Iraq: ICRC helps internally displaced people in Diyala Governorate

07-08-2013 Photo gallery

In July 2013, more than 300 families, many of them headed by women, had to leave their homes in Muqdadiya district in Diyala Governorate, some 50 km north-east of Baquba, in yet another wave of violence. Like many others in this country, wracked by decades of conflict, they found refuge with their relatives in neighbouring villages, putting an additional burden on the host community. Sharing overcrowded rooms with several families, they live in fear and uncertainty about the future. The ICRC has provided these families with food, blankets, hygiene items, kitchen sets and other household necessities.

- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Many families have sought refuge with their relatives, but others are having to depend on the goodwill of neighbours. Salhiya, a widow, is staying in a small room with her four children and five other families.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01143
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Displacement is particularly hard on children. Eight-year-old Abdullah loves to play, but he also remembers everything that happened the night before he had to flee with his mother, aunt and three siblings.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01145
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Displaced families have put a heavy burden on the host communities who are sharing their scarce resources. Feisal, a father of seven, is looking after his cousin Manti and another six families. He now shares the four rooms of his house with 33 people.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Immediately after the displacement, ICRC teams went to Diyala to assess the situation. They decided to distribute emergency items to help the displaced people and relieve the burden on host families. Fatima and her 10-year-old daughter Tayyebeh were among the 335 families that we helped.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01146
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Mohammad (10) watches ICRC staff supervise the unloading of the aid trucks. The ICRC has distributed more than 300 support packages, each consisting of a food parcel, a hygiene kit, a kitchen set, jerrycans and thermoses. On top of all that, we have distributed over 1000 blankets.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01147
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  ICRC employee Mohammad checks the list of displaced families who will receive aid from the ICRC.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  A member of the internally displaced community carries two boxes containing food parcels. People usually arrive with no more than a few basic belongings. Most have nothing left to sell and have no means of supporting themselves.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01148
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Hana, a widow and mother of eight, carries sets of blankets she has just collected from the ICRC. She had to leave everything behind, and ICRC aid is all she has.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Fadiha sits next to the boxes of emergency supplies she has received from the ICRC. Despite being left to bring up seven children on her own after her husband died a few years back, she remains positive.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01149
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Fatima carries a food parcel to a rented mini-bus waiting to take her “home.” Each family received enough rice, beans and cooking oil to last them for one month. Women usually pick up the aid, as they are in charge of the household.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek
- Diyala Governorate, Iraq.
  Hana and her friend get into a mini-bus on their way back to their temporary home. Many displaced people are still afraid to return to their villages.
  © ICRC / P. Krzysiek / v-p-iq-e-01144