A decade After the atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic State, many Iraqis are struggling to return to normal life. Swept by the violence and the destruction, thousands of families still face monumental challenges in their quest for stability and security. Their villages are often in ruins, and returning home means facing an uncertain future, despite years of conflict. As the country struggles to recover, the scars left by war will continue to shape the daily reality of those seeking to rebuild their lives.
A decade after the devastation caused by the extremists ofIslamic State in the north ofIraq, many families are trying to return to some semblance of normal life. Despite their return to their villages, as for Moaz Fadhil and his children, the challenges are numerous. Houses are often in ruins, and the essential services are lacking. Next to 1 million of people still remain displaced, facing obstacles such as stigmatization, there security, and the difficulty in reconstructing a stable existence. While the Iraqi government offers financial aid to facilitate these returns, structural and social challenges persist, making the situation even more complex.
the difficult return of Iraqis after a decade of conflict
A decade after the devastation caused by the Islamic State in Iraq, thousands of families are trying to find their hearth and rebuild their lives. Among them, Moaz Fadhil, a 53-year-old father, recently made the difficult choice to return to his village, Hassan Shami, after several years in a detention camp. displaced. Although their return was motivated by a feeling of nostalgia, the reality on the ground is far from rosy, in particular because of the destroyed infrastructure and the absence of essential services.
The village that once welcomed them is today marked by the after-effects of the conflict. Several houses are in ruins and difficulties in accessing amenities such aselectricity or thedrinking water plunge families into precariousness that is difficult to overcome. Moaz testified that even upon returning, his family still lives in a damaged house owned by a friend, because their own home has become uninhabitable. This micro-reality demonstrates how returning home is an immense challenge for those who have lost much.
the challenges of returning to daily life
Iraqi authorities have put in place financial incentives to encourage displaced to return home. Families can receive up to $3,000 to help them get settled. However, beyond the money, they have to deal with a complex administrative process. Security checks are required to ensure they are not involved in crimes linked to the Islamic State. This poses a problem, especially for those who have a difficult past with potential enemies still present in their former communities. Many fear being ostracized or even arrested because of their past.
high-risk reintegration
The challenges of return are not limited only to material conditions. THE social risks are also omnipresent. Former members of the community may take a dim view of those who have been even remotely associated with the Islamic State. The case of Rashid, a 32-year-old man, highlights this problem. Released after serving a sentence for his affiliation, he now faces the uncertainty of his return. Imprisoned because of his past choices, he fears more for his safety than for his material comfort. For him, as for others, stigma is a <barrier> reintegration into their own home.
