I. POST-FEBRUARY 2006 IDP ASSESSMENTS: BACKGROUND
Following the 22 February 2006 bombing of the Samarra Al-Askari Mosque, sectarian violence led to an alarming increase in population displacement within Iraq. In coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) and other entities, IOM is conducting in-depth assessments on recently displaced persons throughout Iraq.
IOM monitors use IDP Rapid Assessment questionnaires to gather information from MoDM, IDP tribal and community leaders, local NGOs, local government bodies, and individual IDP families. Based on a database of this information, IOM disseminates bi-weekly, bi-annual, and annual reports containing updates, statistics, and analysis on displacement.(1) These assist IOM and other organizations in prioritizing areas of operation, planning emergency responses, and designing long-term, durable solutions programs.
As of the time of writing, there are an estimated 1.2 million(2) Iraqis internally displaced since February 2006. While the rate of displacement has decreased considerably towards the end of 2007 and some IDPs are beginning to return, the number of displaced is still significant and far exceeds the number who have returned.
This is one of six Iraq Governorate Profile reports released by IOM at the close of 2007. These reports profile the displacement situation in each Iraq governorate, using statistics and reporting from the field.
II. OVERVIEW
1. Area Background
Babylon, situated in the center of the country, suffers from a destroyed economy and high unemployment. Its relative security and proximity to Baghdad have attracted a large number of IDPs, but instability further north has spilled into Babylon. It has become a primary destination of Shia IDPs heading south.
Since the collapse of the former regime, Kerbala has been the focus of substantial numbers of religious pilgrims who travel to Shia shrines. Many IDPs fled to Kerbala before 2003, and the numbers have increased dramatically since 22 February 2006. Najaf is situated in southern Iraq and hosts one of the two holiest Shia cities in Iraq.
Najaf city is a destination for Shia pilgrims, with Mecca and Medina being the only other locations that receive more Muslim pilgrims. The city is also the centre of Shia political power in Iraq.
2. Restrictions on IDP Entry or Registration
IDP entry into Babylon is not officially restricted. Prior to September 2007, MoDM Babylon registration was restricted by governor’s order; in September, MoDM resumed registration following a July letter from the Prime Minister’s office advising against local authorities’ restrictions on IDP registration. IDP entry into Kerbala and Najaf is heavily restricted and IDPs are unable to enter with furniture. MoDM is registering IDPs in Kerbala and Najaf.
3. Ethnicity and Religion
Almost all (97%) IDPs assessed in the reporting area were Shia Arab.
MAP - Iraq: Babylon - IDP Locations, December 2007
MAP - Iraq: Kerbala - IDP Locations, December 2007
MAP - Iraq: Najaf - IDP Locations, December 2007
Notes:
(1) IOM reports are available at http://www.iom-iraq.net/idp.html.
(2) Based on information provided by MoDM and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
(3) As per 1997 census; number is individuals.
(4) As per Ministry of Displacement and Migration. See latest Cluster F Update on IDPs, 19 Sept 2007.
(5) As per IOM Phase II Monitoring, December 2005.
(6) Please note that this is the number of post-February 2006 IDPs assessed by IOM, not the total number of IDPs in the governorate.