APPENDIX 2
Memorandum submitted by a Forum of International
Non-Governmental Organisations working in Northern Iraq
In response to the press release dated 4 February
2003, which has just come to our notice, and as part of the international
humanitarian efforts in Northern Iraq funded by DFID, we welcome
the inquiry and we would like to make the following observations.
As a body, we have been concerned about the
potential humanitarian disasters waiting to happen should the
plans for military action against Iraq go ahead. However we have
no real knowledge of any contingency plan by the UK Government
in the event of such a profound and complex humanitarian crisis'
which is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of people in the
region . Those of us funded for longer term rehabilitation projects
in the field have been actively trying to get a picture of the
nature and extent of any contingency plans for assisting the families
likely to be affected but to no avail as yet
We do not know the full extent of the United
Nations' contingency plans as they are reticent to discuss this
issue with us for fear of reprisals. Moreover, the UN seems to
be already relocating staff though the process of limiting re-entry,
furloughing to key staff and sending others on extended leave.
Several UN international staff have been withdrawn and are waiting
in Jordan. This has caused anxiety and unrest in a region which
has always been sensitive to international personnel movement
and is adversely affecting the market economy. Any departing convoys
are likely to cause panic and mass movement for which there is
little practical preparation.
Due to the reduced funding by DFID and other
donors, many INGOs, although prepared to deal with the looming
humanitarian crisis, are caught between the desperate need to
respond and the limitations of their budget. Without urgent clarification
by donors and the release of funding now, there will be limited
ability by agencies to respond.
The capacity of the Local Authorities to respond
to the developing crisis is again limited by their lack of funding,
non-existing infrastructures and poorly developed systems. In
certain ways they are dependent on the UN (eg medicine via WHO,
Food basket via WFP) and on the INGOs as well as a handful of
local NGOs for implementation of other aspects of the relief initiatives.
However in recent months, INGOs have been meeting
on a regular basis to assess needs and develop an emergency preparedness
outline programme. Progress has been made through workshops and
sectoral meetings in attempting to formulate a practical strategic
approach. We believe that whilst this plan has been to date a
largely paper exercise, hampered by lack of knowledge of donors'
contingency strategies, it should form the basis for any international
intervention, harnessing the expertise of INGOs but building up
the ownership and responsibilities of the local authorities. The
involvement of local NGOs is crucial for sustainability and community
involvement. To date LNGOs have tended to work as contractual
construction partners. However, some have developed to incorporate
social and humanitarian awareness in their programmes.
Generally the local population have limited
coping and crisis management strategies and more than 60% of the
general population is reliant on the WFP food basket, provided
under SCR 986 "Food for Oil" programme of the UN. A
dependency culture has long existed and when threatened, families
tend to move rather than try for survival in place. There already
exist, some 900,000 families who have been internally displaced
by conflicts. Resettlement and rehabilitation programmes have
gone some way to alleviate their plight but at best these are
slow and ad hoc.
IMPLICATIONS OF
MILITARY ACTION
We expect and fear that at the start of any
perceived military action, there will be two types of population
movement. Firstly, there is the likelihood of an intense influx
into the Suleimania region from the area of Kirkuk. Secondly,
that there will be an exodus from the region towards the border
points and that the wide spread landmine problem will only worsen
the situation in which IDPs, will find themselves as they seek
safety.
Whilst sites for camps have been identified
for both, these camps have no water and sanitation facilities
adequate to deal with the expected large numbers. Health, food
security, shelter and the needs of vulnerable groups are the other
issues which need to be considered. Again, without adequate UN
planning and participation, there is a risk that the meagre resources
available, will be ill placed and unplanned.
It is expected that there will be wide spread
disruption to essential services. Questions need to be asked as
to the ability of the local health services to provide basic health
care during such a critical period; and emergency triage operations
for expected but incalculable casualties. Should there be a long
drawn out military action, most of the locations will become inaccessible
for humanitarian assistance. The fear of possible chemical attacks
is a major issue which would contaminate water and affect other
services.
Communications are expected to be in-operable
at any given moment. It should be noted that electricity supplies,
whilst adequate at present are at risk of being interrupted. The
generation of electricity by diesel has been halted in Suleimania
due to fuel shortages. There being little natural fuel resources,
the whole population is dependent on kerosene and diesel, prices
for which have rocketed in the last few weeks. It is believed
that "Food for Oil" will come to a halt for an indefinite
period and even if the WFP have supplied extra provisions to meet
an anticipated disruption, many poor families will sell parts
of the food parcel to meet other critical needs. UNHCR has just
recently requested funding of 37 million US dollars, but in the
event of a crisis, due to their mandate, they will not be able
to work directly inside Iraq but at reception points at the borders.
We are gravely concerned that in the event of
military action, internal localized conflicts might again erupt
and cause further damage. However, our main concerns are the capacities
of the local authorities and the international community to effectively
assist in the evolving crisis. Disruptions have already started
and become worse with each day.
DISRUPTION OF
WATER, SANITATION
AND ELECTRICITY
Power and water services are likely to be disrupted
as they are reliant on fuel from the south and reserves are said
to be "low". Again, many of the power sites are operated
by international staff who will most likely be evacuated.
Please note that some INGOs have submitted proposals
for contingency plans which we believe are currently shelved pending
decisions on this matter. In the meantime we are all trying to
manage our existing programmes despite the current security uncertainties.
We hope that the above points are of use to
you in your current deliberations and wish to thank the Secretary
of State and DFID for their past and continuing support for humanitarian
work in Northern Iraq.
RECOMMENDATION
Therefore we respectfully request, that DFID,
immediately allocate and directly release funds to tackle this
situation. We recommend urgent discussion between DFID and the
agencies concerned.
Irene J Massey
Programme Director, 4RS, Northern Iraq
And in conjunction with other International NGOs
in Northern Iraq:
Michael Parker
Country Programme Director
Mines Advisory Group
Northern Iraq
Giorgio Francia
Programme Director, Relief International
11 February 2003
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