Pathways to Reintegration: IRAQ

FOREWORD

Following years of occupation by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), recovery efforts by UNDP and partners focus not only on rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening local government in Iraq, but on creating an enabling environment for peace to facilitate the safe return of the displaced, whose daily lives are still affected by this catastrophic period, and to enhance community preparedness that addresses hostile social dynamics, crime and violence. Community acceptance is as important for the return and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons as adequate infrastructure and services and livelihoods in the communities of origin, which are vital for sustainable community-based reintegration.

In order to forge social cohesion and communal peace in Iraq today, the reintegration of families back into their communities is vital, including those who are perceived to have been affiliated with ISIL, or those who have family members who have been directly affiliated. These families, who remain displaced today, are often living in camps or informal settlements, fearful to return home because of the stigma that surrounds their often-uncontrollable past circumstances, and other barriers - including lack of income generating opportunities, destroyed or occupied houses, security concerns and lack of civil documents.

As an important analysis of pathways to reintegration for these families, this report puts forward the results of evidence-based assessments implemented within the project Community-based Reconciliation and Reintegration in Iraq launched by UNDP in 2020 for the return and reintegration of families perceived to be affiliated with ISIL. The project is dedicated to implementing targeted reintegration support, increasing community acceptance, and strengthening the capacities of national and local institutions and mechanisms in reintegration, social cohesion, and crisis response. Accordingly, multiple comprehensive assessments have been undertaken in four identified pilot areas to support the returns of thousands of families, analyzing the social and economic elements of their reintegration.

On a wider scale, UNDP is co-leading with IOM the UN Joint Approach for community-based reconciliation and reintegration of children, young people and adults formerly associated with ISIL in Iraq, and will continue to strive to support long-term peacebuilding and conflict prevention programmes to build widespread and sustainable peace in Iraq.