Emergency Assistance to Populations Affected by the Iraq Crisis

This operation has been modified as per budget revision 11.

In response to the conflict in Al-Anbar governorate in Iraq, Emergency Operation 200677 will provide life-saving, time-critical food assistance to internally displaced  persons, vulnerable households within the conflict zones, and vulnerable groups in areas with high concentrations of internally displaced persons due to the crisis. 

As a result of increased fighting in Al-Anbar governorate, specifically around the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, thousands of families have become displaced since 30  December 2013. As of 12 February 2014, the Ministry of Displacement and Migration announced that more than 62,000 families have been displaced due to the armed conflict within and outside Al-Anbar governorate and are in need of humanitarian assistance. People fled the conflict with few possessions, and do not  have regular access to food and other basic needs. 

WFP will conduct general food distributions to quickly and efficiently provide food in areas of conflict and insecurity, providing pre-packaged rations which meet over 80
percent of daily caloric requirements. Due to the security constraints in the affected areas, market assessments, stable supply chains, and price volatility render it unsuitable to initiate cash or voucher transfer modalities at this time. WFP has commissioned a needs assessment in Al-Anbar among internally displaced persons, besieged populations and host communities through a credible commercial service provider which will allow WFP to refine targeting. As the entire Al-Anbar governorate has been declared security Level 6 - ‘extreme’, movement of United Nations staff is not possible in this area.

The Ministry of Displacement and Migration is leading the humanitarian response and has officially requested United Nations assistance in responding to the crisis, including food assistance. WFP’s response plan is in line with the United Nations’ strategy. The Cluster system has been activated. WFP co-leads in the Food Security Cluster and leads in the Logistics Cluster. A Strategic Response Plan has been prepared by the Humanitarian Country Team, appealing for USD103 million, including USD25 million for food security-related activities. The Emergency Relief Coordinator has approved a USD5 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund of which WFP has received USD1 million for food assistance.