Community Dialogues for Social Cohesion

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Community Dialogues for Social Cohesion The Peace Research and Education Program at the Center for Global Affairs Community Dialogues for Social Cohesion: Reflective Analysis of Lessons Learned from IDPs and Host Communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq PREP Occasional Paper Series No. 1 PREP Occasional Paper Zeravan Sulaiman Sadeeq & Audrey Watne February 2019 Zeravan Sulaiman Sadeeq is a Researcher and Trainer at the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies at University of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. [email protected] Audrey Watne is a researcher for the Peace Research and Education Program at the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs. [email protected] Peace Research and Education Program Occasional Paper Series ISSN 2643-0320 (print) ISSN 2643-0347 (online) Published 4-6 times annually By the Peace Research and Education Program Center for Global Affairs, School of Professional Studies New York University 15 Barclay Street, NY, NY 10007 [email protected] Editor: Christopher Ankersen Available online at https://www.nyupeace.education/publications This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License Letter from PREP’s Director I am extremely pleased to share with you the first installment of PREP’s Occasional Paper Series, Community Dialogues for Social Cohesion: Reflective Analysis of Lessons Learned from IDPs and Host Communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. PREP -- the Peace Research and Education Program -- aims to enhance the peacebuilding role that universities play worldwide. One way I believe we can accomplish this goal is by widely sharing the experiences and learning of our team members as they work closely with university partners in areas that have been significantly affected by violence. The authors of this paper -- Audrey Watne, of PREP, and Zeravan Sulaiman Sadeeq, of the University of Duhok’s Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies -- have illustrated how it is possible for a university to use its convening power to bring together stakeholders to discuss and address some of the most vexing issues facing communities affected by violence and mass displacement. Furthermore, they show how a university can help to move stakeholders’ away from an overemphasis on problem-based thinking toward a renewed focus on assets and successes through the use of Appreciative Inquiry methods. My hope is that this series will become a space for consideration of many other ways in which higher education institutions can help to enhance peacefulness in the communities and regions that they serve. We will do our best to ensure the research we present is accessible, timely and reflective of the equitable partnerships that PREP strives to build with our affiliated institutions. Of course, I realize that we may not always reach our objectives. As this paper is just the first of what we at PREP hope will be many, please feel free to share with us your (hopefully, constructive) criticism and feedback so that we can consider it in our own learning process as we move forward. Sincerely, Director Peace Research and Education Program TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 2 1. Introduction 3 2. Background on locations 6 3. Methodology and Scope 8 4. Implementation and Challenges 9 5. Findings 10 6. Recommendations from Participants 11 7. Reflections and Conclusion 12 Appendix I: Implementation Data 14 References 18 Abstract Iraq’s Duhok governorate assumed perhaps the heaviest burden as a consequence of the internal displacement crisis that began following the rise of Da’esh across a broad swath of northern Iraq in 2014. The mass influx of people to Duhok -- mainly from Ninewa province, directly to the south -- caused significant tensions between the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their hosts. In 2016-2017, the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies (CPCRS) at the University of Duhok coordinated four roundtable dialogue meetings with local authorities, clergy, civil communities leaders, local stakeholders, and representatives of IDPs and Host communities1. These meetings aimed to deepen positive collaboration between key actors, using the tools and techniques of appreciative inquiry, and to assess the levels of social cohesion between host and displaced communities. Surveys and focus groups aimed at understanding perceptions of tensions and challenges among the host community, IDPs, and mixed groups preceded these meetings. In general, roundtable participants acknowledged that host communities welcomed displaced populations, but that over time, tensions emerged in all locations. Rather than focusing solely on those tensions, roundtable participants offered constructive suggestions for addressing and mitigating tensions, generating a list of recommended actions ranging from the construction of additional schools and health centers to the establishment of committees that could monitor host and displaced populations for signs of growing tensions to educational and media programming that would encourage social cohesion. This paper explores both the outcomes of the roundtable process and the methodology for such community engagement offering a reflection on lessons learned and recommendations for future participatory social cohesion research programs. Key Words: IDPs, displacement, host community, social cohesion, peacebuilding, community engagement, appreciative inquiry 1This research was conducted with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as part of the project “Improving Local Capacity to Build Peace and Improve Social Cohesion among Host and Displaced Communities in Duhok and Ninevah Governorates.” All research findings are the work of the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies at the University of Duhok and the Peace Research and Education Program, located within the Center for Global Affairs at New York University’s School of Professional Studies. None of the findings contained in this report necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNDP. 1. Introduction Since 2014, when Da’esh seized the city of Mosul2 and committed genocide against Yezidi communities,3 until 2017, when Iraqi government forces regained control of Mosul and surrounding areas, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) hosted more than 350,000 IDPs, mostly from Ninewa Province.4 These IDPs moved to camps and urban areas and lived beside and among host communities. Initially, the host community welcomed IDPs and provided immediate assistance; however, over time tensions developed between the newly arrived IDPs and the host community, particularly as humanitarian aid arrived in order to support IDPs, while the host community also faced an economic crisis, but without humanitarian support. In October 2017, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that no conflict assessments had been conducted in the KRI, indicating an information gap regarding to what degrees the host community and IDPs were in conflict or were cooperating.5 In response to these observed tensions, the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution (CPCRS) at the University of Duhok (UoD) began to conduct community-based research to better understand the observed challenges to social cohesion between IDP and host communities in and around Duhok. This research used appreciative inquiry techniques to investigate the approaches to these tensions that were being used by community members. CPCRS brought its findings to local stakeholders and leaders in roundtable meetings to discuss the tensions, generate community dialogue, and collect recommendations to share with local decision- and policy-makers. This process aimed to assess the levels of social cohesion and between the displaced and host communities, to deepen the positive collaboration between key actors, and to generate concrete information and recommendations that community leaders and representatives of international organizations could use when developing policies or activities related to displacement in the communities studied. CPCRS was well equipped to carry out this research because of its position as a unit of a well-known regional institution of higher education and because of relationships developed through a large-scale peace education project for youth in the Duhok and Ninewa governorates from 2014 until 2017. CPCRS conducted 201 workshops for 4068 participants in schools, community centers, and IDP and refugee camps6. As a result of that project, the Center developed a higher public profile. Also, the cross- cultural and training experience of the cohort of trainers grew as they visited schools, community centers, IDP and refugee camps to conduct the training. Additionally, CPCRS 2BBC. “Militants seize Iraq’s second city of Mosul.” 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27778112 3 Human Rights Council. “‘They came to destroy:’ ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis.’ A/HRC/32/CRP.2. 2016. http:// www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoISyria/A_HRC_32_CRP.2_en.pdf 4 IOM Iraq Displacement Tracking Matrix, 2018. http://iraqdtm.iom.int/. 5IOM Iraq. Integrated Location Assessment II: Part II Governorate Profiles. DTM-Iraq Mission, 2017. p. 39 6 New York University, “NEA/I Final Report: Supporting the University of Duhok in Becoming the Center of Excellence for Peacebuilding in Iraq.” Internal Report. 2017. conducted an international conference on peacebuilding and education in May 2014 which raised its profile locally and internationally as a respected academic center.7 This paper aims to describe the process of community-based
Recommended publications
  • Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Assessment Report Idps RESPONSE in IRAQ
    MIRA Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Assessment Report IDPs RESPONSE IN IRAQ PROVINCE OF NINEWAH AND ERBIL Conducted by PAO On behalf of June 17-23rd Contents 1. Background page 4 2. Objectives page 5 3. Methodology page 6 4. Key Findings by sector page 8 CP page 8 Shelter /NFI page 11 WASH page 12 Food Security & Livelihood page 13 Health Page 15 MIRA Assessment Page 3 1. Background THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS Save the Children (SC) has been working on the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of Syrian refugees in Iraq since the start of Syrian crisis. The organization has responded to the crisis via support to refugees in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. With the new crisis caused by ISIS in Mosul and Ambar provinces in Iraq, SC has a humanitarian imperative to intensify its response within the country, requiring assistance to internally displaced people (IDP). SC has also partnered with national based organizations to reach off limit places due to security challenges. People Aid Organization (PAO) has conducted the assessment on behalf of Save the Children from June 17th to June 23rd 2014. PAO organization has been working on responding to the crisis in Syria since September 2013 through “protection and humanitarian aid program”, in which PAO in partnership with international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies which have worked on child protection and humanitarian assistants in both Iraq and Syria. SCI and PAO have worked jointly during Syria crisis to response to the needs of children in the north of Iraq and north east Syria. Additionally, with the start of recent crisis in Nenawa and other provinces in Iraq, both SCI and PAO have worked closely to identify and respond to the needs of children.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Protection of Civilians in the Armed Conflict in Iraq
    HUMAN RIGHTS UNAMI Office of the United Nations United Nations Assistance Mission High Commissioner for for Iraq – Human Rights Office Human Rights Report on the Protection of Civilians in the Armed Conflict in Iraq: 11 December 2014 – 30 April 2015 “The United Nations has serious concerns about the thousands of civilians, including women and children, who remain captive by ISIL or remain in areas under the control of ISIL or where armed conflict is taking place. I am particularly concerned about the toll that acts of terrorism continue to take on ordinary Iraqi people. Iraq, and the international community must do more to ensure that the victims of these violations are given appropriate care and protection - and that any individual who has perpetrated crimes or violations is held accountable according to law.” − Mr. Ján Kubiš Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq, 12 June 2015, Baghdad “Civilians continue to be the primary victims of the ongoing armed conflict in Iraq - and are being subjected to human rights violations and abuses on a daily basis, particularly at the hands of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Ensuring accountability for these crimes and violations will be paramount if the Government is to ensure justice for the victims and is to restore trust between communities. It is also important to send a clear message that crimes such as these will not go unpunished’’ - Mr. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 12 June 2015, Geneva Contents Summary ...................................................................................................................................... i Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Methodology ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of Security in Ninewa: Preventing an ISIS Resurgence in Northern Iraq
    The Politics of Security in Ninewa: Preventing an ISIS Resurgence in Northern Iraq Julie Ahn—Maeve Campbell—Pete Knoetgen Client: Office of Iraq Affairs, U.S. Department of State Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Advisor: Meghan O’Sullivan Policy Analysis Exercise Seminar Leader: Matthew Bunn May 7, 2018 This Policy Analysis Exercise reflects the views of the authors and should not be viewed as representing the views of the US Government, nor those of Harvard University or any of its faculty. Acknowledgements We would like to express our gratitude to the many people who helped us throughout the development, research, and drafting of this report. Our field work in Iraq would not have been possible without the help of Sherzad Khidhir. His willingness to connect us with in-country stakeholders significantly contributed to the breadth of our interviews. Those interviews were made possible by our fantastic translators, Lezan, Ehsan, and Younis, who ensured that we could capture critical information and the nuance of discussions. We also greatly appreciated the willingness of U.S. State Department officials, the soldiers of Operation Inherent Resolve, and our many other interview participants to provide us with their time and insights. Thanks to their assistance, we were able to gain a better grasp of this immensely complex topic. Throughout our research, we benefitted from consultations with numerous Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) faculty, as well as with individuals from the larger Harvard community. We would especially like to thank Harvard Business School Professor Kristin Fabbe and Razzaq al-Saiedi from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative who both provided critical support to our project.
    [Show full text]
  • Wash Needs in Schools Iraq
    COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW WASH NEEDS IN SCHOOLS OF KEY INDICATORS Note: Findings derived from WFP data are December 2019 IRAQ presented in turquoise boxes. Methodology Water Hygiene Sanitation 1 3 2 REACH Number of HH surveys conducted by Number of schools assessed by WFP Drinking water from a water source is available Drinking water from a water source is available Drinking water comes from an improved water source The water quality is perceived to be acceptable The main water source is at the school's premises Has access to handwashing facilities Has access to handwashing facilities of which is having water and soap available of which is functional of which is having soap Has access to improved sanitation facilities number of Average functional student toilets per school building number of toilets Average for students number of Average students per toilet Has access to student toilets separated by gender Has access to student toilets separated by gender Has unusable toilets Is having a good structural condition of student toilets Is having a good hygienic condition of student toilets Al-Falluja 115 88% 100% 78% 93% 100% 97% 100% 9,1 82% 0% Al-Ramadi 80 83% 98% 81% 98% 100% 100% 100% 8,6 93% 0% Al-Anbar Ana 74 31 44% 65% 87% 49% 72% 94% 94% 64% 66% 62% 94% 5,8 5,4 36 90% 90% 23% 100% 71% Heet 87 72% 100% 60% 100% 93% 97% 100% 9,0 88% 0% Shat Al-Arab 98 12% 92% 83% 11% 7,2 91 77% 56% 46% Al-Basrah Al-Khidhir 70 50% 66% 76% 11% 5,8 69 79% 74% 32% Al-Muthanna Al-Kufa 120 21% 46% 71% 99% 100% 23% 99% 6.5 71% 27% Al-Najaf Al-Najaf 94 2% 95% 98%
    [Show full text]
  • The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict
    The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict Dave van Zoonen Khogir Wirya About MERI The Middle East Research Institute engages in policy issues contributing to the process of state building and democratisation in the Middle East. Through independent analysis and policy debates, our research aims to promote and develop good governance, human rights, rule of law and social and economic prosperity in the region. It was established in 2014 as an independent, not-for-profit organisation based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Middle East Research Institute 1186 Dream City Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq T: +964 (0)662649690 E: [email protected] www.meri-k.org NGO registration number. K843 © Middle East Research Institute, 2017 The opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of MERI, the copyright holder. Please direct all enquiries to the publisher. The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict MERI Policy Paper Dave van Zoonen Khogir Wirya October 2017 1 Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................4 2. “Reconciliation” after genocide .........................................................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • Kurds Kidnapped the Day While Maintaining the Ban on Its Civil Servants
    INSTITUT KURDDE PARIS E Information and liaison bulletin N°425 AUGUST 2020 The publication of this Bulletin enjoys a subsidy from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture & City of Paris ______________ This bulletin is issued in French and English Price per issue : France: 6 € — Abroad : 7,5 € Annual subscribtion (12 issues) France : 60 € — Elsewhere : 75 € Monthly review Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN ISBN 0761 1285 INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tel. : 01-48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01-48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] Information and liaison bulletin Kurdish Institute of Paris Bulletin N° 425 August 2020 • IRAQ: TWO OFFICERS OF THE IRAQI BORDER GUARDS KILLED BY A TURKISH DRONE • ROJAVA: KIDNAPPING, TORTURE, RAPE, MURDER... EVIDENCE OF THE CRIMES OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION FORCES IS ACCUMULATING • TURKEY: EXACTIONS AGAINST WOMEN ARE MULTIPLE • IRAN: MASS TWITTER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ASSASSINATION OF KOLBARS, CALL FOR THE ACQUITTAL OF A KURDISH TEACHER • KURDISH LANGUAGE, PUBLICATIONS IRAQ: TWO OFFICERS OF THE IRAQI BORDER GUARDS KILLED BY A TURKISH DRONE ince the reopening of the to the Region from several Health called on cured patients to borders with Iran last countries, while conversely, donate their plasma for patients May, both Iraq and Turkey stopped flights to the developing severe forms of the Kurdistan are Region. Passengers leaving the infection. After more than twenty experiencing a dramatic Region must show a negative cases appeared, two villages in S increase in the figures of COVID test of less than 48 hours Akre district (Dohuk) were placed the pandemic..
    [Show full text]
  • An In-Depth Analysis of the Main Districts of Displacement
    PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT STUDY: AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN DISTRICTS OF DISPLACEMENT IOM IRAQ PROTRACTED DISPLACEMENT STUDY: AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN DISTRICTS OF DISPLACEMENT KEY FINDINGS • DistrictsThe opinions with higher expressed concentration in the report of IDPs: are The those two of districts the authors and• Movement do not necessarily and intentions: refl ect theIn general, views of IDPsthe in the main 32 of MosulInternational and Erbil Organization are the “main” for recipientsMigration (IOM).of current The IDPs:designations employeddistricts areand not the (orpresentation only very slowly)of material moving out of their togetherthroughout they thehost report around do notone imply third the of theexpression total caseload of any opinion whatsoeverlocation ofon displacement the part of IOM (15%concerning have theleft their district of 3 of legalout-of-camp status of IDPs.any country, Another territory, third of city out-of-camp or area, or of IDPs its authorities, displacement or concerning sinceits frontiers May 2018). or boundaries. This fi gure aligns with are settled in the fi ve districts of Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, the assessed intentions to return in the short-medium Sumel,IOM isTikrit committed and Zakho to the (denoted principle as that“medium” humane recipients, and orderly migrationterm benefi(the national ts migrants fi gure and is society. 13%). ItAs shows an how, despite eachintergovernmental hosting a share organization,between 3% IOMand acts7%). with The itsremaining partners in the internationalthe strong community will to return to: assistin the in long meeting term (74%),4 staying thirdthe is operational hosted in 25 challenges districts – of denoted migration; as “low” advance recipients, understanding ofappears migration to be issues; the most encourage realistic social solution and for nearly 90% eacheconomic hosting development below 3% of through the total migration; IDPs.
    [Show full text]
  • Dissertation.Pdf
    PROMOTING INTEGRATED HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN IRAQI KURDISTAN REGION APPLICABILITY OF VALUES-BASED APPROACH; THE CASE STUDY OF AKRE AND AMEDY CITY IN DUHOK PROVINCE Dissertation submitted By: Shireen Y. Ismael To the Faculty of Spatial Planning of Technical University of Dortmund (TU Dortmund) in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Engineering (Dr.-Ing.) January, 2015 I PROMOTING INTEGRATED HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN IRAQI KURDISTAN REGION APPLICABILITY OF VALUES-BASED APPROACH; THE CASE STUDY OF AKRE AND AMEDY CITY IN DUHOK PROVINCE Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree “Doctor of Engineering (Dr.-Ing.)” of the Faculty of Spatial Planning at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany By Shireen Y. Ismael Doctoral Committee Head of Committee and Principle Supervisor: Prof. in Dipl.-Ing. Christa Reicher, TU Dortmund Principle Supervisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dietwald Gruehn, TU Dortmund External Examiner: Dr.-Ing. Asmat Khalid, University of Duhok Date of Disputation: December 19, 2014 I Declaration I, hereby declare that all information in this document has been obtained and presented in accordance with academic rules and ethical conduct. I also declare that, as required by these rules and conduct, I have fully cited and referenced all materials and results that are original to this work. Dortmund, Germany September, 2014 Shireen Y. Ismael II Dedication ........... To My Lovely Family III Acknowledgements I am grateful to my supervisors: Prof. Christa Reicher and Prof. Dietwald Gruehn. Also, I am indebted to Dr. Asmat Khalid, my external examiner from Kurdistan Region. This work would never have been accomplished without their help and supervision.
    [Show full text]
  • Risk Factors Associated with Brucella Seropositivity in Sheep and Goats in Duhok Province, Iraq
    veterinary sciences Article Risk Factors Associated with Brucella Seropositivity in Sheep and Goats in Duhok Province, Iraq Ali. G. Alhamada 1,2,† ID , Ihab Habib 1,3,*,† ID , Anne Barnes 1 and Ian Robertson 1,4 1 College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia; [email protected] (A.G.A); [email protected] (A.B); [email protected] (I.R) 2 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq 3 High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21516, Egypt 4 China-Australia Joint Research and Training Center for Veterinary Epidemiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430072, China * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-8-9360-2434 † These authors contributed equally to this work. Academic Editors: Chrissanthy Papadopoulou, Vangelis Economou and Hercules Sakkas Received: 23 October 2017; Accepted: 5 December 2017; Published: 7 December 2017 Abstract: Sera from 432 small ruminants (335 sheep and 97 goats) from 72 farms in Duhok Province, northern Iraq, were collected to investigate risk factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity. Serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Using parallel interpretation, RBT and iELISA results showed that 31.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.1, 36.3) of sheep and 34.0% (95% CI: 24.7, 44.3) of goats had antibodies against Brucella in the study area. A random-effects multivariable logistic regression model indicated that a higher chance of being seropositive (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% 1.4; 2.2) was associated with an increase in the age of animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq CRISIS Situation Report No. 49 (17 June – 23 June 2015)
    Iraq CRISIS Situation Report No. 49 (17 June – 23 June 2015) This report is produced by OCHA Iraq in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 17 – 23 June. Due to the rapidly changing situation it is possible that the numbers and locations listed in this report may no longer be accurate. The next report will be issued on or around 3 July. Highlights More than 1,500 families return to Tikrit. Returnees need humanitarian assistance Close to 300,000 individuals displaced from Ramadi since 8 April NGOs respond to Sulaymaniyah checkpoint closures Concern over humanitarian conditions in Ameriyat al-Fallujah and Habbaniya Insufficient funding continues to limit humanitarian response capacity The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Map created 25 June 2015. Situation Overview More than 1,500 families (approximately 9,000 individuals) returned to Tikrit City and surrounding areas between 14 and 23 June, after the area was retaken by Iraqi Security Forces in April, according to the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Most of those who returned were Government civil servants who were requested to return. Approximately 80 per cent of Government employees have gone back to the area, local authorities report. Returnees reportedly were required to submit to ID checks, body and vehicle searches before being allowed through manned checkpoints. Authorities have reportedly dismantled 1,700 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and cleared more than 200 booby-trapped houses. The recent returns brings the estimated total number of returnees in Tikrit District to 16,384 families (over 98,000 individuals), according to a partner NGO.
    [Show full text]
  • Labour Market Assessment in Sinjar, Mosul and Tel Kaif Districts, Ninewa Governorate,Iraq
    LABOUR MARKET ASSESSMENT IN SINJAR, MOSUL AND TEL KAIF DISTRICTS, NINEWA GOVERNORATE, IRAQ Labour Market Assessment in Sinjar, Mosul and Tel Kaif Districts, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq Frontpage photo: Market stall in Sinjar. Photo Credit: Optimum Analysis OPTIMUM ANALYSIS Established in 2019, Optimum Analysis is a locally registered research company that operates throughout Iraq. Its mission is to make a contribution to improving humanitarian and development programming, positively impact economic development, and build the capacity of national researchers in Iraq. By combining the technical skills of international staff with the contextual knowledge of national researchers, and adhering to international standards for social science, Optimum Analysis is able to ensure that the highest quality data and analysis is being delivered. Core services include research design, data collection, and analysis and report writing. MERCY CORPS Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian aid and development organisation with a mission to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. With a team of over 5500 members, Mercy Corps works in over 40 countries to transform the lives of the local population. In Iraq, Mercy Corps has been working to build resilience within communities since 2003. Its services focus on the delivery of emergency, life-saving assistance to conflict-affected populations while also addressing longer-term needs and underlying causes. This publication is produced with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) The content and opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect the views of the SIDA or the Swedish Government. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.
    [Show full text]
  • Iom Emergency Needs Assessments Post February 2006 Displacement in Iraq 15 May 2008 Bi-Weekly Report
    IOM EMERGENCY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS POST FEBRUARY 2006 DISPLACEMENT IN IRAQ 15 MAY 2008 BI-WEEKLY REPORT Following the February 2006 bombing of the Samarra Al-Askari Mosque, escalating sectarian violence in Iraq caused massive displacement, both internal and to locations abroad. In coordination with the Iraqi government’s Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), IOM continues to assess Iraqi displacement through a network of partners on the ground. Most displacement over the past five years (since 2003) occurred in 2006 and has since slowed. However, displacement continues to occur in some locations and the humanitarian situation of those already displaced is worsening. Some Iraqis are returning, but their conditions in places of return are extremely difficult. The estimated number of displaced since February 2006 is almost 1,504,000 individuals 1. This figure, combined with the estimated 1,200,000 individuals 2 who were internally displaced before February 2006, results in a total of more than 2.7 million individuals displaced within Iraq to date. SUMMARY OF CURRENT IRAQI DISPLACEMENT AND RETURN: Displacements The security situation has improved somewhat in Sadr City, due a truce between Shia militiamen loyal to radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr and government forces on 11 May. Most displacement from Sadr City occurred at the beginning of the military campaign (primarily from Sectors 1-9), with some new displacement occurring in Sectors 11 and 12. Only a few families are reported as returning. Local authorities in Muthanna issued a new order to remove all illegal collective settlements within two weeks, regardless of whether the squatting families are IDPs or host community.
    [Show full text]