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October 13, 2022

Adam Lichtenheld

Immigration Policy Lab

Stanford University

Understanding Social Acceptance of Returnees in Post-ISIS Iraq

Saad Saadi

Mercy Corps

Here’s a step-by-step for how to change images:

Review other template slides by selecting “New Slide” under the “Home” toolbar—perhaps one the meets your needs has already been created.
If you need to change slide images, go to “View” in the topmost toolbar.
Select ”Master.”
In the Master Page, find the slide you need to change and duplicate it (this is critical).
Changing images:

If your duplicated slide has a colored filter:

Move the colored filter aside.
Select a high-resolution image that complies with CEGA’s brand guidelines and photo policy. Note the photo credit. Photos should be taken from CEGA’s Google Photos Drive or select vetted sources. See wiki page: https://wikihub.berkeley.edu/display/CEGA/Photos
Remember that not all photos will work for a PowerPoint template, so you may have to look around for one that will look nice and meet your needs.
Insert a new image (select “Insert” in the topmost toolbar and select ”Insert from File.”)
Crop the photo so that it exactly matches the dimensions of the old image and the colored filter.
Ensure image is black and white, not pixelated, not distorted. To convert an image to back and white, right click and select “Format Picture.” Select the picture icon in the right-hand toolbar. Select “presets” under “Picture Color” and select the first black and white option.
Ensure the positioning of the image exactly matches the original picture.
Delete the original picture and drag the colored filter over the new image.

If your duplicated slide does not have a colored filter:

Simply select a new, high-resolution image that complies with CEGA’s brand guidelines and photo policy from a computer file. Note the photo credit. Photos should be taken from CEGA’s Google Photos Drive or select vetted sources. See wiki page: https://wikihub.berkeley.edu/display/CEGA/Photos
Remember that not all photos will work for a PowerPoint template, so you may have to look around for one that will look nice and meet your needs.
Insert new image.
Crop to correct size (look at dimensions of original photo). Ensure image is not pixelated or distorted.
Ensure exact positioning of original image.
Delete the original picture.

Exit slide Master Page. In “Normal” view, ”Insert New Slide” and select the slide you just corrected.
Add text.

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>1 million people remain displaced in Iraq

A lack of social acceptance has prevented return and led to re-displacement (IOM 2020, 2021, 2022)

Addressing this challenge is important for ending displacement and preventing future conflict

CHRISTY DELAFIELD/MERCY CORPS

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Mercy Corps surveyed 511 Yazidi households in Sinjar and displacement camps in Duhok governorate to explore the conditions under which they were more or less likely to accept returnees.

Objectives

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Findings

Returnees’ movement patterns during ISIS rule shapes their social acceptance more than their ethno-religious identity
A sense of shared victimhood under ISIS makes Yazidis, especially men, more likely to accept Sunni returnees

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Finding #1

“I am going to describe a hypothetical person who is from Sinjar and wants to move back. He is a 35-year-old [Kurd/Sunni Arab] who...

1. …fled Sinjar after ISIS invaded the area [leaver]

2. …remained and lived under ISIS before fleeing later [stayer]

3. …worked in a government sector in Sinjar under ISIS [collaborator]”

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“Guilt by Location”

“If he had not helped ISIS, he would not have stayed in Sinjar. He would have left too.”

“Everyone who remains under ISIS rule is a supporter of them.”

“I answered yes because I trust him and because he did not stay in Sinjar unlike those who stayed and helped ISIS.”

PHOTO CREDIT: MERCY CORPS

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Finding #2

“Should Sunni Muslims be fully welcomed into your community?”
“How would you like having a Sunni Muslim as your neighbor?

“Treatment” prompt:

“Like your community, many Sunni Muslims lost and suffered through a lot because of ISIS. Their homes were destroyed, they were displaced, and many of them were killed, abused, and imprisoned by ISIS.”

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Takeaways and Recommendations

Politics of wartime displacement can influence post-conflict attitudes and social relations.

Promoting inclusive perceptions of victimhood can improve the prospects of sustainable return and reintegration – even among a heavily persecuted population in a highly polarized environment.

Need to consider gender-specific barriers to social acceptance.

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The Gender Gap

ISIS policies sanctioned the use of sexual violence, especially against Yazidi women (Revkin and Wood 2021), inflicting considerable trauma (Ibrahim et al. 2018; Kizihan 2018)

Survivors of sexual violence face a higher risk of PTSD compared to survivors of other violence (Campbell & Wasco 2005; Cortina et al. 2006)

SINJAR MOUNTAIN (SHUTTERSTOCK)