The Informal Economy & conflict: Dohuk – Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a case study

Authors

  • Nesreen Mustafa Sideek Barwari. Lecturer,Department of Spatial Planning and applied science/College of Spatial Planning / University of Duhok

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25212/lfu.qzj.4.2.22

Keywords:

informal economy, post-conflict, poverty-reduction, platform, cyclical,, individual, support/inhibit Dohuk, fieldwork Methodology, challenges.

Abstract

The article explores the role of the urban informal economy in poverty-reduction, peacebuilding and development in post-conflict city, and its scope to provide both livelihoods for the extreme poor and a platform for economic recovery. Postconflict recovery is a long and cyclical process and this article explores the drivers of conflict and links to the informal economy, examining both structural and individual factors that support/inhibit the informal economy’s role and growth in post-conflict  settings. Fieldwork was carried out in Dohuk exhibiting different facets of conflict and violence. Following the introduction, the article provides a
short background to Dohuk; it describes the political and socio-economic conditions in the city, current policies and attitudes towards the urban IE, and provides an overview of the periods of regional violence up to 2014. Later, briefly discusses the twostage methodology used in the fieldwork. The findings of the artcile are then set out exploring the characteristics of the IE in Dohuk today. It builds a profile of the IE workers and businesses interviewed, and the challenges and problems that the IE faces, before concluding with a commentary on potential protections to strengthen livelihoods. Fially, the article sets out recommendations to support the urban IE in Dohuk..

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References

UNHCR. 2016. Displacement as a Challenge and Opportunity: Urban profile: Refugees, internally displaced persons and host community. Dohuk Governorate: Kurdistan Region of Iraq http://www.jips.org/system/ckeditor_assets/attachments/317/kri- -en-web.pdf

ILO. 2016. The ILO in Iraq. Jan 2016. http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/-- -arabstates/---ro-beirut/documents/publication/wcms_444514.pdf

WANA Institute. 2017. Refugee Labour Inclusion: Turkey and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq http://wanainstitute.org/sites/default/files/publications/Publication_Refu geeLabourInclusion_English3.pdf

BRHA. 2016. IDPs and Refugees in Dohuk Governorate: Profile and General Information http://www.brha-Dohuk.org/wpcontent/uploads/Report%20of%202016.pdf

Tearfund. 2015. Assessment of the Livelihood Opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianrespons e.info/files/assessments/causal_tearfund_livelihood_assesment_report_ with_graphics.pdf

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Published

2019-06-30

How to Cite

Nesreen Mustafa Sideek Barwari. (2019). The Informal Economy & conflict: Dohuk – Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a case study. QALAAI ZANIST JOURNAL, 4(2), 700–747. https://doi.org/10.25212/lfu.qzj.4.2.22

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Section

Articles