Pre-Crisis Market Analysis: Credit, Drinking Water and Wheat Flour Market Systems, Tilkaif and Shikhan districts, Ninewa Plains, Northern Iraq - Informing emergency response and preparedness ahead of the counter-offensive to recapture Mosul from ISIS

Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, was captured by ISIS in June 2014 and remains under their control. The Iraqi army has vowed to recapture Mosul and the speculation is that a counter-offensive is imminent – a military operation which could have dramatic humanitarian implications. A large influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing towards the Ninewa plains would have an impact on markets in the area.

All humanitarian interventions have an impact on markets, and understanding market dynamics is fundamental to (1) doing no harm, (2) increasing efficiency and effectiveness and (3) strengthening both emergency response and livelihoods promotion interventions.

This report describes an exercise carried out in February 2016 by Oxfam and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) using Pre-Crisis Market Analysis (PCMA) to inform preparedness and emergency response interventions by understanding the market systems that are critical to supporting the basic needs and livelihoods recovery needs of populations affected by displacement in the Ninewa plains.