Iraq

Social, ethnic, and sectarian tensions persist in Iraq more than three years after the country’s victory over Islamic State (IS) in 2017. The Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) continues to experience security tensions in areas bordering Turkey, while northwestern and central governorates continue to be at risk of IS-initiated violent attacks. The southern region has been exposed to tribal clashes, criminal activity, and political violence because of the security forces’ focus on fighting IS insurgency in central and northern Iraq. Frustration over corruption, poor public services, and lack of jobs has led to widespread public protests, mainly in the south region and Baghdad?

There are approximately 1.18 million IDPs in Iraq, more than 70% of whom are located in Ninewa, Dahuk, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk governorates?. The majority of IDPs live in private settings, while around 20% are in camps ?. As at November 2021, more than 4.93 million IDPs had returned to their areas of origin or other areas. The returnees mostly went to Ninewa, Anbar, Salah Al-Din, Kirkuk, and Diyala governorates ?. 

Many IDPs face relocation or forced returns because of camp closures, which are part of a government campaign, ongoing since 2019, to return IDPs home. As at January 2021, 16 IDP sites had been closed. Three formal camps in Anbar and Ninewa governorates and 25 camps in the KRI remain open ?. The prolonged nature of displacement leads to increased vulnerabilities among returnees and IDPs who face multiple needs, including health, food, livelihoods, and adequate shelter ?.