The main challenges facing humanitarian aid in the country are the surge in internally displaced persons IDPs , security-related issues and concerns, and the difficulty of access to vulnerable groups. One of the most notable causes of this unprecedented crisis is the recent rise of the group calling itself Islamic State IS and its expansion in Iraq, which has resulted in the massive displacement of people fleeing terror and violence.
Baghdad Governorate hosts the largest recorded IDP population 18 per cent or , individuals , followed by Anbar 18 per cent or , individuals , Dohuk 13 per cent or , individuals , Kirkuk 12 per cent or , individuals , Erbil 10 per cent or , individuals , Ninewa 7 per cent or , individuals and Sulaymaniyah 5 per cent or , individuals.
While some of the displaced persons are able to stay temporarily with relatives or rent apartments, massive numbers of IDPs are still in need of shelter and basic services. To address such needs, the Government of Iraq, the regional government of KRI, UN agencies and international NGOs have been providing camps and temporary shelters as part of their emergency response. The number of informal settlements in Baghdad is increasing according to a report by Central Statistical Organization of Iraq, Ministry of Planning, which estimates that there are more than settlements in the city today.
Government officials state that such large numbers of informal settlements did not exist in Baghdad before , and that these settlements have been aggravated by the sectarian violence of Today, the number of informal settlements in all Iraqi governorates amounts to 1, excluding the governorates of Kurdistan , which accounted for almost 7. Many of the settlements consist of both IDPs and economic migrants coming to Baghdad in search of better economic opportunities; however not being able to afford housing has led these migrants to live in informal areas with no or little access to water, sanitation, electricity, schools or health services.
Such informal settlements, where migrants, IDPs and homeless returnees live, are spreading out in urban areas much faster than the temporary or durable solutions that are provided by the Government and UN agencies and NGOs. Presently, livelihood, rather than shelter, is the top priority for IDPs; and local integration is considered the most preferred settlement solution among IDPs.
