Total Assisted

WASH Cluster Minimum Standard (50 litter/person/day)

72

75

# of target beneficiaries with access to adequate quantity of safe water

80 60

55

Basirma

97,807

# of individuals benefiting from improved access to adequate quantity of safe water

50

25

Qushtapa

End-Year Targets


162,481

260,288

3,710

100,000

76

49

Kawergosk Darashakran

Basirma Camp/ Erbil, Recently installed Reverse Osmosis unit. Eng. Mazin Rajab. UNICEF. February 2016.

Domiz 1

Domiz 2

Leading Agency: UNICEF. Contact: Annmarie Swai: [email protected] Directorate of Surrounding Water, KR-I

Gawilan

Akre

Arbat

96,290

# of target beneficiaries with access to appropriate sanitation facilities and services

102,681

118,509

221,190

# of beneficiaries who have experienced a hygiene promotion session

96,290

101,310

197,600

Al-Obaidi
