Erbil Governorate Profile May-August
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Overview ERBIL GOVERNORATE PROFILE GOVERNORATE OF ORIGIN May - August 2015 15% 17% Situated in north-west Iraq with a total population Anbar of 1,542,421 (excluding Syrian refugees and IDPs), Diyala (less than 1%) Erbil is the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 19,632 IDP individuals Erbil GENDER- AGE BREAKDOWN administrated by the Kurdistan Regional Govern- 7% 29% Ninewa ment (KRG). Salah al-Din 5-0 As the economy and security of Erbil governorate 38% are generally better than many other areas of Iraq, 59,658 IDP individuals 21% 6-11 it continues to be a common destination for MOST COMMON SHELTER TYPE ll IDPs displaced populations. Since the onset of violence Darashakran f a in o ir 12-18 in December 2013, the number of IDPs in Erbil has a Basirma % q soared and the governorate currently hosts 9 per 9 Kawergosk 19-49 cent of all the people displaced in Iraq from 2014 to 2015. As the cost of living in Erbil is compara- Baharka 185,208 IDP individuals Ankawa 2 8,556 IDP individuals 50+ tively high, many families move first to Erbil and 65% Harsham 3% Rented Host Families Informal 8% then to surrounding governorates or countries in housing 73% settlements 7% 0 search of work and less expensive places to live. 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 12,210 IDP individuals Qushtapa INTENTIONS Reportedly, the increasing population has strained 4% the local services and infrastructure, hampering Debaga Notably, 61% of all IDPs assessed in Erbil were under 18. delivery of basic services and stretching the Additionally, overall there were nearly as many men as economic capacity of the KRG to its maximum. Syrian refugee camps IDP camps Erbil 97% 3% there were women among IDPs in the governorate. Security in the governorate remains generally stable; however there have been isolated incidents Total population: 12,744 IDP individuals Koisnjaq 5% 95% such as the April car bombing near the American DISPLACEMENT OVER TIME Displacement trends Makhmur 100% consulate in Ankawa, a Christian neighbourhood IDP individuals in the governorate Before May, KRI was one of the most common destinations for IDPs; in Erbil. Additionally, Turkey conducted airstrikes Given that Erbil borders Ninewa and Salah al-Din, it was exposed to Shaqlawa 99% 1% IDP individuals who left in July, targeting PKK facilities in Erbil in response however from August onwards, displaced families were more likely the continuing conflict. As a result, the presence of armed groups on 285,264 to favour central parts of the country, particularly Baghdad. The Soran 100% 272,556 to a suicide attack that killed two Turkish officers the western border displaced more IDPs within the governorate. 266,328 253,158 and wounded thirty-one at an outpost in eastern complex political and economic situation in Kurdistan reduced KRI Between May and August, an additional 6,462 individuals from Erbil Grand 247,878 97% 3% attractiveness as refuge. Nevertheless, it continued to accept new left their homes. Those originated, inter alia, from Makhmur district, Total 214,548 Turkey. As a result, some families were forced to 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 199,086 193,944 187,944 leave their houses. IDPs. which in August held over 12,200 people originating from the 195,624 156,522 170,544 For more information on the governorates please Between May and August, over 37,300 people arrived in Erbil, the governorate and who had fled areas considered to be at risk of Return to Area of Past Displacement Return to place of origin 156,084 majority from Anbar. Over 24,000 settled in Erbil district, attracted exposure to armed group attacks. Waiting on one or several factors Blank refer to our previous governorate profiles, 118,404 by a combination of its being the region’s capital and administrative - - available on IOM website As more locations are being reclaimed by ISF, many families have 98,856 (http://iomiraq.net/allreports). centre for the surrounding districts, availability of registration returned to their areas of origin; almost 9,000 of these went back to offices, camps and basic services. Salah al-Din. 43,836 42,240 42,240 41,880 41,880 39,780 38,550 19,968 19,470 30,516 TOP PRIORITY NEEDS 28,986 IDPs were also reported to have followed their relatives, naturally an Since the security situation in Erbil governorate remains reasonably 26,796 - - - - additional incentive for those who fled here; however, displacement stable, it is likely to attract more IDPs, who are liable to settle in Erbil 90 movement in Erbil was strongly affected by the declining economy, district in particular, as it holds numerous camps and registration many IDPs moving several times in search of cheap housing, offices. 44% Shaqlawa reportedly being the most common destination. Water July-14 April-14May-14June-14 April-15May -15June -15July -15 March-15 The first priority need August-14 January-15 August -15 47,544 IDPs 285,264 IDPs 61% October-14 February-15 November-14December-14 FAMILIES INDIVIDUALS OF ALL IDPS ARE September-14 UNDER 18 Information based on DTM Master List, Round XXVII, August Produced and disseminated by International Organization for Migration IOM Iraq Funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration PRM and Group Assessment, Cycle 2 Shelters Intentions Needs Shelter trends in Erbil remain relatively consistent. Unhealthy living conditions encourage the spread of various The military advances of coalition forces, overall ethno- Forty-four per cent of the respondents in Erbil considered Families are still most likely to rent a house (73%), diseases. An IDP girl on the right who suffers from TB is examined religious composition of displaced populations and conflict water to be their first priority need. In general, KRI does by IOM doctors in a TB clinic, Erbil. stay with a host family (8%) or in an informal that has not yet exceeded two years are factors that not have a plentiful water supply. In the past, UNDP settlement (7%). combine to lead 97 per cent of the respondents in Erbil to reported that Erbil was particularly at risk of water wish to return to their areas of origin. shortages, given that 46 to 56 per cent of cropland was Lack of common ethno-religious background between affected by droughts. As more dams are being built on the Between May and August there was a 3 per cent main rivers, Erbil is exposed to additional water shortages increase in IDPs renting housing. The majority of IDPs and host communities created difficulties in achiev- Currently, those past issues have been exacerbated by a IDPs who moved to Erbil when the conflict broke out ing social cohesion and re-establishing private and profes- ERBIL large population increase, causing extreme water needs. had no relatives there and were socially isolated. sional lives of the displaced. In addition, almost 40 per cent They were therefore forced to rely upon themselves of IDPs in Erbil originate from Anbar, which enjoys strong The first priority need of 15 per cent of respondents was and over 70 per cent had to rent a house. Only 8 per tribal bonds that only strengthen the desire to return. work; the first priority need of 11 per cent was shelter; and food was considered first priority need by 10 per cent of cent of the total IDP population in the governorate As ISF has already reclaimed many areas across Iraq, the those assessed. These needs are strongly interrelated and live with host family. The Arabic profile of displaced return movement is reportedly growing. Makhmur, originate from economic depletion, as well as destitution populations played an essential role in shaping these hosting only IDPs originating from within the governorate, commonly faced by IDPs. Those renting houses needed trends. reported a significant change in IDP intentions: before GOVERNORATE money to secure their current situation, while for families May, nearly half of the respondents were awaiting develop- occupying critical shelters or living with host families ments before deciding their intentions, while by August PROFILE Despite the popularity of rented housing, many such finding employment would improve their living conditions. 100 per cent intended to return. Presumably, success of shelter types are in poor repair and do not provide The influx of IDPs increased the labour force and caused the liberation campaign, together with a common belief IDPs with adequate living conditions. In addition, daily wages to fall. that Peshmerga will hold their positions, persuaded many IDPs suffer from overcrowding, as many families Need for shelter was connected to both to lack of money MAY-AUGUST 2015 of those assessed to return or at least to intend to do so. share houses with their numerous relatives. Moreo- for rent, as well as poor infrastructure of rented buildings. Similarly, in Koysinjaq, the proportion of those desiring to ver, increasing demand led to soaring rents, Food needs again originate from economic difficulties and return increased from 57 per cent in May to 95 per cent in consequently families were likely to move between increased demand, causing soaring prices. shelters or to districts around Erbil, such as August, presumably also related to the liberation Continuing conflict and further population increases will Shaqlawa or Koysinjaq, seeking cheaper housing. campaign. The return movement itself is important, proving to IDPs that it is feasible, which is particularly only strengthen needs for water, shelter, work and food. striking, given that this district reported return Makhmur district contrasts with other areas in the movements of many families originating in Salah al-Din.