Highlights
As of 27 August 2015 there were over 3.1 million internally displaced people (over 530,400 families) across 3,430 locations in Iraq
Ongoing ISIL action and military operations continue to create displacement. Between 30 July and 27 August 2015, just over 11,000 families were displaced, with significant increase in those displaced from Anbar and Kirkuk governorates (IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix)
Syria and Iraq hit international headlines in August as tens of thousands of people arrived at Europe’s land and sea borders, seeking asylum and forcing European governments to reassess refugee quotas and migration policy
Where security conditions allow, the trend of displaced Iraqis returning to places of origin continues to rise. IOM reported 59,811 families returned as of 9 September 2015, with 51 per cent returning to Salah al-Din Governorate and 35 per cent to Tikrit district
On 15 August, UNICEF concluded its 90-day Plan for aid delivery in response to Anbar/Ramadi displacements between 15 May and 15 August 2015. UNICEF, with the Rapid Response Mechanism consortium, reached over 1.8 million people with immediate and life-saving supplies; ensured access to safe drinking water for over 129,000 people; supported learning spaces for over 1,800 displaced children to continue their education; vaccinated 27,000 children 0-15 years old against polio; and offered psychosocial support through recreation activities for 8,800 children in Child Friendly Spaces. The 90-day plan results contributed to overall UNICEF achievements for the Iraq-wide IDP response
Funding constraints mean that, as of August 2015, UNICEF cannot continue its support to partners for referral of children to specialized services in 3 camp locations in Dahuk and one non-camp location in Erbil. NGO staff have offered to continue in their roles on a voluntary basis for one month, as efforts continue to place affected children in new services
Throughout the summer break, educational catch-up classes took place across Iraq reaching over 6,000 displaced children and youth