Iraq - The IOM Iraq Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), published this week, identified 3,171,606 internally displaced Iraqis (528,601 families) from January 2014 through 30 July 2015.

Based on the available information and the DTM methodology, the UN Humanitarian Country Team has now revised its planning figures for the humanitarian response to 3.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Approximately 87 per cent of IDPs are originally from three governorates: Anbar (40 per cent or 1,281,276 people), Ninewa (33 per cent or 1,034,358 people), and Salah al-Din (14 per cent or 429,744 people). During the last two weeks of July, the governorates experiencing the highest increase of IDPs were Anbar (31,896 individuals) and Kirkuk (17,958 individuals.)

The governorates hosting the greatest number of displaced people are Anbar 18 per cent (584,364 individuals), Baghdad 17 per cent (538,632), Dahuk 13 per cent (426,054), Kirkuk 13 per cent (399,660), Erbil 9 per cent (285,264), and Ninewa 6 per cent (197,844).

The DTM is an IOM information management tool that gathers information regarding the status and location of displaced persons across Iraq. Displaced populations are identified through a process of collection, verification, and validation of data. IOM coordinates with federal, regional and local authorities to maintain a shared and accurate understanding of displacement across Iraq.

In response to the recent displacement, with the support of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), IOM Iraq distributed over 6,000 non-food item (NFI) kits in central and southern Iraq within the last month. These summer kits include cool boxes, rechargeable fans, towels, mattresses, soap, toothbrushes, light blankets, plastic mats and other desperately needed items.

IOM Iraq Chief of Mission Thomas Lothar Weiss said: “Displaced people in Iraq are even more vulnerable in the intense summer heat. IOM is working in cooperation with the UN Humanitarian Country Team, humanitarian partners, and government authorities to provide NFI kits, shelter, health care and psychosocial support. Additional funding is needed to provide the scope of life-saving humanitarian assistance required to support the millions of Iraqis affected by the crisis.”

The most recent IOM Iraq DTM Dataset, Dashboards, and Dynamic Displacement Map, in addition to previous DTM products, can be found at: http://iomiraq.net/dtm-page

For further information please contact IOM Iraq. Sandra Black, Tel. +964 751 234 2550, Email: sblack@iom.int or Laura Nistri, Email: lnistri@iom.int