INTERNATIONAL REPORTS INDICATS IRAQI PEOPLE CRISIS
parts of OCHA iraq eport of 2009 show a dark image of iraqi people human security as it exlaein that
Iraq continues to experience a protracted complex emergency with a number of acute humanitarian needs. Returns remain limited: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that around five percent of the estimated 2.8 million internally displaced and 2.2 million Iraqis in neighbouring countries have returned. Civilians continue to bear the disproportionate impact of widespread violations of human rights and continuing violence. Although the number of security incidents has declined and civilian casualties have reduced, an average of 33 civilians are killed by violence every day, many of whom are directly targeted by armed groups. Although some international NGOs are beginning to report greater access to areas such as Sadr City, Basra or Mosul, the presence of aid workers remains limited; and humanitarian access is likely to remain restricted throughout 2009. Furthermore, human rights violations, such as gender-based violence, including sexual violence, will remain key challenges amidst an unstable security situation, marked by high levels of impunity
OCHA is carefully monitoring humanitarian access in Iraq through a number of indicators which include, but are not limited to, the number of incidents per governorate; the number of civilian deaths; the number of areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance and landmines; and the number of United Nations missions in Iraq. Such monitoring will allow OCHA and humanitarian actors to understand better the prevailing trends and inform contingency and emergency preparedness planning.
While the government is increasingly asserting its authority and control across the country, the potential for destabilization could arise as a result of the unresolved sectarian grievances and continued disputes on internal boundaries, as well as the distribution of the country’s vast natural oil and gas resources. It is also expected that throughout 2009, Iraq will be exposed to epidemics, particularly cholera, resulting partly from the population’s poor and uneven access to basic social services.
Following the severe drought in 2007, agricultural yields of barley and wheat have been reduced by more than 50 per cent. OCHA will work with partners and the Government to strengthen drought mitigation measures and ensure responsible reform of the Public Distribution System to reduce the impact of the drought, rising food inflation and reduced government revenues on vulnerable populations’ food security
resources OCHA WEB SIT
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
Date: September 15, 2009