U N I T E D  N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)
22 April 2003


Minutes of NGO coordination meeting on Iraq 22 Apr 2003

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Chaired by Maura Lynch, SHAO, OCHA
1. Update on Cross-border Issues

Iraqi Visa: Last week, some NGOs had difficulties with the Jordanian
authorities at the Jordanian border for not having an Iraqi visa. The
Jordanian Government requires all NGO staff intending to travel to Iraq to
obtain a visa from the Iraqi Embassy, which is still functioning, and is
promptly issuing three-month multiple entry visas, usually within a day
(according to some NGOs, this can be expedited to a few hours). NGOs need
to complete a form, have two photos and pay a fee of 52 JD.

Security Assessment: UNSECOORD Jordan is conducting a security assessment
in Arquba, which is 100 km away from the Jordanian border.

Aid Flights -- Lack of Access: There are still no UN flights to North Iraq
or Baghdad. The UN has been seeking permission to fly to North Iraq since
9 April. SCF-UK denied media reports about sending a plane to Iraq. A
SCF-UK plane carrying medical supplies was refused permission to land in
North Iraq by coalition forces (the press release was made available at
the meeting). So it was never sent. IRC was also unsuccessful during the
last three weeks to get permission to land in North Iraq. So far, only
ICRC has managed to land a plane in Baghdad.

2. Update on the Situation in Iraq

IOM: Within its post-conflict reconstruction programme (small and
medium-size enterprise development), IOM initiated a school rehabilitation
project in South Iraq (area between Umm Qasr and Basra). Contracts have
been already signed, and IOM is now working on implementation modalities
focusing on participation of local communities.

MAG: The NGO continues mine clearance surveys in the areas under Kurdish
control. Detailed information on the findings will be shared with the
humanitarian community shortly, and will be posted to the HIC website (
http://www.agoodplacetostart.org).

DART: Teams are based in Erbil and Nassiriya. Assessment reports are
available on the HIC website, as well as on the USAID website.

IMC: The NGO's medical assessment for North Iraq is available on the HIC
website.

ICS: A rapid assessment mission is in Baghdad. The initial findings
include: a lack of medicines and medical supplies, and poor water and
sanitation situation in the hospitals visited by the ICS team.

Hungarian Interchurch Aid: In addition to medicines, the lack of baby
formula in Baghdad was mentioned. SCF-UK noted that the Nutrition Sector
Coordinator is developing guidelines, according to which, baby formula
will be distributed primarily through hospitals.

NGOs Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI): NGOs present in Baghdad formed
a committee for the coordination of their activities in Iraq. Member
organisations include: PU, ISRA, Un Ponte Per, LIFE for Relief and
Development, and Intersos. New arriving humanitarian organisations are
encouraged to contact the committee (PU e-mail: puamman@nets.com.jo, sat.
tel: 00 88 2166 322 5455 ).

3. AOB / Announcements

Medical Evacuation: Medical evacuation of children, if not done properly,
will cause family separation. The Child Protection Working Group
Coordinator for Iraq advised NGOs to consult the guidelines available on
the HIC or the Coordinator (Andrew Mawson, email: amawson@unicef.org), or
the Working Group (IRC, SCF, WV, EDM) before taking action. Whenever
possible, aid should be largely provided rather than bringing a patient
outside for such aid.

Monitoring IHL in Iraq: In response to the need for timely and targeted
information on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) during the armed
conflict in Iraq, a IHL resource is launched by the Geneva-based
Integrated Research and Information System project (IRIS), in cooperation
with the Harvard Programme on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research
(HPCR). A new information resource, Monitoring IHL in Iraq, is located at
http://www.ihlresearch.org/iraq. The HPCR will hold a briefing on
humanitarian action under occupation on Wednesday 23 April, from 1400 --
1600, at UNDP conference room (Contact person is Naz Modirzadeh, e-mail:
nmodirza@hsph.harvard.edu).

Incorporating Child Protection in Humanitarian Response: The Child
Protection Working Group for Iraq developed guidelines to incorporate
child protection in humanitarian response (flyers were made available at
the meeting). A workshop will be held on Wednesday 23 April, at 1400, at
the JNEPI office to present the basic concept of incorporating child
protection issues in the design and implementation of any humanitarian
response.

HIC: The Liaison Officer of HIC Larnaca encouraged NGOs to provide the HIC
with their reports, assessments, and guidelines to be posted on the HIC
website. This information sharing will promote the clear understanding of
the humanitarian situation in Iraq. (Contact person is Janet O'Callaghan,
e-mail: janocal_hic@hotmail.com). Meetings schedules are posted on the HIC
website and can be updated by users.

Merlin: The NGO suggested that briefings are provided on the issues at the
coordination level and regarding UN developments, which may impact on
NGOs' strategy.

Mine Action: UNICEF Mine Action Officer informed that a mine action plan
was developed together with key mine action NGOs. A mass mine awareness
campaign is to be initiated in South and Central Iraq, primarily through
schools. Apart from the existing networks (schools and WFP food
distribution points), the UNICEF Mine Action Office is seeking other
networks that NGOs may suggest (Contact person is Ben Lark, e-mail:
blark@unicef.org). UNMAS will visit Amman shortly and will hold briefings
on the issue.

IMC: The NGO intends to conduct further assessments in North Iraq and
requested security-related information. MAG will be able to provide
mine-related information. Contacts with people on the ground were
suggested.

HelpAge Intl: Information sheets on Guidelines for Best Practice: Older
people in disasters and humanitarian crisis, and Older People: What are
their needs and their rights, were made available at the meeting.


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