The conflict in Anbar has caused almost 400.000 internally displaced (IDP) on top the 1 million already in displacement in Iraq. In the capital of Baghdad the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been able to reachsome of the most vulnerable IDP’s with cash assistance.
Over the last one month, DRC started its protection monitoring project in Baghdad aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of displacement; attributed to the loss of legal and social rights, as well as the lack of access to basic services. The project, targeting 2,000 IDP families is concentrated in five communities of Baghdad, namely Al Ghazaliya, Hettin, Amereya, Adameya and Al Khadra.
“With a rapidly increasing number of IDP’s and new waves of displacement to more than 500 locations across central Iraq it is vital to find solutions. This project targets some of the most vulnerable families in Baghdad and we hope to increase our efforts further in the time to come,” says Zinnah Kamah, DRC's Head of Programs.
Funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) is enabling DRC to assist displaced people that have critical protection needs such as the unemployed female-head-of-households, pregnant and lactating mothers, households with large numbers of children below fifteen years and the chronically ill. These special needs are addressed by providing cash assistance, documenting IDP needs, conducting advocacy campaigns and facilitating referral of cases that need psychosocial support, legal assistance and medical services. Continuous monitoring is also allowing outreach to other communities to gather information about new waves of displacement.
During the last one month, DRC has documented 363 IDP families with critical protection needs and has provided cash grants ranging from USD 150 to USD 400 per family covering a total of 360 persons.
"Local communities are generously assisting the displaced - sharing food, accommodation and household provisions - but the prolonged displacement is putting pressure on the resources of the host communities and reducing their capacity to cope with the increasing needs of the IDPs," says EsraSayhi, DRC Protection Manager.
DRC continues to collaborate with the Government of Iraq, the UN and other International and National NGOs in promoting IDPs' rights, supporting access to opportunities and basic services; as well as seeking durable solutions to alleviate the effects of a protracted displacement situation in Iraq.