UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE ...

The Governorates with the highest presence of new IDPs (Al-Anbar, Baghdad, Diyala,
Salah Al-Din, Babylon, Kerbala, Missan and Najaf) feature an average unemployment rate
which is typically much higher than the national average. UNAMI estimates that the
national unemployment rate is some 50 percent rising to 70 percent in the worst affected
provinces, such as Al-Anbar. It is important to note that the pace and scale of displacement
is causing increasing distress to already unstable labour markets. Both the displaced and
host communities are affected by both shortages in job opportunities and the likelihood of
reduced wages as a result of the local labour surplus. Heightened employment shortages
and inflationary pressures linked to IDPs’ concentration may result in tensions between
IDPs and their host communities.
v. Access to Education
Access to education for IDP children is increasingly problematic. Overcrowded schools
with a shortage of equipment, school supplies and teachers are unable to support additional
students. In some cases, IDP children are denied registration. Poor maintenance,
unreachable roads and a lack of bus transportation also limit access to education. Some
schools have been closed because of occupation by military groups and the MNF, or, due to
security concerns, are temporarily closed or have schedules disrupted.
c) Conclusion
In light of the overall situation in Central and Southern Iraq, UNHCR considers that on the
whole an internal flight or relocation alternative would not be relevant or reasonable, given,
in particular, the existence of widespread violence and prevalent human rights violations,
the physical risks and legal barriers encountered in reaching other areas, as well as the
serious difficulties faced in accessing basic services and ensuring economic survival in
a situation of displacement.
2. IFA/IRA in the Three Northern Governorates of Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and
Dahuk
a) Overall Situation
The security situation in the three Northern Governorates has been less precarious than in
Central and Southern Iraq. Since the end of the PUK-KDP fighting in 1997, the security
situation has stabilized and local authorities have committed themselves to increasing
security against external and internal threats. However, the security situation remains tense
and unpredictable for the following, primarily political, reasons:
a. There is anticipation that the conflict prevailing in the other parts of the country, in
particular in the Governorates of Kirkuk and Ninewa, might spill over to the three Northern
Governorates;
b. Despite the recent unification of the two KRG administrations, the exercise of joint
control still needs to be demonstrated on the crucial portfolios of Peshmerga Affairs,
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