Iraq - IOM’s latest Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in Iraq indicates ongoing displacement in several governorates and a continued gradual increase in displacement figures. There are 1,753,302 internally displaced people (292,217 families) in Iraq who have been displaced by the current crisis; this represents an increase of 27,870 people (4,645 families) since mid-September.

The increase in the IDP population over the last two weeks results from an influx of displaced persons from and within central and southern Iraq fleeing armed conflict.

The majority of the displaced (65 per cent) have fled outside of their districts of origin. Most displaced people have originated from districts heavily impacted by conflict: Ninewa: 50 per cent (145,671 families); Anbar: 28 per cent (83,154 families); Salah al-Din: 13 per cent (37,935); and Diyala: 5 per cent (14,981).

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Dahuk, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah governorates) hosts 49 per cent of all IDPs (141,795 families); the majority originated from Ninewa Governorate. The central Iraqi governorate of Anbar hosts 20 per cent of the total IDP population, (57,226 families), most of whom are displaced from within Anbar (66 per cent).

IOM coordinates closely with regional and local authorities to maintain a shared and accurate understanding of displacement figures across Iraq.

On October 2, at the request of governorate authorities, IOM distributed 250 family Non-Food Item (NFI) kits in Kirkuk within 48 hours of the recent displacements due to conflict in Daquq. Local authorities opened checkpoints and security forces accompanied delivery trucks to locations where displaced persons are residing. Several displaced persons recounted stories of family members recently killed in armed conflict.

IOM’s Rapid Assessment and Response Teams are present in all of Iraq’s 18 governorates to assess humanitarian needs and respond to the crisis. In the month of September, IOM distributed a total of 11,388 family relief kits in 15 of Iraq’s 18 governorates. From the beginning of this year IOM has distributed 36,990 family NFI kits.

IOM Iraq Emergency Coordinator Fabien Sambussy said, “Following the declaration of the Level 3 Emergency, IOM has expanded its operations and enhanced its strong presence in all governorates to provide displacement information to the Iraqi Government, UN agencies and humanitarian partners, and to directly respond where security allows.”

The DTM can be accessed at: http://iomiraq.net/dtm-page.

For more information please contact

Sandra Black
IOM Iraq
Tel: + 964 751 234 2550
Email: sblack@iom.int