Whereas in the northern Kurdistan Region there were many international organizations working to provide services to IDPs, in these provinces the onus for addressing IDP needs fell on local governments that had limited resources and capacity to meet the enormous demand.

Through a participatory process, we created comprehensive plans for addressing service shortfalls to mitigate a likely source of conflict in a region already under great economic and political pressures.

By advocating for and facilitating a participatory process, we created broad ownership of planning, as well as a more tailored and robust response to IDP and host community service requirements. The process also ensured that respect for human rights and protection of vulnerable groups remained core considerations.

We supported implementation of plans by working with international aid agencies, local governments, and local NGOs.

The Government of Iraq 2016 Plan for Relief, Shelter, and Resettlement of IDPs and the UN’s 2016 Iraq Humanitarian Response Plan are high-level endorsements of the ideals and priorities enshrined in the provincial IDP management plans developed in partnership with MSI.