Iraq has a long history of displacement. Following the February 2006 bombing of the Samarra Al-Askari Mosque, escalating sectarian violence in Iraq caused massive displacement, both internal and to locations abroad. Due primarily to sectarian violence, 1.6 million people were internally displaced, chiefly in 2006 and 2007, according to government figures. In coordination with the Iraqi government’s Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), IOM continues to assess Iraqi displacement and return through a network of IOM monitoring teams in each governorate.

IOM field monitoring teams assess the varying needs and challenges of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnee communities across the eighteen Iraqi governorates. These comprehensive assessments of IDPs and returnees are conducted through Rapid Assessment questionnaires in conjunction with the assessments of Iraqi authorities and other national and international actors.

IOM seeks to ascertain and disseminate detailed information about IDP and returnee needs and conditions in each governorate. Our objective is to promote a greater understanding of displacement and return in Iraq by facilitating policy making, prioritizing areas of operation, planning emergency responses, and designing long-term programs.