Iraq’s rapid closure of displacement camps could leave more than 100,000 people homeless

Iraq is pushing into the country’s rapid shutdown of displacement camps, which can lead to more than 100,000 people without shelter. This can be gruesome for these individuals in the midst of coronavirus pandemics and approaching winters.

The Norwegian Refugee Council estimates that camps are being shut down without advance warning in at least seven Iraqi provinces, with individuals being driven out. The government is expecting the sheltered people to return to their natives, after shutting down. During the war with the Islamic State (IS) militant group, many of these camps were destroyed.

Over six million people left their homes in Iraq during the war with the IS, of which 1.3 million now remain displaced. Much of the 4.7 million Iraqis who have returned to their homes, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says, live in extreme living conditions.

The Iraqi government launched its operation to shut down camps across the nation at the beginning of August 2019. While, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the process slowed down this year, it still continues.

On Monday, the Norwegian Refugee Council voiced its concern over the sudden shutdown of camps in Baghdad, Karbala, Diyala, Sulaymaniyah, Anbar, Kirkuk and Nineveh, leading to thousands of families being forcefully evicted.

The NRC is questioning the fate of these families, citing the current and approaching winter pandemic. Many of these individuals have come from devastated neighbourhoods and are unable to return. Most still have reports of arrests at checkpoints or due to the IS group’s assumed affiliation.

Hammam al-Alil camp was run by the NRC, with one of the largest expected to be closed in a week. Over 600 families residing in this camp have left so far. In addition , more than half of the individuals who have been driven out of camps in Baghdad and Karbala in the past few weeks have not yet been able to enter their region of origin.

“Closing camps before people are ready or able to return to their homes does nothing to end the displacement crisis,” NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland said. On the other hand, in this vicious cycle of displacement, it keeps scores of displaced Iraqis trapped, leaving them more vulnerable than ever, especially in the midst of a raging pandemic.

The NRC has called on the Iraqi government to give a prior notice of shutdown to the people living in camps so that they can prepare for the days ahead and arrange for alternative shelter and make appropriate arrangements.