Iraq Governorate Profiles on Displacement and Return

The International Organization for Migration – Mission in Iraq is pleased to release the first 9 of its 18 updated Iraq Governorate Profiles on Displacement and Return, covering Anbar, Baghdad, Dahuk, Diyala, Erbil, Kerbala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Sulaymaniyah. The profiles are presented in a new format including an expanded section on current and potential return in each governorate, a focus on female-headed households, and a sample of IOM’s recommendations for specific future projects. These profiles are intended to provide a clear picture of post-Samarra displacement and return in Iraq. They emphasize the similarities and differences of needs, intentions, and living conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in Iraq’s 18 governorates.

Profiles highlight assessments of 223,898 IDP families and 55,007 returnee families. Most returnees identified by IOM have come home to Baghdad, making a total of 33,196 returnee families there. According to the intentions of IOM-assessed IDPs, Karkh and Resafa districts of Baghdad stand to receive the biggest waves of return. Unfortunately, Iraqi families’ difficulties continue after return. Returnees find destroyed homes and livelihoods and need help rebuilding.

Potential returnees say that their future decisions depend on many factors. Along with improvement in security, some are waiting for the outcome of a nationwide Council of Representatives election scheduled for January 2010. Others are awaiting assurance that they can regain their properties and have access to basic services. Among those currently displaced across all of Iraq’s governorates, 10% on average are female headed households (FHHs). The number of FHHs is much higher in Diyala and Kerbala governorates, reaching nearly 20%.

As displacement is prolonged for many IDP families who do not believe it is safe enough to return, they struggle with higher rents and fewer job opportunities. Communities with IDPs and returnees need to be supported in order to make returns sustainable and not cause more displacement. Assistance to displaced, returning and vulnerable populations will remain the core of IOM’s activities in 2009-2010. Building the capacity of the government will be an integral part of all of these activities.

Contact:
Liana Paris, IOM Iraq mission: lparis@iom.int
Rex Alamban, IOM Iraq mission: ralamban@iom.int

The launch of "Plural + Video Festival", A Youth Produced Video Festival on Migration and Diversity

In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration and other international partners, the United Nations-Alliance of Civilizations is launching a youth video festival exploring themes related to migration, diversity and identity. Recognizing youth as powerful agents of social change in a world often characterized by intolerance, and cultural and religious divisions, PLURAL+ is aimed at involving youth in addressing the key issues in their community related to migrant integration, inclusiveness, identity, diversity, human rights and social cohesiveness. Download brochure              Read more