United Nations: Iraqi displacement figure below 2 million

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqis displaced by the emergence of Islamic State militants in 2014 and the ensuing war have dropped in their numbers to below 2 million, the United Nations said Tuesday.

“For the first time in nearly four years, the number of displaced Iraqis has fallen below two million,” the International Organization for Migration said in a report.

“1,931,868 people remain displaced, the lowest figure since November 2014… nearly four million people have returned home.” according to the report.

“Virtually all (97 per cent) have returned to their habitual residences, two per cent to private settings, while one per cent (19,000 individuals) remain highly vulnerable having sought shelter in religious buildings, schools and unfinished or abandoned buildings,”read the report.

Iraq’s war against IS dealt a severe damage to the infrastructure and displaced at least 5 million. The government declared victory over the extremist group in December 2017.