Over 163,000 people were displaced by end of January 2017 due to military operations to retake Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. After military forces gradually took control of the eastern part of the city, commercial goods started to reach markets and humanitarian access improved. The distribution of food, water trucking and restoration of water services are priorities humanitarian activities in eastern Mosul.
Some 85 per cent of the displaced people from Mosul are staying in emergency sites and camps supported by the Government and humanitarian partners. Displacements continue also from Hawiga district in Kirkuk Governorate. The overall number of displaced people in Iraq has decreased slightly, notably due to significant returns to Anbar. Contamination with explosives remains a serious threat to people in many areas of the country.
EXPLOSIVE HAZARDS
Across the country, 1,956 people have been wounded due to explosive incidents in December 2016. Incidents occurred mostly around Mosul city and in the Mosul and Anbar corridors. Families fleeing their areas of origin, living in displacement or returning to their homes all face enormous risks.
RETURNEES
Nearly 1.4 million people had returned to their areas of origin across Iraq by January 2017. Nearly 650,000 people have returned to Anbar Governorate, making it the governorate with the highest returns, followed by Salah al-Din with nearly 370,000 returnees.