UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE ...

persons to live normal lives at even basic subsistence levels within Central and Southern
Iraq.
i. Access to Food (Public Distribution System, PDS)
The majority of families in Iraq are dependent on the Public Distribution System (PDS) to
meet their basic food needs. A lack of documentation is a key obstacle to obtaining the food
ration. In principle, IDPs can transfer their food ration cards to their place of relocation.
However, in practice this has not taken place in many areas for security reasons or
political/demographic concerns. 807 Persons not able to register with the authorities in their
place of displacement (see above restrictions on entry) are not able to transfer their ration
cards, and accordingly do not have access to the commodities under this programme.
In addition, security and sectarianism regularly hinder access, transportation and
distribution of the PDS, resulting in delays in delivery and distribution and shortfalls in
both the quality and quantity of items in the basket. Many food items do not reach either the
main or local warehouses. Food agents and drivers can fail to gain access to warehouses
and/or the recipient communities, and discrimination in the service delivery of the PDS is
also an issue in mixed areas.
ii. Access to Shelter
Housing is an urgent priority for the majority of IDPs in all governorates. Although many
are living with host families (relatives or friends), inadequate infrastructure-related
services, including access to sanitation, potable water and electricity, pose additional health
risks to many IDPs, who are also faced with the additional crisis of overcrowding. This is
particularly true in Central and Southern Iraq. The inability of many IDPs to contribute to
household expenses increases this problem. A significant number of IDP families are also
living in public buildings in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions with limited access to
electricity. A smaller number are living in collective towns and several hundreds in tented
camps. 808
Whilst significant numbers of IDPs have been able to rent housing in recent months, lack of
employment opportunities and depleting financial resources make it difficult for these
families to continue rental payments. Some IDPs residing in public buildings live with the
threat of eviction.
807 IDPs are supposed to return to their place of origin in order to file a request to transfer the food ration
cards. This also involves a financial burden. Given that the food ration cards serve as the basis for voter
registration for Iraqi elections and referenda, they have acquired political significance. As a consequence,
IDPs cannot transfer their food ration cards to the Governorate of Kirkuk, whose demographics are highly
disputed. On the other hand, some towns are reportedly reluctant to allow families to take their ration cards
when they move, as they do not wish to decrease their political weight; see Kristèle Younès, The world’s
fastest growing refugee crisis, Refugees International, March 2007, p. 5, http://www.refugeesinternational.
org/files/9915_file_RI_Iraqreport.pdf.
808 Cluster F, Update 23 May 2007, see above footnote 22.
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