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Iraq Situation: UNHCR Flash Update - 26 December 2016

Countries
Iraq
Sources
UNHCR
Publication date
Origin
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KEY FIGURES

116,490
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Mosul and surrounding areas since the military offensive began on 17 October

14,486
UNHCR kits of core relief items (CRIs) distributed to families (assisting some 87,000 people) displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas

9,097
Family plots (for some 54,000 people) in UNHCR built camps are ready to receive IDPs displaced from Mosul corridor, of which 5,481 (60%) are currently occupied.

3.1 million
IDPs since January 2014

239,077 Iraqi refugees hosted by neighbouring countries in the region, with 5,491 Iraqis to Syria since 17 October

FUNDING

USD 584 million
requested for IDPs and Iraqi refugees in the region

Of which
USD 196 million
requested for the Mosul emergency response

POPULATION MOVEMENTS

Mosul: IDPs continue to leave Mosul and surrounding areas at a steady pace. Since midDecember, the overall population in camps and emergency sites grew by 23% (19,176 individuals1 ). Some 116,490 persons (19,415 families1 ) are currently displaced. At the same time, displaced families are returning to their places of origin: 11,500 individuals (1,916 families1 ) displaced since military operations to retake Mosul city began on 17 October have returned, including 2,000 persons (352 families1 ) since 15 December.

Hawiga: IDPs continue to flee Hawiga district, as airstrikes are reported to have intensified in all four sub-districts. Almost 8,000 IDPs (1,297 famlies1 ) have fled since 15 December: most of them are now accommodated in UNHCR’s four camps in Kirkuk Governorate. Over 60,000 IDPs (10,126 families1 ) have fled Hawiga since 1 August.

SITUATION UPDATE

Parallel movement of displacements and returns in Mosul district continue. Military operations to retake Mosul have reportedly advanced according to the GOI and two thirds of Ninewa Governorate, of which Mosul is the capital, have now been retaken. As a result, returns have been reported mainly to newly accessible areas in south and east of Mosul district. However, displacements continue to take place from inside Mosul city, including from neighbourhoods retaken by the government with IDPs citing concerns at lack of security and public services.

UNHCR RESPONSE UPDATE

Some 87 per cent of IDPs from Mosul city are currently sheltered in camps. Since 22 December, over 15,000 IDPs have been received in camps east and south of Mosul including some 5,000 IDPs (865 families) who arrived in Hasansham M2 camp, east of Mosul. UNHCR has pre-positioned core relief items, including mattresses, blankets and kitchen sets in Hasansham M2, for distribution IDPs upon arrival. Anticipating more new arrivals, UNHCR has prepositioned 1,000 additional tents in Hasansham warehouse and is currently completing the construction of two new camps east of Mosul, with a capacity to shelter up to 24,000 IDPs.

UNHCR has provided assistance to 162,000 IDPs, returnees and members of the host community in and around Mosul (27,000 families) since 17 October. In camps, UNHCR has provided emergency items to more than 14,000 families displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas. In addition, UNHCR has distributed 51,102 blankets and quilts to more than 13,053 families who are living or have returned to newly accessible areas, including Mosul city.

UNHCR protection teams are expanding their activities in Shura area, south of Mosul. Three newly accessible villages are now regularly covered by UNHCR’s partner who monitors the protection needs of vulnerable returnees, IDPs and members of the host community living in the area. Vulnerable families are referred to relevant partners for assistance specific to their needs.

UNHCR and its partner assisted 70 IDPs from Hawiga (men, women and children) to reunite with their families. The IDPs, all new arrivals from Hawiga, had been transferred to Layan 2 and Nazrawa camps after undergoing security screening, while the rest of their families were transferred to Daquq camp. The families were all reunited on 22 December after UNHCR and its partner successfully advocated with local authorities on behalf of the IDPs.