Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) of Recently Displaced Persons in the Kurdistan Region

Transcription

1 Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) of Recently Displaced Persons in the Kurdistan Region ERBIL GOVERNORATE January 2007

2 Table of Contents I. Background 2 II. Summary of Monitoring Activities 2 III. Summary of Governorate 3 IV. Analysis of Rapid Needs Assessment Survey Findings 4 1. Location, Ethnicity, Religion, Gender and Vulnerabilities 4 2. Place of Origin, Flight and Intentions 5 3. Security Situation in Current Location 6 4. Humanitarian Assistance 6 5. Access to Basic Services and Shelter 6 6. Comparison of Basic Conditions Across Sub-Districts 8 7. Priority Needs 9 I. Background 1 UNHCR 2 estimates that over 1.8 million people remained displaced within Iraq as of the end of December 2006, some 640,000 of whom were displaced in 2006 following the Samarra attacks in February These attacks resulted in an escalation of sectarian violence with large-scale revenge killings on both sides, alongside anti-state insurgency, counter-insurgency and crime. Overall, this led to widespread fatal violence and insecurity throughout most of Iraq. Mixed communities, particularly in Baghdad are bearing the brunt of the conflict between members of Iraq s principal religious groups, Shi a and Sunni Muslims. Ethnic and religious minority groups in southern and central Iraq, including Christians and Kurds, are without strong protection networks and are particularly vulnerable to violence and intimidation. Many IDPs are seeking refuge in the region of Kurdistan, on which this report focuses. In part due to its relative security, the region of Kurdistan has witnessed a steady movement of families into the area since In 2006, this flow increased dramatically as families continued to relocate due to threats and generalized violence. This population influx has placed additional pressure on the real estate market and public service sector in Kurdistan and has led to increased concerns about security and demographic shifts. At the same time the KRG has also benefited from the migration of professionals who have brought with them skills and disposable incomes that boost the local economy. II. Summary of Monitoring Activities Monitoring activities in Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah include regular visits by UNHCR s partner to IDP locations to assess conditions, regular consultation with KRG officials and other stakeholders (including IRCS) to monitor the overall IDP population, and conducting Rapid Needs Assessments and other specialized surveys. 1 This Report was researched and drafted with its partner IRD. 2 UNHCR Update on Newly-Displaced Populations in Iraq, 15 November See also Cluster F Update on Newly Displaced Populations in Iraq as of 31 December

3 The Rapid Needs Assessment gathers information about basic services and needs including access to food, health care and water, as well as cause of flight, property and future intentions through standardized surveying across the three Northern Governorates. The assessment are overseen by a monitoring manager with the assistance of six monitoring teams (each team consisting of two persons) with two teams working in each governorate, and two data input officers. Monitoring teams complete between surveys per week depending on location visited and length of interview. The monitors consulted with other stakeholders to gather additional information. From 10 October until 30 November 2006, IRD surveyed 996 families across the Governorates of Dahuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, seeking to cover all the areas of IDP concentration in order to fully represent and provide information on the situation and needs of this group. 349 were surveyed in Erbil Governorate. III. Summary of Governorate Administrative Erbil City capital Sub-districts of Ainkawa, Erbil City, Khabat Erbil district surveyed Size 14,428 km 2 Population 1,425,000 Post Feb Districts Arab Christian Kurd Total IDP families Erbil City Makhmour Shaqlawa Soran Total 1, ,322 No. IDP families 349 (11% of total estimated IDP population) surveyed Source of data Directorate of Security (for Kurds and Arabs). Religious institutions estimate that there are 1,400 IDP families in the Governorate. The survey focused on the three sub-districts within Erbil District of Erbil Governorate - Ainkawa, Erbil City and Khabat - due to their high concentration of IDPs at the time of survey planning. 11% of the Governorate s estimated IDP population was surveyed. Numbers and Ethnicity: Erbil Governorate has the fewest IDPs among the Governorates administered by the KRG. 43% of IDPs in Erbil are Arabs, 47% are Kurds and 20% are Christians. Taking into consideration the figure provided by religious institutions, the Christians comprise 43% of IDPs in Erbil. The majority of these IDPs have fled sectarian violence in Baghdad and Ninewa. Entry and Shelter: While persons originating from the Governorate have generally been able to enter, reside and move freely within the Governorate, all non-kurds relocating to the Governorate need to have a sponsor to enter the Governorate and to legalize their stay through registration with the Directorate of Residence. IDPs legally resident in Erbil receive an 3

4 identification card which is valid for three to six months and can be renewed. IDPs in the Governorate are also required to register with the local security office in the village/sub-district of their residence. Kurdish IDPs, provided they originate from the Erbil Governorate, do not face official obstacles to the purchase of homes, while other IDPs are officially prohibited from the purchase of real property in KRG territory. However, provided they have regularized their stay, IDPs are generally free to rent accommodation and live with relatives. While most IDP families live in rented housing, some are also living in private homes and with host families or relatives. Assistance: The KRG in Erbil does not provide official financial support to IDPs. However, Christian families receive a monthly cash allowance starting at $100 from the Ministry of Finance headed by Sarkis Agha Jan, a prominent Christian politician in the KRG. 3 The IRCS also distributes assistance to new arrivals including flour, blankets and household items. Food and Basic Services: Food may be readily purchased in Erbil s markets and IDP families are able to receive their food rations in Erbil, while they remain registered in their place of origin. However, there may be delays of two to three months until they start receiving the rations. Generally, the surveyed families have access to basic services such as water, health services and schools on par with local residents. All the surveyed children are vaccinated in their current location. IV. Analysis of Rapid Needs Assessment Survey Findings 1. Location, Ethnicity, Religion, Gender and Vulnerabilities Location: The majority of IDP families are living in Erbil district but families are also located in the districts of Shaqlawa, Qushtappa and Soran. Ethnicity: 55% of surveyed families are Ethnicity of IDPs by Sub-District Kurds, 23% are Arab, Erbil Gov. Kurd 21% are Christian (Assyrian, Chaldean, Christian Orthodox and Armenian) and 1% are Turkmen. The vast majority of families surveyed in Khabat district were Kurds (97%) with a small Khabat Erbil center Ainkaw a 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Arab Turkmen Armenian minority of Arabs. In Ainkawa, the majority of families surveyed were Christian (53%), followed by Kurds (25%), Arabs (21%) and Armenian (2%). In Erbil City, surveyed families were mostly Arab (49%) and Kurd (46%), with a minority of Christians (3%) and Turkmen (2%). Religion: 67% of surveyed families were Sunni Muslim, 13% Shi a Muslim, 19% Christian and 1% Sabean-Mandaean. 3 Previously erroneously reported as Sarkis Agha Khan 4

5 Gender and Age: 1,600 individuals were represented in the survey group, of which 53% were male and 47% female. 45% were below 18 years of age and the average family size was five persons. Vulnerabilities: 21% of the surveyed families reported vulnerabilities. Nine percent were female-headed households; other vulnerabilities included mental instability, serious illness, old age and pregnancy. Vulnerabilities were reported fairly evenly across sub-districts ranging from 17% (Ainkawa) to 26% (Erbil City). 2. Place of Origin, Flight and Intentions Place of Origin: 50% of IDP families surveyed are from Baghdad, 41% are from Ninewa and 9% are from Diyala, Al-Anbar, Kirkuk and Missan Governorates. Only 45% of families left behind residential property; 7% left commercial property or land, principally small businesses. 32% of IDP families surveyed with property in their place of origin said they still had access to it. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Place of Origin by Sub-District Ainkawa Erbil Centre Khabat Erbil Gov. Baghdad Ninewa Others (Diyala, Anbar, Kirkuk and Missan) Flight/Resources: Generalized violence was stated as the main cause of flight by 72% of families. 67% left out of fear and 23% also cited direct threats to life as causes of flight. 99% of families brought winter clothes with them, 59% brought food and 48% brought tools. 22% of families brought a vehicle with them. Most families that did not drive to Erbil in their own vehicle arrived by taxi, others may have flown. 96% of surveyed families reported this as their first displacement and the remaining 4% reported Intentions by Sub-District Return this as their second Erbil Gov. displacement. Intentions: Across Erbil, intentions are split with 53% planning to locally integrate, 33% undecided, and 10% planning to resettle in a third location. Khabat Erbil center Ainkawa 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Resettle Locally Integrate Undecided 5

6 Four percent are planning to return. Over 47% of IDP families surveyed in Khabat and 39% of IDP families surveyed in Erbil City are undecided, compared to only 15% in Ainkawa, where the majority (71%), plan to integrate locally. 3. Security Situation in Current Location Security/Documentation: 96-99% of IDP families surveyed across all sub-districts reported feeling safe and 100% reported being well received by the host community. No family members were reported as being detained in Erbil Governorate. 99% of families reported having some form of ID with them, most commonly general ID cards (98-100%). Only 7% of surveyed families held their passports. 4. Humanitarian Assistance Humanitarian Assistance: 19% of families surveyed received humanitarian assistance following their arrival in Erbil. Families in Khabat sub-district reported no assistance, while 34% in Ainkawa and 22% in Erbil had received assistance. The main source of aid in Erbil Governorate was from religious institutions which provided 66% of overall assistance. 19% of humanitarian assistance came from NGOs and 15% came from IRCS. In Ainkawa, 96% of the humanitarian assistance came from religious institutions and political bureaus. In Erbil City, humanitarian providers included NGOs (59%), IRCS (36%) and religious groups (5%). Assistance included food (86% in Erbil City), non-food items (5% in Erbil City), and other Access to Basic Services and Shelter Housing: 74% of surveyed families reported living in rented housing, 14% in private homes or hotels, 9% with a host family and 3% in tents near the house of a host (mostly in Khabat). No families reported living in public buildings. Types of accommodation varied across sub-districts. 94% of the families 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Erbil Gov. Erbil center Ainkaw a Erbil Gov. Erbil center Ainkaw a Type of Assisstance by Sub-District 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Source of Assistance by Sub-District 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Type of Housing Ainkaw a Erbil Khabat Erbil Gov. NFI FI Other IRCS NGO Religious Group House of host Rented Other Tent near House 4 UNHCR provided non-food items for some 1,500 IDP families to the local authorities in Erbil. 6

7 in Ainkawa reported living in rented houses; in Khabat and Erbil between 60-63% were renting houses. One family in Erbil City and three families in Khabat faced pressure from their neighbors to leave. While there is currently no housing crisis, most families are experiencing difficulties finding jobs and are therefore living off savings. As the influx of IDPs continues, rental rates are rising in responses, and high rents underlie many IDPs housing concerns. Together with their lack of regular income, rental market pressure means that families will find it difficult to continue to afford housing as the length of their displacement extends. Food: Access to public food Percentage of IDP Families Recieving rations is a main concern of IDPs. Rations by Sub-District All Iraqi citizens and refugees 100% within Iraq are entitled to receive 90% public rations, tied to their 80% Yes official residence; many poor 70% 60% families rely heavily on Iraq s 50% Public Distribution System. 40% Transfer of ration cards is a timeconsuming process requiring the No 30% 20% completion of paperwork at both 10% the place of original registration 0% and the new location. Since many Ainkawa Erbil Khabat Erbil Gov. IDPs left their homes at short notice, few were able to initiate procedures at their place of origin. IDPs legally resident in Erbil may receive food rations from the Governorate even though their PDS cards remain registered in their place of origin, pursuant to a temporary transfer procedure recently initiated by the KRG in Erbil: i) Delivery of a referral letter issued by the Mukhtar to the Mayor s office for issuance of another official letter. ii)presentation of the Mayor s official letter to the PDS Directorate in Erbil for processing of the IDP temporary transfer claim. After approximately one month, a temporary transfer letter should be issued, which may be presented for distribution of rations in Erbil. There are legitimate concerns that this process may take several months to complete. In practice, most IDP families may remain without access to rations for some time. Only 54% of surveyed families are able to collect their public food rations. In Ainkawa, 63% of families have access to their food rations, compared to 50% in Khabat and 45% in Erbil City. Of those that received rations, 97% said that their rations were incomplete. Healthcare: 99%-100% of the families surveyed reported having access to healthcare services. Two percent of families surveyed in Ainkawa reported suffering from an infectious disease in the 45 days prior to surveying. Only 5% of families surveyed were visited by a health worker, although the number of families visited varied across sub-districts between 1 9% (Erbil City/Ainkawa). Three percent of families reported being involved in a vaccination campaign. Water and Sanitation: 97% of IDP families reported having regular access to water and 97% reported municipal water networks as their main source of water. 100% of the families had 7

8 access to toilets. Electricity and Fuel: Electricity shortages are common in Erbil Governorate, effecting both the local resident and IDP populations. 67% of families reported having electricity for more than four hours per day. 26% reported having access to electricity for up to three hours per day with small differences between sub districts. 14% of the families surveyed in Erbil City reported no access to electricity. 100% of the families surveyed have access to fuel including benzene and kerosene. 6. Comparison of Basic Conditions across Sub-Districts Overall, families surveyed in Ainkawa reported the highest standard of living based on the indicators presented below, while families in Khabat reported the lowest standards: Safety Assistance Rented accommodation Access to food rations Access to healthcare Access to municipal water networks More than four hours of electricity per day Overall living standards by Sub- Districts 1st 2nd 3rd Ainkaw a Erbil center Khabat Access to various services, assistance, housing or safety differed between sub-districts. No sub-district emerged as superior across all indicators. Safety, access to healthcare and access to municipal water networks appear not to be a problem for the majority of the families surveyed across all sub-districts. However, housing and access to food ration cards remain strong IDP concerns in all locations. Comparison of Baisc Conditions across Districts Feel safe Ainkawa Erbil Centre Khabat Received Assistance Rent houses Have access to rations Have access to Healthcare Have access to Municipality piped water Have more than 4hrs Elec. Per day 8

9 7. Priority Needs Shelter was overwhelmingly identified as a priority need across all sub-districts, ranging from 59-94%. Overall, 83% of IDP families surveyed rated shelter as their principal need despite the apparent absence of a housing crisis of the surveyed IDP population. 74% of families live in rented housing, 14% (other) live in private homes or hotels, 9% with a host family and 3% in tents near a host family home (mainly in Khabat). Families may be concerned about the sustainability of their current shelter solutions as the cause of their displacement shows little sign of abating and the length of their displacement extends. Continuing rent payments as savings are depleted and work opportunities remain scarce is likely to be a major challenge, particularly in the face of price increases caused by the steady influx of IDPs. Those staying with host families may also be concerned about over-stay. After shelter, the next priority needs were work, health and food. 100% Shelter as Priority Need/Type of Housing 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Ainkawa Erbil Centre Khabat Erbil Gov. Shelter Rented Housing Host Family Other (Owned House) Tent near House of Host Top 3 Priority Needs by Sub-District Sub-District 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Amedi Shelter Employment Health Erbil center Shelter Employment Food Khabat Shelter Employment Food 9