KIRKUK CITY - IRAQ INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT FACTSHEET DATA COLLECTED: 22 – 23 SEPTEMBER 2014 The worsening security situation in parts of northern and central Iraq has caused mass internal displacement across much of the country. Humanitarian response operations have been taking place in the accessible areas of the north where approximately half of the 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have currently settled. Elsewhere in the country however, where ongoing violence has severely limited humanitarian access, information is incomplete and assistance is limited, leaving the remaining half of the displaced population without support from the humanitarian sector. In response to these information gaps, REACH Initiative set up and is using a network of key informants originating from inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas to assess the current situation in order to inform a rapid, targeted humanitarian response in these areas, as soon as they become accessible. This factsheet provides an overview of displacement trends from and to IDPs’ areas of origin, as well as key issues related to shelter, food and livelihoods faced both by IDPs and host communities living in areas affected by the crisis, followed by priority needs as identified during the assessment. The factsheet should be read in conjunction with the Kirkuk City dashboard, which provides a rapid overview of key findings. DISPLACEMENT OVERVIEW Kurdish military forces took control of Kirkuk City just a few days after Armed Opposition Groups (AOGs) attacked Mosul in June 2014, and have since fought to protect it against AOG advances. The security situation in Kirkuk City, the capital of the governorate, remains volatile with explosions reported regularly. Despite this, only a relatively small proportion of families have left Kirkuk City. Most IDPs in Kirkuk City originate from Anbar as a result of clashes prior to June. Others originate from neighbouring Salah Al-Din governorate which has seen large swathes of territory fall to AOGs. Map 1: Areas included in the Kirkuk City analysis Data was collected between 22 and 23 September 2014, using a Key Informant (KI) network across nine neighbourhoods of Kirkuk City: Askan, Azadi, Filq, Kurdistan, Qadisiya, Rahim Awa, Shoraw, Shoreja and Yadgar. In this factsheet, primary data is complemented by secondary sources including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and other humanitarian reports. 1 METHODOLOGY DISPLACEMENT TRENDS For this assessment, REACH used its Area of Origin (AoO) methodology, which was designed and is currently applied in other emergency settings as part of its overall support to the regional Syria crisis response. The AoO methodology was first piloted in Iraq in July 2014.1 By interviewing IDPs about their usual place of residence, REACH has been able to collect information about the situation in conflict-affected areas where there is no or limited humanitarian access. Due to the dynamic context, REACH teams were also able to collect information directly from key informants in newly accessible areas. DISPLACEMENT FROM AREA OF ORIGIN Using a pre-established network from prior assessment activities, REACH teams identified both host community and IDP Key Informants (KIs) who were staying in targeted areas or who were in regular contact with persons in their place of origin since being relocated, and who indicated a willingness to provide information. Target locations for primary data collection were based on figures provided by the IOM DTM, which indicated where large proportions of IDPs had arrived from since August 2014. To provide indicative findings at the city level, REACH teams collected 20 – 21 KI samples. The stratification of these samples across the city was weighted against the numbers of IDPs residing in different neighbourhoods in the city. For certain neighbourhoods a larger sample size was achieved due to the extensive presence of KIs originating from these areas in the location of the assessment. During data cleaning additional samples were randomly deleted to achieve a baseline sample size required for the city weighted by neighbourhoods. Findings from these discussions have been triangulated with and supported by relevant and recent secondary data sources. At a strategic fault line between AOG and Kurdish controlled areas, Kirkuk governorate includes districts disputed between the Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Home to Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen, the contested area is one of the region’s most precarious ethnic pressure points. Since the June upheaval, many districts in Kirkuk governorate have fallen to AOGs and other areas have witnessed sporadic clashes between the AOGs and Kurdish military forces. The IOM DTM of 14 September 2014 identified that roughly 3,000 families from Kirkuk governorate had sought refuge in predominantly Qadissiya and Wassit governorates, and some in ThiQar, Baghdad, Kerbala, Missan, Basrah and Babylon. Within Kirkuk governorate the DTM identified 21, 249 displaced families. Many of these are located in Kirkuk City. Despite a rise in car bombings and violence, the city is perceived as safer relative to other areas in the governorate.2 KIs identified that many IDPs in Kirkuk City originate from from Tikrit in Salah Al-Din governorate, as well as from Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar governorate. Many people fled neighbouring Salah Al-Din as a result of rapid AOG advances south of Mosul during June.3 Turbulent clashes since the end of 20134 have led to longer-term displacement from Anbar. The majority of IDPs from Anbar are reported to have fled initially to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and later moved south to Kirkuk for lower living costs and rent.5 IDPs in Kirkuk City were also identified as originating from Al-Muqdadiya in Diyala governorate and Sheikhan in Ninewa governorate. LA Times, Oil-rich Kirkuk in Iraq’s north fears attack by Islamic State, (22 September 2014). Human Rights Watch, Iraq: ISIS Advance Threatens Civilians, (12 June 2014). 4 UNHCR, Briefing notes, Displacement of people continues to rise in Anbar, Iraq, (7 March 2014). 5 IOM Reports, Displacement Snapshot: Kirkuk, (September 2014). 2 3 1 REACH, Assessment of Area of Origin of Internally Displaced Persons in Northern Iraq, (12 July 2014). 2 Since September, movement into Kirkuk City has been restricted to mitigate attempts by AOGs to attack or infiltrate the area.6 It was reported that entry points to the governorate were closed in September to anyone who did not have Kirkuk identity documentation, reducing displacement into the governorate.7 Despite this IDPs continued to arrive in the city as many also originate from within Kirkuk governorate.8 Kirkuk City is likely to continue to see displacements outside of the city until the security situation improves. RETURN TO AREA OF ORIGIN No returns were reported during this assessment as relatively few families have been displaced out of Kirkuk City and violence is on the rise. Field observations discovered that often male heads of households residing in the nearby KRI return home temporarily to evaluate the status of their assets and security situation. On average 40% of IDPs were reportedly living in collective shelters such as large abandoned buildings, mosques and schools in Kirkuk City. Many families living in collective shelters feel at risk of eviction, as owners may seek to reclaim property or start to charge rent in abandoned buildings, and mosques and schools need to relocate inhabitants in order to resume services. A previous assessment by REACH conducted in August 2014 in the KRI found that 32% of displaced families living in collective shelters believed they would be evicted, while 50% feared eviction.9 The Iraqi school year starts between September and the end of October. Therefore most displaced households settled in schools across the city have been or will be forced to relocate. Without a support network or resources to pay for rent, these IDPs will likely resort to open air spaces or makeshift shelters – thus becoming particularly vulnerable during the winter months. FOOD ACCESS TO SHELTER, FOOD AND LIVELIHOODS SHELTER KIs claimed that many people were facing food shortages, although they were not life threatening. During times of conflict resources become scarce and often push up prices of food items (see Figure 1). However, the price of staple items in Kirkuk City has remained more stable in comparison to other areas assessed by REACH. 35% IDPS WERE REPORTEDLY LIVING IN OPEN AIR Figure 1: Reported price inflation among key food items as reported by KIs Bread Cooking Oil Chicken Meat Rice Tomato The large proportion of displaced households that have settled in open air spaces throughout Kirkuk City represent an extremely vulnerable group. They have limited access to water, hygiene facilities and electricity. A lack of privacy and protection concerns are exacerbated in overcrowded unfinished buildings. During the upcoming winter months IDPs living in open air are the most vulnerable to exposure. REACH found that only 22% of IDPs were living in apartments, houses or hosted by family. An overwhelming majority of families are unable to afford housing or lack a support network of friends and family. 4% 4% 7% 1% 1% 19% LIVELIHOODS KIs reported that only between 20 and 29% of the population that was employed before the crisis was still working in the same job at the time of assessment. Rudaw News, Peshmerga shut down Kirkuk border, (9 September 2014). IOM Reports, Displacement Snapshot: Kirkuk, (September 2014). 8 Rudaw, Arabs in Kirkuk Want Elections Delayed, (26 March 2014). 6 7 Shelter and CCCM Cluster Rapid Assessment in partnership with REACH, Iraq Internal Displacement Crisis Assessment Report, (10 September 2014). 9 3 The majority of those in employment worked as unskilled and agricultural labourers. The presence of IDPs is likely to further increase the competition for jobs in Kirkuk City, raising the difficulties faced by host community population as well. This will affect IDPs’ ability to access sufficient food and water, medicines, non-food items for winter and pay for rent. Public services have reportedly been partly inhibited due to a delay in budget allocations – rendering populations more reliant on their own spending.10 Families could soon start resorting to unhealthy and unsustainable coping mechanisms as seen in other areas assessed, such as a reduction of meal portion sizes in Ramadi in Anbar. FIRST PRIORITY NEEDS THE FIRST PRIORITY NEED FOR IDPS WAS FOOD The most reported priority need for IDPs was food. The significant proportion of IDPs living in the open air have minimal resources and are struggling to meet their most basic needs. Although no informants reported food shortages to be life threatening, if assistance is not received the situation will deteriorate further. Household items were also a reported priority need. Displaced families living in open air and collective shelters require non-food items for makeshift shelter, sleeping and cooking purposes. For those living in apartments or hosted by friends or family, inflation and loss of employment has reduced purchasing power. KIs reported that many people are unable to access health services. The problem reported to most affect healthcare facilities was a lack of electricity. Other reasons included a lack of medicines and damage from explosives. The World Health Organisation condemned an air strike on Hawija General Hospital, 30 miles south of Kirkuk City, and expressed concern for the targeting of health care facilities in rest of Kirkuk governorate.11 On the other hand, the limited availability of electricity is unlikely to impact families’ ability to heat their households during the winter months since the population in Kirkuk City rely mainly on gas heaters and kerosene for heating. Nonetheless, almost all respondents claimed that fuel shortages were faced on a weekly basis or more regularly. The whole of Iraq is currently facing fuel shortages due to the cessation of refineries under attack by AOGs.12 If fuel shortages are to continue on a regular basis, it is likely that families who rely on kerosene to heat their accommodation will be severely affected in the winter – this year the temperatures ranged between -5 and 11 degrees Celsius.13 KIs reported that host communities and IDPs in Kirkuk City face water shortages on a weekly basis, with negative implications for availability of drinking water (the majority rely on private wells or trucking delivery of water), water for cooking purposes and hygiene. Electricity was the third reported primary need. A majority of KIs reported that households in Kirkuk City access electricity via the main network, but only slightly more than half reported that IDP shelters were connected to the general electricity network. Most informants noted that shelters have access to electricity for less than two hours a day, and face shortages several times a week. The limited availability of electricity and poor lighting lowers the security of collective shelters. LESS THAN 10% OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WERE FUNCTIONING United Nations Iraq, WHO condemns the air strike on Hawija General Hospital near Kirkuk, (10 September 2014). European Commission, Iraq- Humanitarian situation and displacement, (2 September 2014). 13 Accuweather.com, Kirkuk, January 2014. 11 12 10 IOM Reports, Displacement Snapshot: Kirkuk, (September 2014). 4 CONCLUSION Kirkuk City is considered safer than the other districts within the governorate - many of which have come under the control of AOGs – and thus has attracted a large number of IDPs. The absorption capacity of Kirkuk City is especially limited as only a relatively small number of families have left the city. This leaves few options available to displaced families, many of whom were reportedly living in the open air. This also places host communities under additional strain as existing infrastructure and basic services struggle under increased demand. Food was reported as a priority need for IDPs in Kirkuk City. IDPs living in open air are the most vulnerable to exposure during the winter months and already lack access to basic services such as water, hygiene and electricity. The number of families living in open air or makeshift shelter arrangements is already high and likely to increase as families staying in collective shelters, particularly schools, face eviction. It is important to identify safe alternative shelter arrangements for these families. The large number of displaced families residing in collective shelters are also vulnerable, often with inadequate housing facilities for hygiene, cooking and heating, some in unsafe buildings with little privacy. These IDPs need household items and better access to electricity in order to respond to protection concerns and exposure to the winter climate. The humanitarian community should assess these shelters in order to better understand how to meet needs of IDPs staying there. To improve the situation for those IDPs living in collective shelters, assistance should be provided to improve services in existing locations and provide alternative shelter for IDPs facing eviction. Displaced households living in rented houses and apartments are in less need of immediate assistance, but many host community and displaced families are already spending their savings. Increased competition for housing and decreased access to livelihoods in Kirkuk City means that IDPs will soon need rental and/or cash support to pay for accommodation and other basic items. About REACH Initiative REACH facilitates the development of information tools and products that enhance the capacity of aid actors to make evidence-based decisions in emergency, recovery and development contexts. All REACH activities are conducted through inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, you can write to [email protected] or [email protected]. Visit www.reach-intiative.org and follow us @REACH_info. 5
© Copyright 2025 Paperzz