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IOM Vision
IOM will support the Government of Iraq (GoI) to develop and implement inclusive strategies towards well-managed migration, as well as recovery, peacebuilding, and stabilization initiatives that address root causes and drivers of displacement, inclusive of climate change and environmental degradation, and support durable solutions. Migrants, displaced populations, returnees and host communities in Iraq are able to exercise their rights in an inclusive and equitable environment.
Context analysis
Despite the end of the conflict with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to be characterized by general instability, protracted internal displacement, the lack of public services, as well as inadequate shelter and housing. Humanitarian and protection needs remain significant across the country, despite the discontinuation of the humanitarian cluster system and the transition away from a post-conflict context towards durable solutions, stabilization, and sustainable development.
According to IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), as of August 2023, more than 1.14 million people remain displaced mainly across Dohuk, Ninewa, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, Diyala, and Anbar, with 166,330 people living in camps and 100,278 people in critical shelter conditions. Multiple humanitarian challenges persist as a result of years of violent conflict, massive displacement of populations, and structural challenges such as government and economic dysfunction, as well as unresolved tensions and grievances.
The post-conflict period has seen the gradual return of more than 4.8 million people to their areas of origin according to the DTM data as of August 2023. IOM DTM's Return Index indicates that 600,480 individuals among the total returnees live in locations presenting high-severity conditions, questioning the sustainability of returns. Compounded factors such as limited access to services due to barriers, including stigmatization and social norms, harassment, traumas arising from the conflict, and limited livelihood opportunities put women, girls, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups at a heightened protection risk and facing negative coping mechanisms. The main protection risks they face include exploitation and abuse, gender-based violence (GBV), trafficking in persons (TiP), economic insecurity, and inadequate access to health, education, and other basic services. They are also at risk of displacement and face restrictions on movement due to a lack of civil documentation.
Households who have returned are often facing, on top of existing vulnerabilities, a lack of access to basic services, including health, water and sanitation, psychosocial and protection services, as well as livelihood opportunities; challenges related to safety and social cohesion; and lack of safe and dignified housing. In some instances, households have returned to areas highly affected by intra-group violence or to areas under the control of multiple security actors. Returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) with perceived affiliation to extremist groups such as ISIL might be exposed to harassment or retaliatory attacks, which might, in turn, reignite community violence.
Moreover, IDPs who want to return also often face issues related to access to housing; housing, land and property rights; and general access to documentation and public services. Secondary displacement or relocation and integration of displaced people to non-camp areas stretches the absorption capacity of the often already vulnerable host communities and jeopardizes social cohesion. Economic conditions, in general, remain challenging in Iraq, with a lack of competitiveness in various sectors of the economy, the impact of the conflict and now protracted displacement.
Iraq has been named the fifth-most vulnerable country to climate change, affected by soaring temperatures, insufficient and diminishing rainfall, intensified droughts and water scarcity, frequent sand and dust storms, and flooding. Compounding this, water policies in neighbouring countries have shrunk vital water sources, while rapid population growth, urbanization, and inefficient water use by the agricultural and industrial sectors are propelling demand for more water. Without preparation and planning, the scale of environmental change is likely to be devastating and may force Iraqis to relocate in order to survive. Climate migration is already a reality in Iraq [1]. As of September 2023, IOM recorded more than 130,788 individuals as displaced due to water scarcity in 12 governorates experiencing displacement, high salinity, and poor water quality across Iraq. The deteriorating water situation in Iraq has led to significant declines in agricultural productivity, livestock raising, and fishing activities, affecting the livelihoods and health of communities residing there. As environmental changes intensify, displacement is likely to increase exponentially. Most cities are not well prepared to absorb the recent (and increasing) influx of climate migrants, according to IOM data from September 2023.