Iraq - From January through 5 October, 2014 IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) identified an estimated 1,814,862 displaced people (302,477 families) in Iraq. This figure represents an increase of more than 61,000 displaced people since late September. 

Ninewa and Anbar remain the governorates of origin for the largest displaced populations, reported as 147,875 families (49%), and 83,979 families (28 per cent) of the total caseload. These areas are the most directly affected in the current crisis and have experienced continuous displacement. Other areas in the central and central-north governorates also reported large waves of displacement through 2014.

According to an IOM Flash Report on Displacement in Anbar to be released later today, the recent clashes between armed groups and government forces have caused additional displacement in Anbar governorate, mainly originating from the district of Heet.

The heavy fighting in Heet City triggered the displacement of 3,708 families (19,098 individuals), including 525 families who had been previously displaced to Heet and have now suffered a second displacement. Most of the displacement was to other areas of the governorate, while some families fled to Kerbala and Baghdad.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq now hosts 47 per cent of all IDPs – 142,380 families or an estimated 854,280 individuals. The governorate of Dahuk, together with the disputed districts of Al-Shikhan and Akre, host the largest displaced population – nearly 550,000 individuals or 30 per cent of the total displaced population.

In total, seven of Iraq's 18 governorates have observed displacement from within and across governorate borders.  Salah Al-Din and Ninewa governorates have experienced significant population losses.

IOM Iraq Chief of Mission Thomas Lothar Weiss said: “In the face of massive displacement, IOM continues to monitor current population movements in cooperation with government authorities in order to guide humanitarian response. We are especially concerned about the condition of displaced families as the winter approaches. IOM is rapidly distributing winterization kits to displaced families, but the need is greater than the available supply.”

In the past week IOM began distribution of some 4,150 full winterization kits across 10 governorates. Each kit contains a kerosene heater, carpet, thick blankets, plastic sheeting, mattresses, pillows, towels, kitchen set, hygiene kit, floor mat, kerosene stove, and plastic cabinet. IOM has distributed over 41,000 family non-food relief item (NFI) kits since the beginning of this year.

IOM’s Iraq DTM and the Flash Report can be accessed at: http://iomiraq.net/dtm-page

For more information please contact:

Sandra Black
IOM Iraq
Tel: + 964 751 234 2550
Email: sblack@iom.int

Or

Laura Nistri
Tel: + 964 751 234 2549
Email: lnistri@iom.int