IRAQ SITUATION UNHCR FLASH UPDATE 17 March 2017 POPULATION MOVEMENTS According to the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, an estimated 150,000 individuals have been displaced as a result of the current offensive on western Mosul that began on 19 February. Overall, 254,880 individuals (42,480 families) are currently displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas since the military operations began on 17 October 2016. Due to the large number of newly displaced people from western Mosul, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) starting this week have expedited the security screening process at the Hammam Al-Alil screening site (25 km south of Mosul). An average of 15,000 IDPs arrive to the site daily. Up to 70 per cent of the IDPs transiting the Hammam Al-Alil screening site since late last week have reportedly gone to out-of-camp locations including informal settlements east and south of Mosul. Humanitarian partners are liaising with local authorities to identify the whereabouts of these IDPs and prioritize their protection and assistance needs. UNHCR is prepared to support emergency shelter needs in urban locations with flexible solutions for up to 50,000 IDPs. SITUATION UPDATE The historic area of Mosul is densely populated and displacement from there could be much greater than levels seen to date. The ISF have reportedly retaken roughly half of western Mosul and are surrounding the Old City from the south and west. RESPONSE UPDATE An estimated 4,000 IDPs are expected to arrive in government-built Nargizlia 1 and 2 camps (30 km north-east of Mosul) this week. The camps have capacity for up to 18,000 IDPs. Following intensive advocacy, the government has confirmed its plans to transfer IDPs from western Mosul to camps north-east of Mosul starting 16 March. All camps east and south of Mosul are full. UNHCR and partners have expedited work at the Hammam Al-Alil 2 camp. The camp, with a total capacity for some 30,000 individuals (5,000 plots), is being readied to immediately receive 6,000 individuals by 20 March. The government-built Hammam Al-Alil 1 camp is at capacity. Despite media reports to the contrary - people currently in Hammam Al-Alil are not waiting for tent space. Families are using Hammam Al-Alil Reception/Transit Centre adjacent to the screening site to rest while waiting for relatives to be cleared before they move onwards. With expedited security screenings now underway, it is expected that most families will now have to wait no more than 24 hours to complete the screening process. Anticipating even greater numbers of new arrivals, UNHCR is doubling the capacity of the Reception/ Transit Centre from roughly 4,000 individuals to 8,000 individuals. UNHCR partner has been distributing emergency core relief items including mats and blankets to IDPs on site. UNHCR’s Hasansham U2 camp is ready to receive about 2,400 IDPs. The camp, which is located 35 km east of Mosul, will have a total capacity for up to 9,000 people once completed. UNHCR currently has a total of 11 camps operating or under construction to host up to 174,000 people fleeing from Mosul and surrounding areas. The eight UNHCR-built camps ready to receive IDPs displaced from the Mosul corridor, currently accommodate about 45,000 IDPs with family plots available to accommodate another 30,000 IDPs. UNHCR needs USD 212 million in 2017 to continue providing urgent assistance to Iraqis displaced from Mosul, including USD 7 million in the next eight days and an additional USD 30 million in the next two months – Total USD 37 million. KEY FIGURES 254,880 Iraqis currently internally displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas since military operations to retake the city began on 17 October 2016 1 30,890 core relief item (CRIs) kits distributed to families in camps, assisting some 182,000 IDPs from Mosul and surrounding areas 7,990 family plots currently occupied out of 12,497 family plots (for some 75,000 people) in UNHCR-built camps ready to receive IDPs displaced from the Mosul corridor 3 million IDPs since January 2014 2 250,952 Iraqi refugees hosted in countries in the region, and 14,527 Iraqis received in Al Hol camp in Syria since 17 October 2016 1 IOM-DTM Emergency Tracking since 17 October 2016. 2 IOM-DTM as of 2 March 2017. FUNDING USD 578 million requested for IDPs and Iraqi refugees in the region in 2017. Funded 4% Gap 96%