Minutes of NGO coordination meeting on Iraq 27 May 2003

Chaired by Ian Purves, SHAO, OCHA
NGOs were again asked to provide feedback to OCHA on relevancy, as well as content of the meetings bearing in mind that the OCHA office in Amman will be phasing down over the next month.

1. Security

Centre: The general security situation in Mosul has improved over the last week, whereas the situation in Kirkuk remains tense. Inter-ethnic tensions are expected in Kirkuk for the period of the municipal elections on 27 May, and possibly beyond. Coalition forces reinforced their presence in the city. Kurds have reportedly said they will 'conquer the city' once the coalition forces leave. All UN missions to Kirkuk are limited to day trips.

CMOC conducted operations in Awija district south of Kirkuk, and recommended to avoid the area.

There are reports of ex-Baathists plotting to disrupt humanitarian aid by attacking shipments and relief workers.

Active opposition forces to the coalition are reported along the Iraq-Iran border. In general, the coalition forces are being targeted throughout the country.

UNSECOORD declared Sinjar region in Ninewa as unsafe for humanitarian activity.

Baghdad: Sales of weapons are increasing. AK 47 assault rifles can be bought for about $50. The level of shooting at night is also increasing, and gangs of armed teenagers are on streets.

Drive-by shootings continue. A woman with a child was paid to throw a grenade at the coalition forces, but the attempt failed.

The highway between Baghdad and Erbil remains unsafe and subject to frequent attacks.

There was an attempted carjacking involved two UN national staff traveling in a taxi between Ar Ramadi and Al Fallujah where the driver was wounded.

The Coalition Provisional Authority has drafted a disarmament policy (weapons prohibited include those larger than 7.62mm and automatics, grenades and explosives). A 40-day amnesty will be offered to those who surrender their weapons.

Upper South: High level of crime was reported south of Kut (Wassit).

Lower South: Demonstrations outside the UN building in Basrah continue with the main issues related to payment, property, and food.

According to the coalition, the level of looting is diminishing, however, targeted looting against alcohol shops or non-muslim shops is reported.

CMOC is concerned that organised crime will try to infiltrate the humanitarian assistance network and expand black market activities.

There were reports of intimidation of doctors by patients' families.

Armed police are now patrolling in Basrah, and they have temporary powers of arrest and hold for maximum six hours.

Carjackings are reported between Amara and Kut. The border area with Iran is volatile.

Mine Action Coordination Team in Basrah has produced a form for reporting UXOs to be distributed to civil defence, schools, food distribution points, and other public institutions.

Security Incident Tracking System: UNSECOORD has begun establishing a security tracking system in Baghdad. Daily reports are shared with a wider humanitarian community. NGOs are encouraged to feed into the system. Contact person is Jean Luc Massart, UNSECOORD Field Security Officer, email: massart@un.org. and copied to Kirsten Zaat at zaat@un.org

Armed Protection: NGOs in Kuwait have received copies of the NGO Code of Conduct for Sierra Leone, which includes principles for the use of armed protection. OCHA encouraged NGOs to discuss the issue at their headquarters level in order to establish an NGO Code of Conduct for Iraq.

2. Update on UN Iraq

The UN agencies started opening offices in Mosul. Daily missions to Kirkuk will continue until the security situation allows a more permanent presence. The UN Area Coordinator for the Centre has established regular coordination meetings. The meeting schedule is available on the HIC website: www.agoodplacetostart.org.

UNDP has launched the Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Programme (IREP) aimed at the reduction of unemployment. The programme will be implemented in three phases: emergency, transition, and recovery and development. During the emergency phase, 250,000 vulnerable people will be employed over six months.

3. ORHA

ORHA reported that, following the approval of the Security Council Resolution 1483, ORHA will be reorganised. The details of this have yet to be released.

Three priorities identified by the head of the coalition forces are as follows: security, including the establishment of a police force; local governance, where local and regional councils are to be created; and economic development.

On 23 May, ORHA made an order to dissolute the Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Information and other security institutions. Concerns exist for the 300-400,000 ex-soldiers that are now unemployed. The UN is discussing ways to help these people reintegrate.

Three types of police are being set-up: patrol police (general public security patrol), carrying a sidearm; anti-riot police (response team for violent demonstrations, looting etc.), armed with AK 47; and traffic police, unarmed. All policemen will wear ID cards issued by ORHA. 13 US judges and lawyers have arrived to work on the re-establishment of the judicial system.

The IAC (Iraqi Assistance Centre) announced that it would be allocating 400 GSM phones to approved NGOs and IOs. All NGOs are required to fill out a phone application form, which would be reviewed. The IAC has not clarified the criteria that would be used in determining allocations but it would consult UNOHCI on 'legitimacy' of NGOs that submitted requests. The phone GSM network should be operational in one week.

4. NGO Coordination

UNOHCI is aware of 85 NGOs operating in Iraq: 2 NGOs throughout Iraq; 36 in North; 3 in Centre; 40 in Baghdad; 4 in Upper South; and 18 in Lower South. The Coalition indicated a lack of NGO presence in the Upper South where assistance needs are great.

NGOs are encouraged to send information on their activities and concerns to UN NGO Liaison Officer, Kirsten Zaat (zaat@un.org), who provides daily 9:30am briefings at the UN meetings in Larnaca.

It was suggested to NGOs that they should be aware of the possible loss of credibility when 'complaining' about the occupying powers in meetings rather than engaging them in more constructive dialogue. That is not to say that NGOs should not remain independent and maintain a distance from the CF, but that the best way to initiate change in the way that the military/ORHA operates will be through coordinated advocacy. OCHA highlighted the importance for the NGO community to come together and look to speak with one voice, instead of perhaps petitioning military officers on an individual basis. It is hoped that NCCI can begin to address this. UNOHCI will assist the NGO community to undertake advocacy efforts through the office of Kirsten Zaat.

After consultation with the NGO community through ICVA, InterAction, SCHR, and VOICE member agencies (representing 98% of NGOs in Iraq), the NGO consensus is that NCCI is to be accepted as the coordination body for NGOs operating in Iraq. NCCI, which is currently Baghdad-focused, plans to expand activities in other areas of the country.

5. Update on Cross-border Issues

Flights: Handling fees at Marka and Queen Alia airports are very high. Two recent aircraft arrivals have been quoted USD11,000 and 35,000 respectively. UNJLC is negotiating with the authorities to reduce them and/or allow UN and other humanitarian organisations access to aircraft for direct unloading.

UNJLC is to close its office in Syria.

UNJLC and UNHAS are relocating their operations from Larnaca to Amman. UNHAS will be operational in Amman as of next week. NGOs should direct booking requests for UN flights to Einar Schjolberg, UNJLC at einar.schjolberg@wfp.org or call +357 2465 9621 ext. 451-452 or +357 9992 5255 (mobile), copying their UN partner agency. Non-implementing partner NGOs should seek permission for UN flights from the HCI. However, the procedure is not clear yet. Cargo service is also available, which will be terminated unless there is sufficient requirement. This applies also to AirServ. Royal Jordanian provides cargo services as well, with three flights a week.

The primary POC in Baghdad Airport is Lt. Katya Trotta, email: katyatrotta@yahoo.com. Capt. Vranes is in charge of the section of the airport for NGO reception. All passengers need to make their own arrangements for travel into Baghdad from the airport. However, with prior notification to Lt. Trotta, transportation can be arranged.

Visas: There is still no response from the Government regarding the Iraqi visa requirement. NGOs continue crossing the Jordan-Iraq border without encountering problems.

The Jordanian authorities required blood test and full medical examination to renew visas for two UN staff. The UN RC will follow up the issue with the Government. MPDL noted that blood test is a regular procedure in the country for visa renewal.

Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 1,100-1,200 Iraqi Dinars.

6. AOB / Announcements

The HIC, together with JNEPI, has produced the first batch of Iraq maps, which indicate P-codes as well. It is expected to finish the printing of the maps by the end of the week. Initially each organisation will get one set, and then the distribution will be on as needed basis. The maps will be available in Amman, Baghdad, Basrah, and Erbil.

CCF referring the tense situation in the No-man's Land where some 1,400 refugees, mainly Iranian Kurds are residing, inquired about opportunities to initiate activities for refugee children. Interested NGOs can contact Chanon Bernstein, email: cbernsteinjazz@hotmail.com, mobile: 079 584 1646.

Kjaer and Kjaer have a representative in Jordan, Kim Holburn, who can be contacted on kimholburn@hotmail.com or +962 79 50 92 902

ES-KO, a logistical support services company, have a representative in Jordan. Peter Greets can be contacted at es-ko@monaco.mo or +377 97 97 76 76

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 3 June, at 1245 in the UNDP conference room.