JIPS’ 3rd Mission to KRI: From Coordination Structures to Data Analysis for a Better Understanding of Urban Displacement

In February and March 2016, JIPS undertook a third mission to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) as part of its ongoing support to three profiling exercises that are taking place in the Governorates of Erbil, Duhok and Sulaymaniyah. A Profiling Steering Committee has been set up to oversee these processes, including participants from the Erbil Refugee Council (ERC), the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre, Erbil Statistics Directorate, IOM, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNHABITAT and UNOCHA.

During the mission, the profiling support team, composed of both JIPS and Statistics Norway, worked together with the three Governorate Technical Working Groups at different stages of each exercise.

• In Erbil, the mission focused on analysing data from the household survey, organising an analysis workshop to collect input on the preliminary findings from different actors, and the collection of qualitative data to complement the survey findings. The final profiling report is expected at the beginning of April.
• In Duhok, the JIPS mission worked primarily with UNHCR and the Statistics Office Technical Working Group to finalise the methodology and questionnaire for the household survey.
• In Sulaymaniyah, profiling plans were discussed and agreed upon with the Governorate and the Statistics Office, who will be implementing the household survey. Data collection for both Governorates is expected in April 2016, with collaborative analysis and reporting processes to follow.

Although each exercise has its own specificities based on the different contextual realities in the Governorates, all three aim at the following two overarching objectives:

• to provide an analysis of out-of-camp urban displacement; and
• to support a comparative analysis of displaced and local populations residing alongside each other.

Given the complex displacement situation in KRI, where the majority of IDPs and refugees are residing in urban areas and financial constraints due to the fluctuating oil economy has negatively impacted the displaced and host communities alike, partners are awaiting results from these processes to inform a more comprehensive and coordinated response.

Read more about JIPS support in Iraq.