Return migration

Between 22 November 2020 and 3 January 2021, DTM tracked 4,484 individuals (826 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa Governorate. This brings the total number of individuals who have taken this route to 45,268 (8,488 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June 2020.
In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 111 to Sinjar (down significantly from 258 in the last round) and 10 to Al-Ba’aj (down from 16 in the last round). In this period, the daily number of arrivals to Sinjar is lower than the overall daily average since 8 June (205); the daily number of arrivals to Al-Ba’aj is also lower than the overall daily average since 8 June (19).
Of those individuals who returned between 22 November 2020 and 3 January 2021, a total of 4,106 were recorded in Sinjar (92%) and 378 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (8%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.
The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 2,514 individuals (56%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 1,077 individuals (24%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 78 per cent of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June. Otherwise, 515 individuals arrived to the sub-district of Qaeyrrawan (11%) and 378 arrived to Al-Qahtaniyah (8%).
Of those individuals identified as returning between 22 November and 3 January, 3,790 were recorded as returnees (85%), while the remaining 694 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (15%). This represents a deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (77%) and out-of-camp IDPs (23%) since 8 June.
Additionally, between 22 November and 3 January, a total of 3,555 individuals were recorded as departing from Dahuk Governorate (79%) – which is similar to the rates of individuals having departed from there since 8 June (81%). As with all previous rounds, between 22 November and 3 January, the majority of individuals from Dahuk were recorded as coming from the districts of Sumel (45% of all individuals) and Zakho (29%). The remaining individuals from Dahuk Governorate were recorded as coming from the districts of Dahuk (4% of all individuals) and Amedi (1%).
Additionally, between 22 November and 3 January, a further 810 individuals were recorded as having come from within Ninewa (18%), mainly from Al-Shikhan (14% of all individuals), with rest from and Sinjar (3%), Tilkaif (1%), and Mosul (<1%).
This proportion (18%) of individuals recorded as having come from Ninewa between 22 November and 3 January is consistent with the overall proportion of individuals recorded as having come from there since 8 June (18%). Otherwise, 31 individuals arrived from Sulaymaniyah Governorate (1%), while 40 individuals arrived from Erbil Governorate (1% of all individuals), and 48 individuals arrived from Kerbala Governorate (1%)—the first account of movements from there since data collection for this exercise commenced on 8 June.
Since 8 June, almost all individuals have been recorded as having departed from Sumel (49% of all individuals), Zakho (28%), and Al-Shikhan districts (14%).
Between 22 November and 3 January, of the 4,106 individuals who arrived to Sinjar District, 3,348 came from Dahuk Governorate (82%), while 639 came from within Ninewa (16%), 48 came from Kerbala (1%), and 31 came from Sulaymaniyah (1%). Additionally, of the 378 individuals who arrived to Al-Ba’aj District, 207 came from Dahuk (55%) and 171 came from within Ninewa (45%).
Furthermore, during the same period, a total of 2,826 individuals were recorded as coming from camp settings (63%), while the remaining 1,658 individuals came from out-of-camp settings (37%). This is broadly consistent with the rates of individuals coming from different settings since 8 June, as follows: 31,578 individuals have arrived from camp settings (70%) while 13,690 individuals have arrived from out-of-camp settings (30%).
Between 22 November and 3 January, increases were recorded in the number of individuals who had been living in camp settings in their previous districts of displacement. Since 8 June 2020, the total number of individuals now in Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj who have come from camp settings within Sumel is now 14,617 (up from 13,486), while Zakho’s is 10,808 (up from 9,705), and Al-Shikhan’s is 5,339 (up from 4,795).
In addition, since 8 June 2020, the total number of individuals who have come from out-of-camp settings within Sumel is now 7,507 (up from 6,598), while Zakho’s is now 2,078 (up from 1,889), and Al-Shikhan’s is 1,087 (up from 991).

Between 30 October and 21 November, DTM tracked 6,287 individuals (1,191 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa Governorate.
This brings the total number of individuals who have taken this route to 40,724 (7,650 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June 2020.

In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 258 to Sinjar and 16 to Al-Ba’aj. In this period, the daily number of arrivals to Sinjar is higher than the overall daily average since 8 June (226), while the daily average number of arrivals to Al-Ba’aj is consistent with overall average since 8 June (21).

Of those individuals who returned between 30 October and 21 November, a total of 5,925 were recorded in Sinjar (94%) and 362 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (6%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June (91% to Sinjar and 9% to Al-Ba’aj). In almost all assessed locations, all individuals were identified as Yazidis, with this group composing 97 per cent of all individuals that have returned to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since 8 June. Additionally, three per cent of all individuals have been identified as Kurd Sunni Muslims, and less than one per cent have been identified as Kurd Shia Muslims or Arab Sunni Muslims. The majority of these latter three groups were recorded as arriving to Sinjar District’s sub-districts of Markaz Sinjar and Qaeyrrawan, and Al-Ba’aj District’s sub-district of Al-Qahtaniya.

The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 3,633 individuals (58%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 1,279 individuals (20%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 78 per cent of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June.
Otherwise, 1,013 individuals arrived to the sub-district of Qaeyrrawan (16%) and 362 arrived to Al-Qahtaniyah (6%).

Of those individuals identified as returning between 30 October and 21 November, 5,345 were recorded as returnees (85%), while the remaining 942 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (15%). This represents a deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (76%) and out-of-camp IDPs (24%) since 8 June.

Additionally, between 30 October and 21 November, a total of 5,272 individuals were recorded as departing from Dahuk Governorate (84%) – which is similar to the rates of individuals having departed from there since 8 June (81%). As with all previous rounds, between 30 October and 21 November, the majority of individuals from Dahuk were recorded as coming from the districts of Sumel (47% of all individuals) and Zakho (33%). The remaining individuals from Dahuk Governorate were recorded as coming from the districts of Amedi (2% of all individuals) and Dahuk (2% of all individuals).

Additionally, between 30 October and 21 November, a further 931 individuals were recorded as having come from within Ninewa (15%), mainly from Al-Shikhan (13% of all individuals), and the rest came from and Sinjar and Tilkaif (both 1%). This proportion (15%) of individuals recorded as having come from Ninewa between 30 October and 21 November is broadly consistent with the overall proportion of individuals recorded as having come from there since 8 June (18%). Otherwise, 65 individuals arrived from Sulaymaniyah Governorate (1%), while 19 individuals were recorded as arriving from Erbil Governorate (<1% of all individuals).

Since 8 June, almost all individuals have been recorded as having departed from Sumel (49% of all individuals), Zakho (28%), and Al-Shikhan districts (14%)

Between 17 and 29 October 2020, DTM tracked 2,803 individuals (546 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa Governorate. This brings the total number of individuals who have taken this route to 34,164 (6,405 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June 2020.

In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 192 to Sinjar and 23 to Al-Ba’aj. In this period, the daily number of arrivals to Sinjar is lower than the overall daily average since 8 June (219), while the daily average number of arrivals to Al-Ba’aj is consistent with overall average since 8 June (22).

Of those individuals who returned between 17 and 29 October, a total of 2,501 were recorded in Sinjar (89%) and 390 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (11%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.

The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 1,233 individuals (44%), followed by Qaeyrrawan with 645 individuals (23%), and Markaz Sinjar with 623 individuals (22%). Together, these three sub-districts comprise 91 per cent of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June. Otherwise, 302 individuals arrived to the sub-district of Al-Qahtaniyah (11%).

Of those individuals identified as returning between 17 and 29 October, 2,212 were recorded as returnees (79%), while the remaining 591 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (21%). This represents a minor deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (74%) and out-of-camp IDPs (26%) since 8 June.

Between 2 and 16 October 2020, DTM tracked 4,042 individuals (752 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa governorate. This brings the total number of individuals that have taken this route to 30,706 (5,736 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June.
In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 19 to Al-Ba’aj and 250 to Sinjar. While in this period the daily average number of arrivals to Al-Ba’aj is consistent with the overall daily average since 8 June (21), the daily average number of arrivals to Sinjar is higher than the overall daily average since 8 June (217).
This increase in arrivals can be explained by increased assistance being provided to IDPs in returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj, as well as reports of greater employment opportunities in these districts compared with the locations in which they had been displaced.
Of those individuals who returned between 2 and 16 October, a total of 3,757 were recorded in Sinjar (93%) and 285 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (7%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.
The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 2,173 individuals (54%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 848 individuals (21%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 80% of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June. Otherwise, 736 individuals arrived to the sub-district of Qaeyrrawan (18%) and 285 arrived to Al-Qahtaniya (7%).
Of those individuals identified as returning between 2 and 16 October, 3,405 were recorded as returnees (84%), while the remaining 673 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (16%). This represents a deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (74%) and out-of-camp IDPs (26%) since 8 June.
Additionally, between 2 and 16 October, a total of 3,297 individuals were recorded as departing from Dahuk Governorate (82%) – which is similar with the rates of individuals having departed from there since 8 June (81%). As with all previous rounds, between 2 and 16 October, the majority of individuals from Dahuk were recorded as coming from the districts of Sumel (44% of all individuals) and Zakho (32% of all individuals). The remaining individuals from Dahuk Governorate were recorded as coming from the districts of Dahuk (3% of all individuals) and Amedi (3% of all individuals).
Additionally, between 2 and 16 October, a further 650 individuals were recorded as having come from within Ninewa (16%), mainly from two districts: Al-Shikhan (11% of all individuals) and Tilkaif (3% of all individuals).
This proportion (16%) of individuals recorded as having come from Ninewa between 2 and 16 October is broadly consistent with the overall proportion of individuals recorded as having come from there since 8 June (18%). Otherwise, 59 individuals were recording arriving from Erbil Governorate (1% of all individuals), while 36 individuals arrived from Sulaymaniyah Governorate (1% of all individuals).
Since 8 June, almost all individuals have been recorded as having departed from Sumel (51% of all individuals), Zakho (27%), and Al-Shikhan districts (14%).
Between 2 and 16 October, of the 3,757 individuals that arrived to Sinjar District, 3,217 came from Dahuk Governorate (83%), while 541 came from within Ninewa (15%), 53 came from Erbil (1%), and 36 came from Sulaymaniyah (1%). Additionally, of the 285 individuals that arrived to Al-Ba’aj District, 170 came from Dahuk (60%), 109 came from within Ninewa (38%), and six came from Erbil (2%).
Furthermore, during the same period, a total of 2,407 individuals were recorded as coming from camp settings (60%), while the remaining 1,635 individuals came from out-of-camp settings (40%). This differs from the rates of individuals coming from different settings since 8 June, as follows: 21,834 individuals have arrived from camp settings (71%) compared with 8,872 individuals that have arrived from out-of-camp settings (29%).
Between 2 and 16 October, increases were recorded to the number of individuals who had been living in camp settings in their previous districts of displacement. The total number of individuals now in Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj who have come from camp settings within Sumel is now 10,793 (up from 9,874), while Zakho’s is 6,888 (up from 5,894), and Al-Shikhan’s is 3,605 (up from 3,246).
In addition, since 8 June, the total number of individuals that have come from out-of-camp settings within Sumel is now 4,768 (up from 3,904), while Zakho’s is now 1,368 (up from 1,066), and Al-Shikhan’s is 771 (up from 681).

Between 18 September and 1 October 2020, DTM tracked 3,976 individuals (753 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa governorate. This brings the total number of individuals that have taken this route to 26,361 (4,931 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June.

In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 22 to Al-Ba’aj and 306 to Sinjar. While the daily average number of arrivals to Al-Ba’aj is consistent with the overall daily number of arrivals there since 8 June (21), the daily average number of arrivals to Sinjar is significantly higher than the overall daily number of arrivals since 8 June (212).

This increase in arrivals can be explained by increased assistance being provided to IDPs in returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj, as well as reports of greater employment opportunities in these districts compared with the locations in which they had been displaced.

Of those individuals who returned between 18 September and 1 October, a total of 3,694 were recorded in Sinjar (93%) and 282 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (7%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.

The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 2,476 individuals (62%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 850 individuals (21%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 81% of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June. Otherwise, for the first time since 8 June, a small number of individuals (5) were recorded as arriving to Markaz Al-Ba’aj.

Of those individuals identified as returning between 18 September and 1 October, 3,217 were recorded as returnees (81%), while the remaining 759 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (19%). This represents a deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (72%) and out-of-camp IDPs (28%) since 8 June

Between 4 and 31 January 2021, DTM tracked 1,256 individuals (227 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa Governorate. This brings the total number of individuals who have taken this route to 46,558 (8,721 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June 2020.

In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 39 to Sinjar (down significantly from 111 in the last round) and five to Al-Ba’aj (down from 10 in the last round). In this period, the daily number of arrivals to Sinjar was significantly lower than the overall daily average since 8 June (181). The daily number of arrivals to Al-Ba’aj was also lower than the overall daily average since 8 June (17).

Of those individuals who arrived between 4 and 31 January 2021, a total of 1,124 were recorded in Sinjar (89%) and 132 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (11%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.
The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 731 individuals (58%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 283 individuals (23%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 78 per cent of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June. Otherwise, 132 arrived to Al-Qahtaniyah (10%) and 110 individuals arrived to the sub-district of Qaeyrrawan (9%).

Of those individuals identified as returning between 4 and 31 January 2021, 1,058 were recorded as returnees (84%), while the remaining 198 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (16%). This represents a minor deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (77%) and out-ofcamp IDPs (23%) since 8 June.
Additionally, between 4 and 31 January 2021, a total of 993 individuals were recorded as departing from Dahuk Governorate (79%) – which is similar to the rates of individuals having departed from there since 8 June (81%). As with all previous rounds, between 4 and 31 January 2021, the majority of individuals from Dahuk were recorded as coming from the districts of Sumel (61% of all individuals) and Zakho (16%). The remaining individuals from Dahuk Governorate were recorded as coming from the districts of Amedi (2% of all individuals) and Dahuk (<1%).

Additionally, between 3 and 31 January 2021, a further 183 individuals were recorded as having come from within Ninewa (15% of all individuals), from two districts: 168 came from Al-Shikhan (14%) and 15 came from Sinjar (1%).
This proportion (15%) of individuals recorded as having come from Ninewa between 4 and 31 January 2021 is consistent with the overall proportion of individuals recorded as having come from there since 8 June (18%). Otherwise, in this reporting period, 80 individuals arrived from Sulaymaniyah Governorate (6%), and unlike previous rounds, no individuals arrived from Erbil or Kerbala Governorates.

Since 8 June, almost all individuals have been recorded as having departed from the districts of Sumel (49%) and Zakho (28%) in Dahuk Governorate, and Al-Shikhan (14%) in Ninewa Governorate.

Between 4 and 31 January 2021, of the 1,124 individuals who arrived to Sinjar District, 899 came from Dahuk Governorate (80%), while 145 came from within Ninewa (13%), and 80 came from Sulaymaniyah (7%). Additionally, of the 132 individuals who arrived to Al-Ba’aj District, 94 came from Dahuk Governorate (71%) and 38 came from within Ninewa (29%).

Furthermore, during the same period, a total of 589 individuals were recorded as coming from camp settings (47%), while the remaining 667 individuals came from out-of-camp settings (53%). This represents a deviation from the rates of individuals coming from different settings since 8 June, as follows: 32,182 individuals have arrived from camp settings (69%) while 14,376 individuals have arrived from out-of-camp settings (31%).

Between 22 August and 2 September 2020, DTM tracked 3,278 individuals (644 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa governorate.
This brings the total number of individuals that have taken this route to 22,263 (4,153 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June.

In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 198 to Sinjar and 21 to Al-Ba’aj. This is consistent with the overall daily average number of arrivals since 8 June; however, it is significantly higher than the daily averages recorded in the month of August (133 to Sinjar and 13 to Al-Ba’aj). The higher number of arrivals in September can be explained by increased assistance that is being provided to IDPs in returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts.

Of those individuals who returned between 3 and 17 September, a total of 2,966 were recorded in Sinjar (90%) and 312 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (10%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.
The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 1,855 individuals (57%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 723 individuals (22%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 81% of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June.
Of those individuals identified as returning between 3 and 17 September, 2,892 were recorded as returnees (88%), while the remaining 386 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (12%). This represents a deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (71%) and out-of-camp IDPs (29%) since 8 June.

Between 11 June and 16 July 2020, DTM tracked 1,584 individuals (264 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa governorate. This represents a decrease in the number of individuals that took this route between 4-10 July (2,169 individuals), and brings the total number of individuals having taken it to 10,165 (1,694 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June.

Of those individuals who moved back between 11 and 16 July, a total of 1,535 were recorded in Sinjar (97%) and 49 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (3%)—broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.
By far, the most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 1,214 individuals (77%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 297 individuals (19%).

Together, these two sub-districts comprise 85% of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June.
Of those individuals identified between 11 and 16 July, 1,165 were recorded as returnees (74%), while 419 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (26%).
This contrasts with the overall proportion of individuals been identified as returnees (67%) and IDPs (33%) since 8 June.

Between 22 August and 2 September 2020, DTM tracked 2,258 individuals (431 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa governorate. This brings the total number of individuals that have taken this route to 18,214 (3,366 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June.

In this reporting period, the average number of daily individual arrivals was 178 to Sinjar and 26 to Al-Ba’aj. This is broadly consistent with the overall daily average number of arrivals since 8 June; however, it is significantly higher than the daily averages recorded in the previous reporting period (48 to Sinjar and 7 to Al-Ba’aj). This increase was due to a significant number of individuals arriving in this period rather than taking their planned journey in August, due to temporary movement restrictions introduced in their displacement camp in Sumel District following an outbreak of Coronavirus.

Of those individuals who returned between 22 August and 2 September, a total of 2,130 were recorded in Sinjar (94%) and 128 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (6%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.
The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 1,452 individuals (64%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 472 individuals (21%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 82% of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June.

Of those individuals identified as returning between 22 August and 2 September, 1,837 were recorded as returnees (81%), while the remaining 421 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (19%). This represents a deviation from the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (68%) and IDPs (32%) since 8 June.

Between 7 and 21 August 2020, DTM tracked 716 individuals (132 families) returning to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj districts in Iraq’s Ninewa governorate. This brings the total number of individuals that have taken this route to 15,469 (2,850 families) since data collection commenced on 8 June.

Of those individuals who returned between 7 and 21 August, a total of 621 were recorded in Sinjar (87%) and 95 were recorded in Al-Ba’aj (13%) – broadly consistent with the rates of individuals’ districts of arrival since 8 June.

Rates of arrivals have continued to decline in the month of August after peaking in July. Between 7 and 21 August, the average number of individual arrivals was 48 to Sinjar and 7 to Al-Ba’aaj. This is significantly lower than the overall daily average number of individual arrivals to the two districts since 8 June – which are 192 to Sinjar and 20 to Al-Ba’aj.

The most common sub-district of arrival was Al-Shamal with 299 individ- uals (42%), followed by Markaz Sinjar with 228 individuals (32%). Together, these two sub-districts comprise 82% of all individuals recorded as having arrived to Sinjar and Al-Ba’aj since data collection commenced on 8 June. Of those individuals identified as returning between 7 and 21 August, 490 were recorded as returnees (68%), while the remaining 226 were recorded as out-of-camp IDPs (32%). This is consistent with the overall proportion of individuals having been identified as returnees (66%) and IDPs (34%) since 8 June.