Iraqi Red Crescent Organization The Internally Displaced People in Iraq Update 30 27 January 2008 For additional information, please contact: In Iraq: 1. Iraqi Red Crescent Organization, President- Dr. Said Hakki, email: [email protected] 2. Iraqi Red Crescent Organization, Vice President- Dr. Jamal Karboli, email: [email protected] 3. International Relation Department manager [email protected]; Mobile phone: +964 7901669159; Telephone: +964 1 5372925/24/23 4. Disaster Management Department manager [email protected]; Mobile phone: +964 7703045043; Telephone: +964 1 5372925/24/23 In Jordan: Amman Coordination Office: [email protected]; Mobile phone (manager):+962 796484058; Mobile phone (deputy manager): +962 797180940 Also, visit the Iraqi Red Crescent Organization web site: iraqiredcrescent.org The Internally Displaced People in Iraq; update 30; 27 January 2008 Table of contents BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................................... 2 REFUGEES IN IRAQ................................................................................................................................ 2 RETURNEES FROM SYRIA ...................................................................................................................... 3 THE TURKISH BOMBARDMENT IN THE NORTH OF IRAQ .......................................................................... 3 THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE (IDP)......................................................................................... 3 THE PROBLEMS FACING THE IDP........................................................................................................... 4 ROLE OF THE IRAQI RED CRESCENT ORGANIZATION............................................................ 5 CONSTRAINTS FACING THE HUMANITARIAN OPERATION OF THE IRAQI RED CRESCENT.......................... 6 NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN IRAQ FOR 2006-2007 ............................. 7 NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN 2007.......................................................................... 7 NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN 2006.......................................................................... 7 DISTRIBUTION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN THE IRAQI GOVERNORATES. 8 HUMANITARIAN AID DISTRIBUTION IN THE GOVERNORATES............................................. 9 THE NEEDS OF THE IRAQI RED CRESCENT TO ASSIST THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE.................................................................................................................................................10 IRAQI RC BRANCH REPORTS ON THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE ........................13 1. BAGHDAD ........................................................................................................................................13 2. BASRAH ...........................................................................................................................................16 3. NINAWA...........................................................................................................................................17 4. NAJAF..............................................................................................................................................18 5. KIRKUK ...........................................................................................................................................19 6. KERBALA.........................................................................................................................................20 7. SALADIN ..........................................................................................................................................21 8. DOHUK ............................................................................................................................................22 9. DIWANIYAH .....................................................................................................................................23 10. SULEIMANIAH ................................................................................................................................24 11. ANBAR...........................................................................................................................................25 12. MISSAN..........................................................................................................................................26 13. ERBIL.............................................................................................................................................27 14. BABIL ............................................................................................................................................28 15. THI QAR.........................................................................................................................................29 16. WASSIT..........................................................................................................................................30 17. MUTHANNA ...................................................................................................................................31 18. DIYALA..........................................................................................................................................32 Iraqi Red Crescent Organization; Disaster Management Department 1 The Internally Displaced People in Iraq; update 30; 27 January 2008 Background Almost two years have passed since the bombing of the Holy Shrines in Samara' (February 2006). This incident ignited sectarian and ethnic armed conflict throughout Iraq on a scale never seen before. Thousands of families fled from their areas seeking refuge in more secure areas. These events, in addition to decades of severe oppression and sanctions fractured the integrity of civil order and society in Iraq. Over two million people became internally displaced, in addition to over two million who became externally displaced in neighboring countries. The number of internally displaced people in Iraq started to decline slightly as of October 2007. Some displaced families started to integrate in their host communities as they felt safety and security. At the same time, the return of some externally displaced families from Syria was observed. The slight decline in the number of displaced people and the returnees from Syria does not mean the disappearance of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq that affects all aspects of life. This crisis is not merely caused by displacement, but it is the result of multiple wars and oppression for over three decades, which deprived the Iraqi citizens from their human rights. Recently in Kurdistan, the safe haven for many Iraqis became involved in armed conflict too. Both the Iranian and Turkish military were bombarding the border villages with artillery shells for days and weeks. Thousands of villagers left their homes and migrated inland for fear of their lives thus compounding the refugee problems in Kurdistan. The Oxfam Organization reported that there are eight million Iraqis in need of urgent help. This number constitutes one third of the population in Iraq. At the same time, the work of humanitarian agencies in Iraq continues to be hindered by insecurity and violence acts. Refugees in Iraq Iraq embraced many families from other Arab countries, which underwent difficult situations. These families could not endure the violent situation in Iraq during the past few years. They could not leave Iraq because no other country accepted to receive them and they continue to live in refugee camps at the Iraqi borders with the neighboring countries. They are enduring very difficult living condition in the desert areas- very hot climate in the summer and too cold in winter, hoping that a humanitarian organization will adopt their case and provide them with their simplest rights- human dignity. The Iraqi Red Crescent continues to provide these refugee families with humanitarian assistance. The following is a summary of the Refugees in Iraq problem: . Sudanese camp: The camp is located 370km from the center of Anbar governorate in an area called 70 Kilos (as it lies 70 km from Al-Ratba city). Forty Sudanese families resided in the camp since three years. The Iraqi RC assessed the needs of the camp and delivered food and relief aid to those families. Ahwasian camp: This camp is located at the borders with Jordan (Traibeel area). The camp sheltered 300 Iranian families from the Ahwaz area at the Iraqi-Iranian border. Some of those families moved to the north of Iraq and others moved to Tash area since 1980 hoping that they will migrate to European countries. The majority of the families already migrated leaving behind 40 families. The Iraqi RC assists those families through distributing food and relief aid. Al-Waleed Palestinian camp: A total of 292 families reside in this camp and the number is increasing. The camp is located in Tanaf area 450 km from the center of Anbar governorate at the Iraqi-Syrian borders. The Iraqi RC assessed regularly the needs of the camp and delivered food and relief aid and health care. Iraqi Red Crescent Organization; Disaster Management Department 2 The Internally Displaced People in Iraq; update 30; 27 January 2008 Returnees from Syria In September 2007, the Syrian authorities started to request all Iraqis to obtain a visa to Syria. All Iraqis have to