London-based women’s organization, Tadhamun (Solidarity) on May. 14 hosted an event on Iraq’s internal displacement crisis. Keynote speakers covered a range of topics and surveyed the consequences of this invisible phenomenon. Growing numbers of displaced Iraqis forced out of neighbourhoods, transformed into battle zones in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), offers only a simplified story about what’s been happening. Forced dispossession, urban cleansing, and expulsion are all problems that precede IS, as speakers uncovered.
Since Anglo-American forces invaded in 2003, 3 million Iraqis were made homeless. This figure does not account for the estimated 3.5 million that have resettled abroad. Pushed out of their country by different hardships, these people today form part of Iraq’s ever-expanding diaspora.
Professor Mundhir Al Adhami offered a historical timeline of displacement trends since 2003, and how the strengthened position of militias in the wake of the invasion, exacerbated the matter with unsanctioned armed groups acting as law enforcement entities.
Dr. Yasin Al Eethawi discussed changing migration and settlement patterns. Vigilante militias, and those absorbed by the state’s security apparatus have not only been targeting communities due to their religious orientation. One is easily hunted down for the political views he or she may hold. This has prompted the movement of some Shi’i Iraqis to Sunni inhabited areas. The other side of the coin, Eethawi explained, is the migration of Sunni Iraqis from IS held terrains to geographic locations they are granted access to.
Since Anglo-American forces invaded in 2003, 3 million Iraqis were made homeless. This figure does not account for the estimated 3.5 million that have resettled abroad. Pushed out of their country by different hardships, these people today form part of Iraq’s ever-expanding diaspora.
Professor Mundhir Al Adhami offered a historical timeline of displacement trends since 2003, and how the strengthened position of militias in the wake of the invasion, exacerbated the matter with unsanctioned armed groups acting as law enforcement entities.
Dr. Yasin Al Eethawi discussed changing migration and settlement patterns. Vigilante militias, and those absorbed by the state’s security apparatus have not only been targeting communities due to their religious orientation. One is easily hunted down for the political views he or she may hold. This has prompted the movement of some Shi’i Iraqis to Sunni inhabited areas. The other side of the coin, Eethawi explained, is the migration of Sunni Iraqis from IS held terrains to geographic locations they are granted access to.
Mike Phipps uncovered evidence of corruption within humanitarian circles, due to their relations with media donors, governmental and private agencies — working to advance a common agenda. Phipps dissected these relations, underscoring the politicisation of welfare to serve political agendas.
Retired Iraqi Consultant Microbiologist, Dr. Firyal Ahmad spoke about the multitude of refugee camp experiences, focusing on Ebil-based encampments, in northern Kurdish controlled Iraq. Firyal highlighted the fiscal obstacles in the way of alleviating Iraq’s IDP crisis, and the shortfall of funds from international humanitarian donors.
Joanne Baker from "Child Victims of War" organization touched upon the effects of war — material and psychological — on children, refugees within the borders of their home country. Baker presented some jaw-dropping results on both children and families. Without adequate food, resources and funds, and identification papers, the simplest daily tasks, are complicated for refugees and those supporting them.
Adding to Baker’s comments, former guardian journalist, Victoria Brittain commented on the importance of formulating an inclusive plan with clear steps of how to begin containing the crisis.
Ending the night was renowned Iraqi author, Haifa Zangana, tying these developments back to events in 2003.
Haifa gave a breakdown of actors and stakeholders involved, who are working to further erase an common iraqi identity through their inability to act.
Haifa concluded the event with a quote from Czech-French writer, Milan Kundera:
The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long that nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was...
Retired Iraqi Consultant Microbiologist, Dr. Firyal Ahmad spoke about the multitude of refugee camp experiences, focusing on Ebil-based encampments, in northern Kurdish controlled Iraq. Firyal highlighted the fiscal obstacles in the way of alleviating Iraq’s IDP crisis, and the shortfall of funds from international humanitarian donors.
Joanne Baker from "Child Victims of War" organization touched upon the effects of war — material and psychological — on children, refugees within the borders of their home country. Baker presented some jaw-dropping results on both children and families. Without adequate food, resources and funds, and identification papers, the simplest daily tasks, are complicated for refugees and those supporting them.
Adding to Baker’s comments, former guardian journalist, Victoria Brittain commented on the importance of formulating an inclusive plan with clear steps of how to begin containing the crisis.
Ending the night was renowned Iraqi author, Haifa Zangana, tying these developments back to events in 2003.
Haifa gave a breakdown of actors and stakeholders involved, who are working to further erase an common iraqi identity through their inability to act.
Haifa concluded the event with a quote from Czech-French writer, Milan Kundera:
The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long that nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was...
VIDEOS OF THE EVENT
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