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Mosul Neighborhood Snapshot: Al-Zahraa - February 10, 2017

Countries
Iraq
Sources
ACTED
Publication date

This report was written by ACTED’s AME Unit to provide a snapshot of humanitarian needs and conditions in neighborhoods around Mosul. Data was collected via Key Informant and Observational tools on Feb 8th.

Highlights

  • Food was deemed the top priority by informants. With shops and markets available within the neighborhood offering staple items and other consumables, the high prices are hindering resident’s food security.

  • WASH needs in Al-Zahraa are critical. There is no access to clean water due to a lack of a functioning water system and residents are drinking from unprotected boreholes.

  • There is no functioning sewage network or solid waste system. Informants reported that there is no access to much needed hygiene items.

  • Informants note that Al-Zahraa is receiving limited assistance and aid from National and International NGOs in the form of in-kind food distribution, and basic NFIs, which are covering some of the needs of the neighborhood.

Situation Overview

The city of Mosul in northern Iraq has been under ISIS control since June 2014, this period has been characterized by repression and human rights abuses. As the last remaining ISIS stronghold in Iraq, the battle to retake Mosul began in October 2016 and Iraqi Security Forces and their allies have now successfully regained control of the section of the city east of the Tigris River. While military operations to regain control of the western portion of the city continue, humanitarian space in the eastern part of Mosul city is now opening up and there is access to provide humanitarian relief. With much of the city’s inhabitants having remained in the city during the battle or now returning, the provision of key services is vital to maintaining living standards, preventing the outbreak of disease and assisting on the path to recovery.

With active conflict only 4km to the west, informants noted that there still is a fear of a resurgence of armed conflict within the neighborhood, in addition to the neighborhood not yet being decontaminated from UXOs and IEDs.

Local Leadership: Within Al-Zahraa, it was reported that the local leadership was set up by the local community, with Mukhtars appointed by the community themselves. This local leadership structure was noted to be functional, representative and trusted.