Background and context
DRC has been working in Diyala governorate since April 2003, which is located north-east of Baghdad.  The total population of 1.7 million people constitutes of Arab Sunni muslims and Kurds. The security situation in Diyala remains tense and varies from district to district, with sporadic attacks occurring. Bombing has increased in Ba’quba district, and returnee families in Al Katoon area of Ba’quba have been threatened by local militia members. There are also improvised explosive device (IED) explosions, kidnappings, and suicide bombings.

Displacement
The Governorate has a history of ethnic and religious mixing and changing political agendas, which is creating tensions between the communities. In terms of a very unstable security situation, Baquba and Muqdadia are particularly unaccessible. Khanaqin, located in the Kurdish area, is considered a relatively safe area, and access to communities is mostly unrestricted.

Pre-2003
Due to the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the Mandali and Khanaqin Districts, both bordering Iran, were to a large extent decimated. Diyala governorate was also used as a supply route for transporting arms and ammunition to the war front, which further contributed to the deterioration of infrastructure, economy and the displacement situation. The number of IDPs from before 2003 is 55,000-60.000 and most of the IDPs are not registered with the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM). This is mainly due to insecurity in the area and to the distance to the MoDM office.

Post-2003
The total number of new IDPs in Diyala is estimated to be around 42,000 and the majority of these people come from within the governorate, especially from Al-Muqdadiya and Baaquba districts, due to various military operations and insurgent attacks.

Humanitarian needs
On top of the extremely critical security situation in most of Diyala governorate, the displaced population is experiencing limited access to basic services and public facilities and at the same time have limited options to improve their situation. Most of them have settled in rented accommodation or with relatives and friends which has additionally exhausted their already modest financial means. The large majority of IDPs sees shelter and employment opportunities as their most urgent needs followed by the access to food rations and legal documentation.