IDP FACTSHEET: DISPUTED AREAS NINEWA GOVERNORATE
DATA COLLECTED: 24 JUNE – 01 JULY
Ninewa Governorate, with a
population of 3,270,400 (2011),
is located in Northern Iraq to
the west of Erbil Governorate.
As a result of the takeover by
Armed Oppositions Groups
(AOGs) of much of Ninewa
Governorate, especially Mosul
District and its surroundings, a
large number of Iraqis have
been displaced to other areas
throughout the Governorate.
The sudden displacement of
thousands of people has posed a considerable challenge to the emergency response as
humanitarian actors struggle to understand the number, location, needs, and
vulnerabilities of affected persons. To work towards filling this information gap, REACH
has deployed assessment teams to the accessible areas of Ninewa Governorate to
identify the location, numbers, displacement patterns, priority needs, and specific
vulnerabilities of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Between 24 June and 01 July, REACH deployed assessment teams throughout the
accessible areas of Ninewa Governorate to communities in which it was identified that
large concentrations of IDPs were living. In total 533 families, comprising 3116
individuals, were identified and assessed.
This factsheet highlights key findings regarding displacement trends and most urgent
needs concluded from data collected through short household level assessments.
Summary
The overwhelming majority of IDPs currently in Ninewa Governorate have been displaced
from another location within the Governorate. A spike in displacement can be observed
on 10 June 2014, the day AOGs took control of Mosul City and the surrounding area.
The primary reason for displacement reported by IDPs was conflict experienced directly
in their neighbourhood / village of origin. In the same vein, IDPs reported on the whole
that they would only return to their place of origin if the conflict ended or if security was
restored to pre-crisis levels.
Most commonly, IDPs selected their current location in Ninewa Governorate on the basis
of a perception of high security or due to the presence of immediate family members.
IDPs on the whole intend to stay in their current location for at least the 10 days, however
a considerable proportion of IDPs had not formulated a 10 day plan at the time of
assessment.
Collective shelters and host families were the most prevalent accommodation contexts for
IDPs in Ninewa Governorate; however there are significant differences between the
locations assessed.
IDPs are currently relying on unsustainable economic resources to meet basic. As savings
are depleted, and the ability of host communities to provide support is stretched, IDPs are
likely to be forced to resort to negative coping strategies.
Regarding priority needs, food was the most commonly reported first priority need by IDPs
resident in Ninewa Governorate. Household items were reported by a significant
proportion of IDPs as both secondary and tertiary priority needs.
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DISPLACEMENT
CAUSES OF DISPLACEMENT
92% LEFT THEIR PLACE OF ORIGIN BECAUSE OF CONFLICT OCCURRING IN
THEIR VILLAGE / NEIGHBOURHOOD OR DISTRICT
With the conflict as a primary driving factor for displacement, a spike in displacements
can be observed on 10 June (31% of the total), the day AOGs (armed opposition groups)
captured Mosul City and the surrounding area.
DATE OF DISPLACEMENT FROM AREA OF ORIGIN
Differences in displacement date can be noted depending on the IDPs’ place of origin.
For example the majority of displacements from Mosul City, 52%, occurred on either the
10 or 11 June; as a direct consequence of the aforementioned event. Similarly, it was
most common, 46%, for IDPs from Al Hamdaniya to have been displaced on 25 and 26
June. This spike in displacement was a direct result of attacks by AOGs in other areas
of Ninewa Governorate.
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
FAMILY
85%
ARRIVED AT THEIR CURRENT LOCATION
WITH ALL IMMEDIATE
FAMILY MEMBERS.
IDP AREA OF ORIGIN
57% OF IDPS ORIGINATE FROM MOSUL DISTRICT AND 36% FROM TEL KEIF
DISTRICT , NINEWA GOVERNORATE
Of those with immediate family members still in their area of origin (2 persons on
average), 71% reported that these will join the family in their current location in the near
future. Just over half (51%) reported that they were in regular contact with people in their
area of origin at the time of assessment; a considerably lower proportion than in other
governorates, for example 71% IDPs in Sulaymaniyah were in regular contact with home.
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REASONS FOR CHOOSING NINEWA GOVERNORATE
PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS FOR RETURN TO PLACE OF ORIGIN
35% SELECTED THEIR CURRENT LOCATION IN NINEWA DUE TO A PERCEPTION OF
HIGH SECURITY LEVELS .
42% REPORTED THEY WOULD WAIT UNTIL THE CONFLICT ENDS BEFORE RETURNING
AND 35% UNTIL SECURITY IS RESTORED TO PRE -CRISIS LEVELS
32% REPORTED THE PRESENCE OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AS THE PRIMARY
The primary conditions which would have to be met before IDPs return to their place of
origin are consistent with their primary reason for leaving; 92% were displaced as a result
of conflict in their neighbourhood / village or district of origin. Only small proportions of
IDPs reported that they did not know what conditions would have to be in place to
facilitate their return, or did not intend to return under any circumstance, both 7%.
When compared with other governorates targeted for
assessment, the perception of high security was a much more significant pull factor, for
example, only 10% of IDPs reported security as the primary reason for selecting their
current location in Duhok Governorate.
REASON FOR SELECTING THEIR CURRENT LOCATION, and 19% the presence of extended
family / tribal affiliations. The presence of immediate / extended family, or tribal
affiliations, suggests that these IDPs have pre-established support networks in their
current locations; however as the crisis continues the ability of these support networks
to provide for IDPs will likely be diminished.
Return conditions vary based on the place of origin of IDPs, for example, 100% of IDPs
originating from Fallujah District and 33% from Ramadi reported that they would have to
see the complete return of the Iraq Authorities before returning to their place of origin.
INTENTIONS
CURRENT SITUATION
PLANNED STAY OR MOVEMENT
PRIMARY TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION
42% OF IDPS INTEND TO STAY IN THEIR CURRENT LOCATION FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS
In spite of this high proportion, it was most common for IDPS (48%) NOT TO HAVE
FORMULATED SPECIFIC PLANS FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS at the time of assessment.
Overall, only 4% of IDPs reported that they intended to return home within the next 10
days at the time of assessment. However, there were significant differences between the
different IDP locations targeted for assessment; in Bardarash for example, 32% of IDP
families intended to return to their place of origin within the next 10 days.
Assessment data also shows that IDP intentions are directly linked to date of
displacement. For example, 70% of IDPs that intended to return home within the next 10
days were displaced within the first two days following the takeover of key population
centres by AOGs. Only a very small minority of those displaced later reported the same.
Despite it being most common for IDPs to report an intention to stay in their current
location for the immediate future, as available economic resources are depleted, and the
ability of host communities to support stretched, it can be expected that IDPs will face
multiple displacements.
49% OF ASSESSED IDPS WERE LIVING IN COLLECTIVE SHELTERS AND 32% WITH
HOST FAMILIES
While collective shelters and host families are the primary accommodation contexts for
IDPs overall, considerable differences can be observed between the assessed locations.
In Qasrok, the majority of IDPs, 80%, were living with host families at the time of
assessment, compared with Al Qosh, Khatara, and Tal Usquf where the majority of IDPs
were living in collective shelters (schools, mosques, churches, and other public
buildings), 80%, 80%, and 81% of IDPs respectively.
Collective Shelter
Al Qosh
Bardarash
Hosted by family
Bartallah
Open Air
Batnay
Owned apartment
Khatara
Rented apartment
Qasrok
Tal Usquf
Zummar
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
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The significant proportion of IDPs in collective shelters or living with host families (81%)
will likely become a significant burden on host communities once resources are stretched
or additional IDPs seek refuge in the communities.
PRIMARY MEANS OF MEETING BASIC NEEDS
Observations by data collection teams note that the majority of assistance is at present
being provided by the local community, therefore the variations between assessed
locations highlight the different capacities of host communities to provide support to
displaced population.
Of the IDPs that reported receiving assistance it came predominately in the form of food,
92%. In addition a considerable proportion had received household items at the time of
assessment, 49%.
47% REPORTED RELYING ON THEIR OWN SAVINGS TO MEET BASIC NEEDS
PRIORITY NEEDS IN NINEWA GOVERNORATE
Of IDPs living in rental accommodation (15%), the average price per week was reported
to be 108,867 IQD (94 USD).
Significant proportions of IDPs reported that they rely on charitable donations or support
from family and friends to meet basic needs, 21% and 12% respectively. As a result of
the majority of IDPs currently relying on unsustainable economic resources, it can be
expected that as savings are depleted, and the ability of hosting communities to support
is stretched, IDPs will require considerable levels of support.
SUSTAINABILITY OF ECONOMIC RESOURCES
More than one month
Two weeks to one month
One to two weeks
Less than one week
Don’t know
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE
47% REPORTED RECEIVING SOME ASSISTANCE SINCE ARRIVING AT
THEIR CURRENT LOCATION.
There is considerable variation between the different
assessed locations with regards to the proportion of IDPs reporting receipt of assistance.
In Al Qosh 100% of IDPs reported having received assistance, and similarly high
proportions of IDPs received assistance in Batnay and Khatara; 92% and 95%
respectively. This contrasts with locations such as Bardarash and Qasrok where only a
minority of IDPs received any assistance, 4% and 17% respectively.
Water
Sanitation
Shelter improvement
Health assistance
Food
Rental support
Household items
Fuel
1st Priority
15%
1%
22%
6%
37%
8%
7%
3%
2nd Priority
3%
1%
5%
6%
30%
6%
35%
15%
3rd Priority
5%
3%
8%
11%
17%
4%
29%
17%
The table below summarises the areas and number of IDP families covered by REACH
assessments. In-depth information is available through area-specific factsheets available
on the Humanitarian Response portal for Iraq.
Location in Ninewa Governorate
# of families
# of individuals
Al Qosh
Bardarash
Bartallah
Batnay
Khatara
Qasrok
Tal Usquf
Zummar
56
91
101
24
82
90
54
35
533
334
535
569
119
504
477
272
306
3116
Total
About REACH Initiative
REACH facilitates the development of information tools and products that enhance the capacity of aid actors to make evidence-based decisions in emergency, recovery and
development contexts. All REACH activities are conducted within the framework of inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, you can write to our in-country
office: [email protected] or to our global office in Geneva [email protected]. You can also visit our website www.reach-intiative.org or follow us @REACH_info.
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