3.3 Situation of the IDPs

3.3 Situation of the IDPs

As of 31 December 2024, the IDP population in Iraq stood at 1 053 038,1170 predominantly residing in the KRI,1171 specifically located in the northern governorates of Ninewa, Dohuk and Erbil.1172 Most IDPs live in private accommodations within urban areas or informal settlements.1173 However, as of 10 April 2025, 107 549 individuals resided in the 20 remaining formal IDP camps across the KRI (all in Dohuk and Erbil Governorates), with approximately 90% of these camp residents being Yazidis.1174 Another 84 552 individuals live in critical shelters and informal sites under precarious conditions,1175 often without access to basic services, thereby increasing tensions in urban centres already struggling with limited water supply, sanitation, and electricity.1176

Despite the indefinite postponement of the planned July 2024 camp closures,1177 government services have remained in place in IDPs camps. Nonetheless, irregular provision of food, hygiene kits, and fuel, primarily due to funding constraints, has worsened living conditions, especially in camps near east Mosul.1178 Several health centres in IDP camps have closed as part of the ongoing government return policy, causing major healthcare access gaps. For instance, in Dohuk, only 7 of 21 health centres remained operational after aid funding ended, despite the presence of approximately 190 000 IDPs in the governorate. IDPs account for 40 % of hospital patients in the region. The KRG reports over 960 000 IDPs region-wide, with health services costing over 2 million USD daily. Remaining camp clinics face shortages of medicines and qualified personnel.1179

IDPs faced ongoing challenges in accessing housing,1180 water and medical care.1181 They continued to encounter significant barriers to obtaining civil status documentation,1182 which restricts access to essential public services such as health and education,1183 especially for IDPs with perceived affiliation to ISIL.1184 (See section 2.4 on Individual with perceived affiliation to ISIL and section 2.7 on Children with perceived affiliation to ISIL). Overall, many IDPs remained reluctant to return due to persistent insecurity,1185 lack of stability and public services,1186 limited reconstruction, inadequate basic services1187 and lack of livelihood.1188 On the other hand, those who wanted to return often faced issues related to access to housing, land and property rights and general access to documentation and public services.1189 The freezing of US foreign aid1190 endangered many projects on reconstruction, rehabilitation, and support for displaced people in northern, western, and central Iraq.1191

Amnesty International reported about arbitrary arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances carried out at the Al Amal Center, formerly Al Jeddah center, hosting returnees from Al Hol detention camp in northeastern Syria.1192 (See section 2.4 on Individual with perceived affiliation to ISIL). In July 2025, a drone exploded in the Darkar camp housing Yazidi IDPs, in Dohuk governorate, Zakho district, injuring a child.1193