UNHCR Second Rapid Assessment of Return
of Iraqis from Displacement Locations in Iraq and from
Neighbouring Countries
Conducted through Protection and Assistance Centres and Implementing Partners
UNHCR Iraq Operation: February 2008
UNHCR has clear criteria for promotion of returns and those criteria are not met by the
current situation in Iraq. Therefore, UNHCR is not promoting returns to Iraq in the present
circumstances because UNHCR does not believe the conditions are there to enable return in
full safety and dignity on a meaningful scale.
António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Damascus/Syria, 14 February 2008
UNHCR is fully supportive of Iraqi citizens who have already returned to their home country
and is already providing assistance to them. UNHCR is also prepared to fully engage with the
Government of Iraq and other international actors to facilitate the creation of conditions for
the safe and dignified return of Iraqis to their homes.
2
Executive Summary
•
As of 31 December 2007, 1,268,873 persons have been recorded as being internally
displaced after the escalation of violence in the aftermath of the February 2006 Samarra
bombing. In addition, 190,146 persons have become internally displaced between 2003
and 2005. 1 The total estimated number of IDPs since March 2003 is therefore 1,459,019
individuals. As of September 2007, UNHCR’s partners have reported that fewer Iraqis are
being internally displaced each month compared with preceding months, mostly due to
sectarian homogenization at the governorate, district and neighbourhood level, as well as
the improved security situation in parts of Baghdad and Anbar.
•
From October to December 2007, an increase of 69,382 persons was recorded. This is due
to fresh displacement, time delays between displacement and registration of IDPs,
improved Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) registration procedures and
increased IDP access to these procedures. 2
•
UNHCR estimates that there are two million Iraqis displaced to other countries in the
region including 1,400,000 in Syria and 450,000-500,000 in Jordan. 3
•
Actual numbers of IDP and refugee returnees are currently uncertain. According to the
latest figures released by MoDM, nearly 6,000 IDP families returned to Baghdad between
February 2007 and December 2007. MoDM estimated on 26 November 2007 that
approximately 30,000 families had returned from abroad in 2007. The Iraqi Red Crescent
Society (IRCS) estimated that around 46,000 individuals returned to Baghdad between 15
September and 27 December 2007. 4
•
Data analyzed in this report include the movement of 3,241 IDP and 1,894 refugee
families recorded in November 2007 as well as the movement of 346 IDP and 313 refugee
families recorded in December 2007 in various locations in Iraq. 5
•
Iraqi and Syrian authorities report that more individuals crossed into Syria coming from
Iraq than vice versa at the Al-Waleed/ Al-Tanf border crossing during the last week of
January and first week of February 2008. Looking, however, at the period of 1 August
2007 to 6 February 2008, the number of individuals crossing into Iraq coming from Syria
has been higher than the number of persons crossing in the opposite direction. 6
•
Return movements are mostly happening to areas which have become
ethnically/religiously
homogeneous.
Returnees
mostly
return
to
those
neighbourhoods/districts/governorates under control of members of their sect. To date,
only a few families returned to areas under control of another sect.7
•
No members of minority groups (e.g., Christians, Sabaean-Mandaeans and Yazidis) have
been reported to be among the returnees. 8
•
What is reported as return includes secondary displacement. Difficulties in the place of
displacement and impossibility of returning to their homes are often the cause for repeated
movements of displaced persons. 9
1
See Section 2.
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid.
5
See Section 1.
6
See Section 10.
7
See Sections 3 and 8.
8
See Section 8.
9
See Section 6.
2
3
•
The main impediments to return in safety and dignity are ongoing sectarianism by groups
in control of a governorate, district or neighbourhood as well as destroyed or occupied
properties. 10 Many houses left behind by internally displaced persons (IDPs) were
occupied by other IDPs. 11
•
Limited access to basic services does not as such impede returns. However, returnees are
in need of basic services in addition to non-food items, food, shelter and employment. 12
•
UNHCR is fully supportive of returnees and is already providing assistance to them. 13
•
UNHCR remains concerned about the prevailing level of violence and sectarianism, the
sustainability of the current partial security improvements, the limited absorption capacity
(availability of basic services) in potential return areas and the lack of a cohesive
mechanism to recover property lost after April 2003. Therefore, UNHCR is neither
encouraging nor promoting returns to or within Iraq nor is it organizing any mass returns.
10
See Section 6.
See Section 7.
12
See Section 9.
13
See Section 11.
11
4
Table of Contents
Executive Summary .....................................................................................................................3
1.
Methodology ....................................................................................................................6
2.
Background ......................................................................................................................7
3.
Governorates and Districts Hosting Returnees ................................................................8
4.
Governorates and Countries Families Are Returning From ............................................9
5.
Reasons for Returning or Not Returning .......................................................................10
6.
Return to Place of Origin versus Return into Displacement..........................................10
7.
Occupied and Destroyed Housing .................................................................................11
8.
Ethnicity and Sect of Returnees.....................................................................................13
9.
Needs of Returnees ........................................................................................................14
10.
Movement across the Iraqi Borders with Syria and Iran ...............................................15
11.
Assistance Delivered to Families Returning From Internal and External
Displacement..................................................................................................................16
5
1. Methodology
A first rapid assessment was carried out by UNHCR’s Protection and Assistance Centres in all of
Iraq’s 18 Governorates in November 2007. A month later, a second assessment was carried out in
all Governorates in order to assess return trends from both outside and within the country. This
report provides an analysis of the results obtained through both assessments.
While the first Rapid Assessment recorded the movement of 3,241 IDP families and 1,894 refugee
families, the second Rapid Assessment accounted for the movement of 346 IDP and 313 refugee
families in various locations of the country.
The objective of this report is to provide an analysis of IDP/refugee movements that took place in
areas from which most returns were reported in each Governorate. In those areas, local authorities
and community representatives (governorate and municipal councils and local mayors [mukhtars])
were interviewed, resulting in 175 local situation reports.
The two rapid assessments are the source of information and data analyzed in this report, unless
otherwise indicated. Additional information from primary sources was used in compiling this
report. Due reference is made in these cases.
UNHCR has identified the following concerns which cumulatively and significantly impact trends
observed in the course of monitoring:
1. UNHCR’s PACs obtained information on IDP and refugee population movements based
on reports by local officials and leaders, not household surveys. The rapid assessment
reports are therefore limited to information obtained from these stakeholders in their
geographical areas.
2. UNHCR’s partners conducted this assessment in selected areas only. Districts reported to
be hosting the highest number of returnees in each governorate were identified on the basis
of informal reports received by partners.
3. Given its methodology, this assessment captures primarily those families, who were able
to return to their neighbourhoods and houses. Families, who were not able to successfully
return but either ended up in secondary displacement or were forced to return to their place
of displacement, were not easily accessible to the local authorities. This includes families
who faced security incidents or whose property has been occupied or destroyed. Therefore,
the high percentage of returnees able to access their homes should not be interpreted as
indicative of a general trend in the country. 14
4. Returning IDPs are eligible for financial assistance upon return to the Governorate of
Baghdad only, not to other Iraqi Governorates.
5. Returnees from abroad are not eligible for incentive payments upon return. Therefore, they
are not necessarily registering with the authorities upon return and more comprehensive
information regarding their movements is not available. Those Iraqis that returned from
Syria on a convoy organized by the Iraqi Government in November 2007 were officially
received and financially assisted; however, no information is yet available as to whether
assistance programmes will also be available to future returnees.
6. The Iraqi Authorities provided UNHCR with the figures of individuals crossing the AlWaleed/Al-Tanf border between Syria and Iraq. However, figures of cross-border
movements do not give an accurate picture of returns from abroad since these include all
border movements (including commercial contractors, businessmen and visitors).
14
The same finding was reported in January by MoDM/IOM; see MoDM/IOM, Returnee Monitoring and Needs
Assessments, Baghdad, January 2008. Available at: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWFiles2008.nsf/FilesByRWDoc
UnidFilename/EDIS-7BJN86-full_report.pdf/$File/full_report.pdf.
6
7. Access to specific neighbourhoods, particularly in the Governorates of Baghdad and
Diyala, remains restricted for security reasons.
UNHCR will be conducting regular assessments to provide updated return analysis, in which the
assessment methodology will be further refined.
This Rapid Assessment does not provide an overall picture of returns in Iraq or in a certain
location. Limited by its methodology, the figures gathered are not comprehensive of the returnee
population inside the country.
2. Background
a. Internally Displaced Persons
As of 31 December 2007, 1,268,873 persons were recorded as having entered into displacement
after February 2006. In addition, 190,146 persons have been displaced between 2003 and 2005. 15
As of January 2007, MoDM has recorded a slow decline in the rate of displacement in Iraq.
As of September 2007, UNHCR’s partners have reported that fewer Iraqis are being internally
displaced each month compared with preceding months, mostly due to sectarian homogenization
at the governorate, district and neighbourhood level, as well as the improved security situation in
parts of Baghdad and Anbar. 16
From October to December 2007, an additional 69,382 persons were recorded as displaced. 17 This
increase is due to: a) ongoing fresh displacement as confirmed by partner monitoring, including
displacement arising from armed conflict in the Governorate of Dahuk; b) time delays between a
person’s displacement and his/her registration as an IDP, c) improved Ministry of Displacement
and Migration (MoDM) registration procedures and entry of previously registered IDPs in the
central database, and d) increased IDP access to registration procedures.
Despite improved registration procedures, a number of IDPs are not allowed to register in
Northern and Southern Iraq. As a result, the number of individuals recorded as displaced may
underestimate the overall nationwide IDP population.
b. Iraqis Displaced in Neighbouring Countries
UNHCR estimates that there are two million Iraqis displaced to other countries in the region
including 1,400,000 in Syria 18 and 450,000-500,000 in Jordan. 19
c. Return from Internal and External Displacement
At this point in time, there is considerable uncertainty about the actual numbers of IDP and
refugee returnees. Available IDP return records may be more reliable given that MoDM has
already established the necessary registration procedures. According to the latest figures released
by MoDM, nearly 6,000 IDP families returned to Baghdad between February 2007 and December
2007. 20
15
In addition, 1.2 million Iraqis were internally displaced before 2003. IDP Working Group, Update on
Displacement, February 2008.
16
Ibid.
17
Ibid.
18
Statistics based on data provided by the Syrian Government in September 2007.
19
See UNHCR website: http://www.unhcr.org/home/PUBL/474ac8d811.pdf.
20
MoDM/IOM, Returnee Monitoring and Needs Assessments, Baghdad, January 2008, pp. 3 and 5.
7
IDP returnee registration has been strongly encouraged by the Governorate of Baghdad’s cash
grant of one million Iraqi Dinar (ID, approximately US $800) to facilitate their reintegration. Such
incentives are not presently available for IDPs returning to other Governorates nor to returnees
from abroad (see exception below).
With regard to returns of Iraqis displaced from neighbouring countries, MoDM estimated on 26
November 2007 that approximately 30,000 families had returned from abroad in 2007. The Iraqi
Red Crescent Society (IRCS) estimated that around 46,000 individuals returned to Baghdad
21
between 15 September and 27 December 2007. No further estimates were provided by the
Government of Iraq.
MoDM provided UNHCR with the following updates on return compensation:
• The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has allocated a budget of five billion ID (around
4 million US $) to be distributed for IDP returnees, covering a total of 5,000 families with
each family receiving one million ID (US $ 800). Payments have been made to 4,000
families and the OPM is looking to increase the budget for IDP return incentives.
• Three hundred sixty-five families that returned from Syria on a convoy organized by the
Iraqi Government of in the end of November 2007, received one million ID each through a
special allocation from the OPM. MoDM has no information on whether the Iraqi
Government intends to provide future incentives to returnees from abroad.
3. Governorates and Districts Hosting Returnees
ƒ
Nearly 5,800 families were considered by the interviewed local authorities as returnees,
both from internal (3,587 families) and external displacement (2,207 families).
Returns from internal displacement
Districts Hosting Families Returning from Internal Displacement
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
Nassiriyah
Najaf City
Qadissiya
Kufa
Dahuk
Balad
Hilla
Qaim
Khanaqin
Al-Shirqat
Al Dujayl
Ali Al-Gharbi
Ain Al-Tamur
Ninewa
Al-Muqdadiya
Falluja
Samara
Basrah
Zubair
Adhamiya
Kerbala
Amara
Al-Rusafa
Al Karkh
Abu Al-Khassib
0
Al-Mejar Al-Kabi
200
Data Source: UNHCR PACs
ƒ
21
According to the results of the survey, the Governorate of Missan accounts for the largest
number of IDP returnees, with the District of Al-Majar Al-Kabir hosting 41% and Amara
hosting 6%. 22
Reuters, Red Crescent says 46,000 refugees return Iraq end 2007, 4 January 2008, available at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL0855951
22
Data collected on the Governorate of Missan cannot be compared with other governorates, since at field level it was
not possible to differentiate between returnees during the period of the survey and families who returned before. It is
still interesting to note that such a high number returned to Missan Governorate, specifically to Al-Majar Al-Kabir
District.
8
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In the Governorate of Baghdad, Al-Karkh District hosts 25% of the surveyed IDP
returnees, while Al-Rusafa and Adhamiya on the East bank of the River Tigris host 5%.
Therefore, a total of 30% of IDP returnees have been surveyed in Baghdad Governorate. It
is to be noted that the Governorate of Baghdad is the place of origin of most IDPs. 23 Also,
it is only in Baghdad where MoDM has established a compensation mechanism for IDP
returnees.
Abu Al-Khassib District in Basrah Governorate hosts 8% of the surveyed IDP returnees.
The remaining 15% of IDP returnees were surveyed in the other districts as shown in the
graph above.
Returns from out-of-country
Districts Hosting
Governorates
HostingFamilies
FamiliesReturning
Returningfrom
fromOut-of-Country
Out-of-Country
Displacement
Displacement
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
Kerbala
Al-Na'maniya
Samara
Al Dujayl
Qaim
Al-Hai
Tikrit
Balad
Ali Al-Gharbi
Al-Muqdadiya
Kut
Khanaqin
Ramadi
Falluja
Al-Rusafa
Amara
Al-Mejar Al-Kabi
Al Karkh
0
Data Source: UNHCR PACs
ƒ
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The majority (38%) of surveyed families returning to Iraq from other countries during
November and December 2007 settled in Al-Karkh District in Baghdad, while 5% settled
in Al-Rusafa, bringing the total for Baghdad to 43%. 31% settled in the District of AlMajar Al-Kabir and 9% in the District of Amara, both located in Missan Governorate. 24
A smaller percentage of returnees from other countries settled in the Governorate of AlAnbar, including 5% in Falluja and 4% in Ramadi.
4. Governorates and Countries Families Are Returning From
ƒ
ƒ
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Through the assessments, UNHCR PACs were able to obtain a better understanding of
major IDP and refugee return movements. It allowed them to identify, the governorates
and countries from which IDPs and refugees returned.
Given that the sample is very limited, it cannot be used to draw conclusions on general,
countrywide trends. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that the Governorates of
Sulaymaniyah and Basrah reported that more than 100 IDP families left these
governorates, while the Governorates of Najaf, Kerbala and Diwaniya reported that
between 50 and 100 IDP families left.
Out of a sample of 2,212 surveyed refugee families who returned during November and
December to Iraq, 52% returned from Syria (1,157 families) and 45% returned from Iran
(1,004 families). Reported returns took place mostly to the Governorates of Baghdad,
Missan and Al-Anbar. Some returnee families were also recorded in the Governorates of
Wassit, Diyala and Salah Al-Din.
23
MoDM, Summary Results IDP Registration – February 2006 to December 2007, January 2008, p. 9. According to
this report, around 67% of Post 2006 IDPs originate from Baghdad.
24
See footnote 22.
9
5. Reasons for Returning or Not Returning
ƒ
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According to the information gathered by the PACs through local authorities, three main
reasons for returns are:
o IDPs and refugees have heard of security improvements in their place of origin;
o The economic situation of IDPs and refugees in the place of displacement was
poor;
o Unemployment and high rents in the place of displacement appear to have
encouraged IDPs and refugees to return earlier than they would have if adequate
living conditions had been available.
Reasons why the majority of families surveyed did not return to their place of origin are
general insecurity, a lack of community ties in the place of origin and sometimes
income/employment concerns. These families were found to either return into internal
displacement or to move into secondary displacement.
Some local authorities expressed the view that returnee families will probably stay in the
place of return despite serious security and protection concerns. Others expressed more
reservation, saying that they were not yet trusting that security improvements would prove
sustainable.
6. Return to Place of Origin versus Return into Displacement
Given its methodology, this assessment captures primarily those families that were able to
return to their neighbourhoods and homes.
Families who were not able to successfully return and who, consequently, either ended up in
secondary displacement or were forced to return into internal displacement, were not easily
accessible to the local authorities. Among those, there are families who faced security incidents or
whose property was occupied/destroyed.
Therefore, the high percentage of returnees able to access their homes should not be
interpreted as indicative of a general trend in the country. 25
Returns from internal displacement
ƒ
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ƒ
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68% of surveyed IDP returnees went back to their place of origin, while others might have
been displaced again to a different neighbourhood or governorate.
The Governorates of Dahuk, Kerbala, Baghdad and Basrah appear to have been
particularly affected by “returns” into displacement: All families surveyed in the
Governorates of Dahuk and Kerbala had moved into secondary displacement as they could
not return to their place of origin. The same is true for 28% of the families surveyed in the
Governorate of Basrah and 10% of the families surveyed in the Governorate of Baghdad.
In addition, some families in Missan Governorate have not returned to their place of origin
in other governorates due to ongoing insecurity and presence of armed groups. They are
living with relatives.
Some families surveyed the Governorate of Kerbala cited security concerns to return to
their places of origin in Baghdad, saying that they had heard of returnees having been
killed in their area. Most families in Kerbala said they were unable to return to their place
of origin because the groups who had previously threatened them were still in control of
their areas. In addition, they mentioned that the general security situation had not yet
25
The same finding was reported in January by MoDM/IOM; see MoDM/IOM, Returnee Monitoring and Needs
Assessments, Baghdad, January 2008.
10
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completely stabilized. Some of these families are now living with relatives in the
Governorate of Kerbala.
Of the surveyed families who had returned to Baghdad in December 2007, only 37% had
returned to their home. The main reasons for not returning were damaged houses and the
unstable security situation.
Families, who returned to their place of origin but were subsequently displaced again,
were not captured by this survey. UNHCR became aware of these cases only through
narrative accounts and therefore does not have a clear number. The fact that some
returnees were displaced again was also confirmed by other sources.
Families Returning to Their Place of Origin from
Internal Displacement
Thi Qar
Salah al
Din
Ninewa
Najaf
Missan
Kerbala
Dahuk
Diyala
Diwaniya
Basrah
Baghdad
Babyl
Anbar
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Data Source: UNHCR PACs
Return from out-of-country
ƒ
ƒ
67% of surveyed returnees from abroad seem to have returned to their place of origin.
However, many families, in particular in the Governorates of Missan and Kerbala, may not
have come back to their place of origin and may again move.
Local authorities indicated that for 67% of the surveyed returnees they assume they will
stay in their current location, while in 31% of the cases they are not able to indicate
whether they will stay in their current location or not. In 1% of the surveyed cases, they
clearly stated that the families will move again.
Families Returning to Their Place of Origin from Out
of Country Displacement
32%
YES
NO
DO NOT KNOW
1%
67%
Data Source: UNHCR PACs
7. Occupied and Destroyed Housing
ƒ
Reports and primary sources indicate that many houses were destroyed and that houses left
behind were usually occupied by IDPs of another sect.
11
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Primary sources doubt that a peaceful chain return to occupied houses would be possible:
IDPs occupying houses in safe areas will not leave these houses before return to their
houses in the place of origin becomes safe.
Leaders from all sides expressed that they are willing to let returnees access their homes
provided that the other side does the same.
Reports highlight that IDPs, whose houses are currently rented out by armed groups to
other IDPs as a source of income, will face serious difficulties to return to their homes.
Some interviews revealed that in places like Missan and Kerbala destroyed property is
among the reasons for secondary displacement.
An NGO reported that 115 IDP families, which returned to the District of Al-Muqdadiya
in Diyala Governorate, found their homes completely destroyed. 26
Reports of the destruction of a Chechen village in Diyala Governorate have also been
received. 27
Percentage of Whole Families versus Individuals Returning from Internal
Displacement
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
Thi-Qar
Salah al
Din
Ninewa
Najaf
Missan
Kerbala
Diyala
Diwaniya
Basrah
Baghdad
Babylon
Anbar
0%
Data Source: UNHCR PACs
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26
Results of the surveys suggest that “go and see visits” are happening, which is also
confirmed by anecdotal reports. The large majority of returnees to the Governorate of
Diyala, a large percentage of the returnees to the Governorate of Salah Al-Din and 20% of
the returnees to the Governorate of Baghdad, both from within and from outside Iraq,
consisted of individuals, possibly returning to assess the conditions on the ground before
bringing their families.
In some cases, returnees found the situation suitable for return, i.e. their property was
accessible, the security situation was considered sufficiently stable and the group in
control of the area accepted the returnees (either because they are of the same sect or
because there have been political agreements among combating groups).
In other cases, the family members on a “go-and-see visit” found the situation not suitable
for return, e.g. because their property was occupied or seriously damaged (even burned)
and/or because the area was not sufficiently safe. In these cases, the individuals were
forced to go back to the place of displacement or to move their families into secondary
displacement.
According to primary sources and various reports, a part of the IDPs are not able to return
because their property has been occupied by other IDPs. 28 Surveyed families reported of
Al-Muqdadiya District is predominantly Shi’ite and surrounded by Sunni districts. It was attacked by insurgents
and largely destroyed. Reports are available upon request and previous authorization of the relevant NGOs that
reserves the rights on the reports.
27
See footnote 26.
28
Houses of Sunnis forced to flee from Shi’ite-controlled areas are managed and rented to Shi’ite IDPs by the Sadrist
offices (Makatib Al-Sayyid Al-Shahid). According to other reports, IDPs are also occupying houses left behind by
Shi’ite families who fled Sunni-controlled areas. See, for example, ICG, Iraq’s Civil War, the Sadrists and the Surge,
Middle East Report N.72, 7 February 2008, p. 7, as well as reports from primary sources.
12
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having been threatened by the current occupiers when checking on their properties. Given
that their area is controlled by members of the opposite sect, they do not have the
possibility to request the authorities to help recover their homes.
There have been reports of returnees being escorted by the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).
When they found their homes occupied by a third party, the ISF allegedly threatened the
occupiers to leave. However, no further information is currently available.
8. Ethnicity and Sect of Returnees
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Most of the surveyed returnees are Arabs, reflecting the mostly Arab make-up of the postFebruary 2006 displaced population.
Some Kurds and Faili Kurds returned to the Governorates of Diyala, Ninewa, Wassit and
Diwaniya from internal as well as external displacement.
Both Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims have been found to be returning.
Sunnis are returning to predominantly Sunni areas in the Governorates of Al-Anbar, Salah
Al- Din, Ninewa and Diyala as well as to Sunni-controlled areas of Baghdad. Based on the
surveys, around 270 Sunni IDP families have returned to predominantly Shi’ite Basrah
Governorate, which used to have a significant Sunni minority population. These families
could not return to their place of origin and are currently living in secondary displacement.
Kurdish families that returned to Diwaniya Governorate are of Sunni origin.
Najaf is also hosting a small number of Sunni returnees. It is worth noting that no Sunnis
have been found returning to Diyala Governorate from external displacement.
Shi’ites are returning to predominantly Shi’ite areas of Southern Iraq (Governorates of
Babylon, Basrah, Kerbala, Missan, Najaf and Thi-Qar) and Shi’ite-controlled areas of
Central Iraq in the Governorates of Diyala, Baghdad and Salah Al-Din. Shi’ite Kurds were
also found to be returning to the Districts of Khanaqin and Muqdadiya in Diyala
Governorate.
No members of minority groups such as Christians, Sabaean-Mandaeans and Yazidis have
been reported among the returnees.
Sect of Returnees from out of
Iraq (December only)
Ethnicity of Returnees
from out of Iraq
(Decem ber only)
15%
21%
Sunni
Muslim
4%
Faili Kurd
Shia Muslim
79%
Kurd
Arab
81%
Data Source: UNHCR PACs
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Of the total sample of 313 families which returned from abroad during the month of
December, 15% (63 families) are Faili Kurds who returned to Kurdish areas of Diyala.
13
Returnes to Baghdad by District - December
Unknown
4%
Adhamiya Sunni, other
neighbourhood
26%
Al Resafa Sunni, own
house
2%
Al Resafa Shia, own
house
10%
Karkh Sunni, own
house
26%
Karkh - Shia,
other
neighbourhood
8%
Karkh Sunni, other
neighbourhood
24%
Data Source: PAC Baghdad
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The chart above only refers to a small sample of returnees to Baghdad in December
2007. 29 It will be important to further observe if such return patterns become a trend in the
coming months.
Sunni families returned into secondary displacement in Adhamiya, a predominantly Sunni
District on the East bank of the River Tigris, since they were able to return to the
Governorate of Baghdad but not to their neighbourhood of origin.
Mostly Shi’ite families seem to have returned to their houses in Al-Rusafa, the mainly
Shi’ite-controlled area of East Baghdad. Also two Sunni families were found to have
returned to their own homes.
A small percentage of Shi’ites has returned into secondary displacement in Al-Karkh
District on the West bank of River Tigris. It appears that they were not able to return to
their neighbourhood of origin in Baghdad and found refuge in Shia areas under the de
facto control of the Mahdi Army or the Iraqi Government.
The majority of returnees to Al-Karkh District are Sunni families, which either returned to
their homes or are living in secondary displacement.
Analysis of the results of the surveys seems to indicate that displaced persons could return
to homogeneous areas under control of members of their own sect. Very little evidence
suggests that displaced persons could return to their places of origin if these are under
control of members of the opposite sect. First hand reports highlight that such returns
could only happen if the family has strong connections with the groups in control of their
area, which pre-dates the sectarian violence of the last two years. Sometimes, the groups in
control of these areas use such sporadic returns of members of the opposite sect as a tool to
improve their image with the larger public and the media.
9. Needs of Returnees
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Returnees from both internal and external displacement face similar difficulties and needs
when returning to the same area.
Food, NFIs, shelter, access to legal aid and employment opportunities seem to be common
needs in many governorates, while water and access to basic services is a problem
especially in the South.
ƒ
29
The total number of families assessed as having returned to Baghdad from within Iraq during the month of
December (346 families) is equal to 100%.
14
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Many have complained about damaged housing and stolen furniture and are asking for
financial and in-kind support from the Government. The general understanding is that one
million ID is not enough to allow the returnees to meet their immediate needs (e.g., repair
or reconstruction of houses) and that in many cases the payment of the grant has been
delayed.
Respondents anecdotally indicated that families returning to Baghdad suffer from limited
access to basic services, have difficulties transferring their PDS cards and accessing lifeessential rations, and lack documentation. Shelter was overwhelmingly presented as the
priority need of families which returned to the Districts of Adhamiyah and Al-Rusafa in
Baghdad.
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Main Needs of Iraqi Returnees by Governorate
Governorate
Food
Shelter
Legal
Aid
NFIs
Employment
Water/ Basic
Services
Security
Anbar
Babylon
Baghdad
Basrah
Diwaniya
Diyala
Kerbala
Missan
Najaf
Ninewa
Salah al Din
Thi-Qar
Wassit
Data source: UNHCR PACs
10. Movement across the Iraqi Borders with Syria and Iran
ƒ
UNHCR’s partner continues to monitor entry and exit through the Shalamshah border
crossing (Iran-Iraq) as part of a programme that has independently monitored returnees in
Southern Iraq since 2004. In December 2007, 51 spontaneous returns from Iran were
recorded, with four returning to Basrah Governorate, 21 to Missan Governorate and 26 to
Thi-Qar Governorate. Border monitoring does not account for all the returnee movements
through the border crossing and hence is indicative of trends only. Still, returns to the
Southern Governorates from Iran continue, though on a lesser scale compared to
movements in 2004 and 2005.
Iraq / Syria border movements
2,500
Move to Iraq
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
-1,000
-1,500
Data Source: Iraqi Authorities, 1 August 2007 to 6 February 2008
15
06/02/2008
30/01/2008
23/01/2008
16/01/2008
09/01/2008
02/01/2008
26/12/2007
19/12/2007
12/12/2007
05/12/2007
28/11/2007
21/11/2007
14/11/2007
07/11/2007
31/10/2007
24/10/2007
17/10/2007
10/10/2007
03/10/2007
26/09/2007
19/09/2007
12/09/2007
05/09/2007
29/08/2007
22/08/2007
15/08/2007
08/08/2007
-500
01/08/2007
Move to Syria
0
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ƒ
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Iraqi border officials at Al-Waleed border crossing with Syria reported a net movement of
82,731 persons 30 coming into Iraq between 1 August 2007 and 6 February 2008. The
purpose of visit and duration of stay of these persons was not provided and this figure can
therefore not be considered indicative of the scale of returns from Syria.
In February 2008, Iraqi and Syrian authorities confirmed a decrease in daily border
crossings from Syria to Iraq as compared with previous months of 2007 through AlWaleed/ Al-Tanf border crossing.
According to both Iraqi and Syrian authorities, the number of persons crossing from Iraq
into Syria has been higher than the number of persons crossing from Syria into Iraq at AlWaleed/ Al-Tanf border crossing during the last week of January and the first week of
February 2008. According to the border crossing authorities, an excess of nearly 2,000
persons crossed from Iraq into Syria during that particular period.
11. Assistance Delivered to Families Returning From Internal and
External Displacement
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ƒ
ƒ
As part of the UN Rapid Response Plan, which provides immediate assistance to returnees,
UNHCR is engaged in delivering basic NFIs, shelter and protection monitoring services to
vulnerable returnees inside Iraq. To date, pursuant to the Rapid Response Plan, UNHCR
has distributed standard NFI kits along with hygiene kits and sanitary items for 1,899 IDP
returnees in Baghdad and 188 returnees from Syria, on two, assessment-based distributions
on 10 and 31 December 2007.
UNHCR is conducting rapid assessments to establish figures and trends in consultations
with MoDM. UNHCR will also assist MoDM in returnee registration of refugees in 2008.
An overview of the UNHCR assistance and registration support programme and its
financial requirements is provided below.
Sector/Activity
Domestic Items (NFIs)
Shelter kits
Registration support
Transport/Logistics
Ops support cost
TOTAL
Requirements
Beneficiary Families
4,317,200
3,250,000
200,000
750,000
1,000,000
9,517,200
5,000
5,000
10,000
Given the ongoing insecurity and violence in many parts of the country, the potential for a
reversal of current partial security improvements and the limited absorption capacity (lack
of basic services) in potential return areas, UNHCR is neither encouraging nor promoting
returns to or within Iraq. The agency is also not organizing any mass return movements.
30
Difference between entry into and movement out of Iraq from/to Syria.
16