One year after Mosul’s liberation, eight million tons[1] of conflict debris, littered with explosive remnants of war, still contaminate the city, and thousands of injured people are trying to access medical treatment. Meanwhile, more than 300,000[2] displaced people are still surviving in camps and communities as Mosul, littered with explosive remnants of war, remains a ticking time bomb. Humanity & Inclusion (the new name of Handicap International), released a fact sheet about the situation in Mosul. Download it here.

Unprecedented contamination

Between October 2016 and July 2017, 1,717 airstrikes and 2,867 explosive hazard incidents hit the city of Mosul, leaving behind an unprecedented amount of explosive remnants of war. Added to this are the thousands of victim-activated improvised explosive devices left as traps by the Islamic State group. In Al-Shifa hospital alone, mine actors found 1,500 explosive remnants of war[3]. Even today, accidents are numerous and whole areas of the city remain inaccessible due to heavy contamination. Since July 10, 2017, Humanity & Inclusion received reports of 127 accidents involving 186 casualties in Nineveh province. This figure is likely higher, as the exact the number of casualties is uncertain.

The consequences for civilians are serious: death, severe injuries, permanent impairments, including a high number of amputations of upper and lower limbs. Between July 10, 2017 and March 15, 2018, Humanity & Inclusion provided rehabilitation services to 1,225 people. Among them, 34% were injured in the conflict[4], and out of these people 86% were injured by explosive weapons.

The massive presence of explosive remnants in the city prevents people from returning to normal life after years of trauma. As of May 15, 2018, 57% of displaced persons from the Nineveh district[5] did not plan to return to their homes. Among them, 22% cite the presence of victim-activated IEDs and explosive remnants as a reason for non-return.

Years to rebuild and clear

Humanity & Inclusion is calling on the international community to face up to its responsibilities. The disproportion of the attacks carried out, and the size of the remaining threat posed by victim-activated IEDs and explosive remnants make Mosul one of the most contaminated cities in the world.

"The urgent need is to clear contaminated areas, raise awareness of the dangers of explosive remnants and to ensure assistance to the casualties, survivors and indirect victims,” says Thomas Hugonnier, who leads Humanity & Inclusion’s mine action operations. "On the ground, we are operational, but the challenge now is for States to support demining operations in the long term. The international community must do everything in its power to remove the obstacles preventing the people of Mosul from returning to a normal life.”

NOTE TO EDITORS

Interviews available with Thomas Hugonnier, head of mine action operations at HI

About Humanity & Inclusion

Humanity & Inclusion (the new name of Handicap International) is an independent charity working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work tirelessly alongside disabled and vulnerable people to help meet their basic needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has set up development programs in more than 60 countries and intervenes in numerous emergency situations. The network of 8 national associations (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States) works constantly to mobilize resources, co-manage projects and promote the principles and actions of the organization. Humanity & inclusion is one of the six founding associations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize and winner of the 2011 Conrad N. Hilton Prize.

[1] UN Habitat and the United Nations Environment Programme

[2] Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

[3] United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

[4] These injuries include bullet wounds, explosive weapons and other forms of violence (including torture), and injuries caused by events related to the crisis

[5] REACH, CCCM cluster, Iraq: Camps Intentions Survey Round 2 National Level, January 2018

Last June, 11-year-old Omar had his left leg amputated after being injured in a bomb attack in Mosul. Today, he receives rehabilitation care from Handicap International at the Muharibeen Hospital in Iraq. 

Eleven-year-old Fetyan was out buying ice-cream with his cousin when he was caught in the middle of a terrorist attack. “It happened on June 23 at precisely 9:30pm,” Mohammad says of the day his son was injured in Mosul. “First, two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the street. Fetyan, his cousin, and the other customers managed to take shelter in the basement of the ice-cream shop. But then a third suicide bomber appeared and ran toward them. He blew himself up just next to my son.” 

The bombing of civilians in urban areas is commonplace in present-day conflicts. Bombing not only kills and maims civilians, it destroys entire neighborhoods. The bombing of homes has a terrible impact on civilians including forced displacement, extreme hardship for families, and the contamination of affected areas.

“My whole family was sitting on the roof of our building when suddenly the bombs started falling," Raneen explains. "I remember seeing my body riddled with shrapnel and my leg covered in blood. Out of my family, I had the worst injuries.”

“The missiles began to fall in Mosul and I immediately passed out," Salah says of the day his world changed. "I woke up in the hospital. They told me I had shrapnel in my spine and might never walk again. They also told me that my eight-year-old daughter died the same day.” Salah’s eyes starts to tear up.

Now living in Hasansham camp in Iraq, Salah receives rehabilitation care from our team. The temperature at the camp fluctuates between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit, making Salah very tired. “It’s so hot here, we can’t stay cooped up inside," he says while tapping his leg with a small wooden spoon. “Since my accident, this spoon has been my best friend. I never let it out of my sight." Salah uses the spoon to relieve pain that has persisted for months.

Mohammad, a physical therapist with Handicap International has been working with Salah for several weeks. The physical therapy sessions seem to help him mourn the loss of his daughter and adjust to his new situation.

“I met Mohammad just after I arrived in the camp. A neighbor came to see me and told me he knew someone who helps people like me. Mohammad gave me a wheelchair and a walker and now he does muscle-strengthening exercises with me. Since I arrived here, Handicap International has been the only organization to assist me. The sessions are helping me move forward.”

When asked about the future, Salah explains that he doesn't know whether or not he'll return to Mosul. “Everything I had there was destroyed. I’m still very affected by my daughter’s death. All I want now is to live in peace, in a country where I can be treated properly."

Mosul emergency: Fighting between armed groups and government forces in Iraq in recent years has displaced more than three million people. An estimated 11 million civilians already need humanitarian assistance in the country. The Mosul offensive has presented international organizations with an unprecedented challenge. More than 485,000 people have fled the city since last October.

Handicap International and the Iraqi crisis: More than 200,000 people have benefited from Handicap International’s actions since the launch of its emergency operations in Iraq in 2014. Our actions are regularly reviewed to take into account a highly volatile situation across the whole of Iraqi territory. Handicap International currently organizes population protection activities, raises awareness of the risk from mines and conventional weapons, conducts non-technical surveys and clears potentially hazardous areas, provides physical and functional rehabilitation and psychosocial support, supports health centers, organizes training and advocacy, and provides technical support to partners to enhance the inclusion of vulnerable people (people with disabilities, casualties, older people, and others) within their services.

At Hasansham camp in Iraq, eleven-year-old Amira lies perfectly still and silent on a mattress, moving only to brush away the flies that buzz erratically above her head. When Handicap International’s physical therapist, Mohammad, arrives for her rehabilitation session, she keeps her eyes firmly shut and refuses to speak to him. It takes a little while for Mohammad to set her mind at ease and gain her trust.

“I meet a lot of children like Amira,” explains Mohammad. “Some are still deeply traumatized by what they’ve been through over the last few years. Others suffer too, but from their injuries alone. They’re frightened that the physical therapy exercises are going to hurt. The first sessions are the most important part of my work because the children need to see me as their ally, someone who’s going to help them recover with time.”

Amira finally opens her eyes, a shy smile crossing her face. Mohammad manages to convince her to do a few movements to assess the seriousness of her condition. Because her leg still hurts, she finds the exercises difficult. “She should have recovered a long time ago,” explains Mohammad. “It doesn’t take that long for a broken leg to heal. But Amira can’t even walk. What made things much worse was the fact that she wasn’t given proper care for so long.” 

Amira’s father, Hamid supports her as she stands, trying to walk with the crutches given to her by Handicap International. “It’s only the second time in three months she has stood on two legs,” he says. “Amira’s muscles and tendons are still badly affected,” adds Mohammad. “And her foot is now seriously deformed. But we’re going to carry on with the exercises so she can walk. First, with the crutches and then, at some point, without mobility aids.” 

Although Amira was injured in March, she was just given the proper treatment until June, when she reached the camp. “We were at home when we were hit by a missile,” her father says. “One of the walls fell on top of Amira and she was seriously injured. We were taken to Mosul Hospital and stayed there for a few days, but the care was really basic. Then we stayed in the city for three more months. We were under siege and couldn’t escape. We were all living in a small room without food or water, waiting for an opportunity to flee. Imagine living for three months like that.” 

At the end of her physical therapy session, Mohammad adds: “I’m also going to ask my psychologist colleague to meet Amira. It’s essential she overcomes her fears and that her family understands why their support is an important part of her recovery.” As Amira sits back down, she turns to Mohammad and asks: “And you, when are you coming to see me again for another session?”

Mosul emergency: Fighting between armed groups and government forces in Iraq in recent years has displaced more than three million people. An estimated 11 million civilians already need humanitarian assistance in the country. The Mosul offensive has presented international organizations with an unprecedented challenge. More than 485,000 people have fled the city since last October.

Handicap International and the Iraqi crisis: More than 200,000 people have benefited from Handicap International’s actions since the launch of its emergency operations in Iraq in 2014. Our actions are regularly reviewed to take into account a highly volatile situation across the whole of Iraqi territory. Handicap International currently organizes population protection activities, raises awareness of the risk from mines and conventional weapons, conducts non-technical surveys and clears potentially hazardous areas, provides physical and functional rehabilitation and psychosocial support, supports health centers, organizes training and advocacy, and provides technical support to partners to enhance the inclusion of vulnerable people (people with disabilities, casualties, older people, and others) within their services.

Handicap International, along with 27 other NGOs working together to provide assistance and protection for civilians affected by the conflict in Iraq, share the following concerns and recommendations in advance of the meeting of the coalition to counter ISIL in Washington, D.C.

Considerations for protecting civilians and ensuring access to assistance during military operations

First and foremost, as required by international humanitarian law, we remind all armed actors of their responsibility to protect civilian life and civilian objects and ensure access to life-saving assistance for those caught up in ongoing and future military offensives in Iraq.

Since the beginning of the military operations to counter ISIL, civilians trapped under siege-like conditions in areas such as Ramadi, Fallujah, and Mosul have experienced extreme risks from starvation, use as human shields and death at the hands of ISIL snipers, and relentless coalition and Iraqi airstrikes and artillery barrages.

Although the city of Mosul has been declared ‘retaken’ by the Iraqi government, civilians are still not out of harm’s way. As seen in east Mosul, it could take weeks for Iraqi forces to regain full control over the city, and longer still for explosive hazards to be cleared. Even then, ISIL sleeper cells are likely to persist, and attacks—like those seen in previously retaken areas of Mosul— continue to threaten the lives of civilians.

As military action continues, coalition and partner forces must exercise distinction, proportion, and precautionii in their operations across the country, while protecting civilians and facilitating their access to safety. In addition, it is imperative that any measures by actors to facilitate access to safety for civilians do not put them at further risk of harm—such as the use of banned weapons, white phosphorous, and explosive weapons in populated areas; inadequate communication on available options of safe routes and areas; or inability to guarantee and maintain genuine safety.

Coalition and partner forces must also apply these principles in the expected offensives in Hawija, Tal Afar, and western Anbar. Civilian protection and access to assistance must be prioritized in the planning and implementation of military operations, and the role of impartial humanitarian organizations and their operational space must be respected by all armed actors. The needs are severe for those who have already fled and for the approximately 150,000 civiliansiii thought to be trapped in these areas. These populations will need support, not distrust, after surviving years of living under ISIL. It is therefore critical that military actors liaise with the humanitarians working on the ground to ensure assistance is accessible and that protection concerns are properly monitored and addressed.

We are gravely concerned by reports that civilians are experiencing further protection risks and human rights abuses by armed actors on all sides of the conflict, including sexual exploitation and abuse, confiscation of documentation, child recruitment, discrimination or exclusion from entitlements, eviction, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, disappearance, execution, and different forms of collective punishment. We strongly urge all parties in the conflict to refrain from perpetrating, allowing, or ignoring other actors’ use of excessive force, abuse of power, or any action that violates Iraqi civilians’ human rights, regardless of real or perceived ISIL-affiliation. Such abuses not only harm civilians, but serve to underscore historical grievances and undercut prospects for reconciliation.

Considerations for prioritizing investment in inclusive recovery and reconciliation efforts

We cannot wait for the military offensives to conclude before we start planning for, and investing in the future of Iraq. We urge coalition partners and the international community to consider the ongoing assistance and protection needs which will remain beyond the military campaign. It is critical that early recovery and resilience initiatives are prioritized now by donors, humanitarian and development actors, and international and local leadership.

One third of Iraq’s population, 11 million people, are anticipated to require humanitarian assistance in 2017. Current funding levels are inadequate to meet even the prioritized needs, as evidenced by the Humanitarian Response Plan which is only 42% fundediv. Ensuring sustained funding so that civilians have access to principled assistance and protection during the current conflict and its immediate aftermath will greatly contribute to the longer-term recovery and reconciliation of communities.

Civilians across Iraq in areas already retaken from ISIL continue to experience protracted, secondary, and tertiary displacement. Over 1.75 million people are still displaced in center-south governorates in Iraq, and even in areas where ISIL has been gone for over a year, the conditions for safe and voluntary returns are still not being met. Remaining insecurity; lack of basic services; explosive hazards contamination; and damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure— including schools and hospitals—all continue to pose barriers to return. In spite of these conditions, some civilians have experienced pressure to return to their areas of origin, while others have been prevented from returningvi . We call on Iraqi leadership, with support from the international community, to develop and implement an inclusive durable solutions framework, which supports safe, voluntary, informed, and dignified returns, and provides for local integration solutions for displaced families who are unwilling or unable to return to their areas of origin.

Further, Iraqi authorities, local institutions, and community leaders must work together to enhance social cohesion by facilitating peaceful co-existence between communities and equitable access to resources and safety for all Iraqis. We encourage the development of a defined strategy for governance and reconciliation which clearly addresses the root causes of conflict, such as human rights violations, political exclusion, economic marginalization and discrimination, land and governance disputes, and lack of accountability. It is critical that any such strategy includes the full participation of women, youth, and minority groups.

We must work collectively to rebuild communities, not just infrastructurevii . All recovery, reconciliation, and long-term support initiatives should actively engage civil society to enable selfreliance and contribute to the resilience of all Iraqis in their chosen locations. Ensuring inclusivity is critical to the sustainability of every effort towards recovery and peace.

Signatories:

1. Action Against Hunger
2. Afkar Society for Development and Relief
3. Alind Organization
4. Alkhair Humanitarian Organization
5. Al-Amal Association
6. ASB
7. Christian Aid
8. Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC)
9. AL- Eslah Association for Social Development
10. Handicap International
11. Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.
12. Human Relief Foundation
13. The International Rescue Committee
14. Médecins du Monde
15. Mercy Corps
16. Mission East
17. Norwegian Refugee Council
18. Oxfam
19. PAX
20. Peace and Freedom Organization (PFO)
21. Première Urgence Internationale
22. Al- Rakeezeh Foundation for Relief and Development (RRD)
23. REACH Organization- Iraq
24. Representative of Nineveh Voluntary for IDPs (RNVDO)
25. Save the Children
26. Welthungerhilfe (WHH)
27. World Vision International
28. Zhian Health Organization (ZHO)