Iraq News Now

2 September 2019 (Baghdad) - Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations

in Iraq Marta Ruedas expressed her concerns regarding the means and methods of

transfers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps in Ninewa

Governorate over the past ten days. Since 23 August, Ninewa governorate

authorities have begun repatriating IDPs who are not from Ninewa to their

governorates of origin, often with little notice or apparent planning. The situation

on the ground is fluid, and reported numbers fluctuate, but thus far, approximately

300 families (an estimated 1600 people) have been returned from Hamam Al Alil,

As Salamiyah and Nimrud camps in Ninewa to locations in Al-Anbar, Kirkuk and

Salah Al-Din governorates.

“I am concerned about the lack of organization and advanced communication with

affected communities and humanitarian partners,” said Ms. Ruedas. “While

acknowledging the Government of Iraq’s expressed desire for IDPs to return home

at the earliest opportunity, all such returns should take place within agreed-upon

frameworks and with due consideration for humanitarian principles.”

The first round of returns took place on 23 August from Hammam Al-Alil 1 and 2

camps to Al-Anbar governorate, and was characterized by lack of information sharing and coordination between authorities in Ninewa and Anbar. Protection

partners advocated on behalf of those IDP families who expressed fears regarding

their personal safety if compelled to return to areas of origin, but such

apprehensions were reportedly disregarded by Ninewa authorities. Some families

were subsequently denied security clearances by Anbar authorities to enter camps

in the province, and have since been secondarily displaced.

On 25-26 August, Ninewa authorities began the process of returning families from

the Hamam Al-Alil camps back to Kirkuk governorate. Numerous IDP families,

especially those from Hawiga, again expressed fears that they would be threatened

upon their return, and had reportedly received threatening phone calls from

community members in their areas of origin warning against return. Despite such

concerns, security actors confiscated the IDP’s civil identification, informing the

families that their documents would only be returned once they boarded the

convoy. On 28 August, 116 families (651 people) were returned from Ninewa

camps to Laylan 1 camp in Kirkuk governorate.

On 31-August, 135 families from the Hamam Al Alil camp and 15 families from

As Salamiyah camp were transported from Ninewa to Basateen Al Sheuokh camp

in Salah Al-Din governorate. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society confirmed that it was

ready to support the new arrivals. In the early hours of 1-September, three hand

grenades were thrown into Basateen camp from outside its perimeter. The grenades

caused no damage, injuries or casualties, however, are a cause of great concern for

the safety of the camp residents. In parallel, threatening messages are reportedly

being shared on social media from community members who are opposed to the

new arrivals.

The humanitarian community stands ready to cooperate with Iraqi authorities to

support orderly, voluntary and safe return of IDPs. At minimum, IDPs should

receive reasonable notice of organized return movements to governorates of origin,

adequate information about their relocation options, the ability to choose whether

they will relocate to camps in their governorates of origin or to their areas of

origin, departure letters before they leave camps to enable them to pass security

clearances upon reaching their governorates, and access to return grants to assist

their resettlement. Authorities must also ensure that host communities are

adequately informed of the impending returns and do everything necessary to

mitigate tensions between IDPs and community members. Information-sharing and

coordination between authorities of different governorates, and between authorities

and humanitarian actors.

For Further information, please contact:

Hilary Stauffer, Head of Reporting, Policy and Strategy, OCHA Iraq (Baghdad)

+964 782 780 4622 | Email: staufferh@un.org