Following the February 2006 bombing of the Samarra Al-Askari Mosque, escalating sectarian violence in Iraq caused massive displacement, both internal and to locations abroad. In coordination with the Iraqi government's Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), IOM continues to assess the movement of Iraqis through a network of partners on the ground.
Significantly fewer Iraqis were displaced in 2007 than were displaced in 2006, suggesting that internal displacement in Iraq has slowed. However, displacement continues to occur in some locations and the humanitarian situation of those already displaced is worsening. The limited returns that have occurred so far represent only a small fraction of the displaced population. Internal displacement in Iraq continues to be a major humanitarian crisis, demanding both assessment and a targeted humanitarian response.
The estimated number of displaced since 22 February 2006 is almost 1,270,000 individuals (2) . This figure, combined with the 1.2 million individuals (3) who were internally displaced before 22 February, results in a total of nearly 2.5 million individuals displaced within Iraq to date.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY ON IRAQI DISPLACEMENT:
Continuing Humanitarian Crisis
Many among the post-February 2006 IDP population have now been living in displacement for nearly two years. For a population that did not expect to remain in displacement long, the humanitarian crisis is worsening. In the midst of a devastated economy, meager national resources, a dysfunctional services infrastructure, and widespread unemployment, IDPs are increasingly unable to meet their basic needs. IDPs assessed by IOM consistently rank shelter as the highest rated priority need. At the close of 2007 and in the first month of 2008, IOM monitoring observed a sharp increase in eviction reports as especially vulnerable IDP groups are being forced out of the areas where they have taken shelter.
The onset of a cold winter has exacerbated the IDP humanitarian situation. Widespread electrical shortages and a national fuel crisis mean that few IDPs can properly heat their shelter, which is often inadequate in the first place. Fuel distributions are often provided to IDPs with valid PDS cards, so those IDPs without access to PDS rations are especially vulnerable in winter, since they cannot afford the extremely high fuel prices.
New Displacement
Violence continues to cause displacement. Multi-National Forces in Iraq/Iraqi Forces (MNF-I/IF) military operations and fighting between insurgents and "awakening" forces in Kirkuk and Salah Al-Din have displaced large numbers of families. A massive explosion in Mosul in January displaced dozens of families, and a new offensive by MNF-I/IF against insurgents in the area may well result in additional displacement. During the Ashura holiday in January, fighting broke out in several southern governorates. Turkish military incursions caused displacement along the northern border in December and fear of additional military operations continues.
IDP Returns
Return movements continue as conditions deteriorate in places of displacement and security improves in some areas in Iraq. MoDM governorate offices are currently registering both refugee and IDP returnees, but returns are difficult to measure since not all returnees are registering with MoDM. At the close of 2007 MoDM reported that 9,657 IDP families, about 60,000 individuals, had returned to Baghdad4. The Iraqi Red Crescentreports that 46,000 individuals have returned to Baghdad from Syria by the end of December5. Returns (like displacement) appear to be concentrated in Baghdad. IOM monitoring is assessing IDP and refugee returnees throughout Iraq and has identified only about two thousand returnee individuals outside Baghdad governorate, although there are likely many more.
Of IDPs assessed by IOM since February
2006, 31% reported that their property had been occupied. As returns continue,
the settlement of property disputes is likely to become a critical issue
that demands a mechanism for solution. Property disputes involving returnees
may ignite new violence or displacement. In some cases IDPs have returned
home and been displaced again by renewed threats in their place of origin.
Many returnees find their homes or livelihoods destroyed and are in secondary
displacement: some assessments suggest that only 20 to 30% of returnees
are returning to their actual houses6. While IOM does not advocate for
the return of Iraqis due to a still unstable situation throughout the country,
there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance that supports vulnerable
IDPs, returnees, and host communities.
Notes
(1) Due to the release of IOM's comprehensive Governorate Profiles and 2007 Iraq Displacement Year in Review reports in December and January, the bi-weekly report was on hiatus between 1 December 2007 and 1 February 2008.
(2) See the IDP Working Group Internally Displaced Persons in Iraq Update (28 January 2008).
(3) As per IOM monitoring for the 15 central and southern governorates and UNOPS/UNHCR for the three northern governorates. See Cluster F Update, 19 September 2007.
(4) See the 24 December 2007 MoDM report, "Summary Results IDP Registration - February 2006 To December 2007."