The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is IOM’s information management system to track and monitor population displacement during crises. Composed of a variety of tools and processes, the DTM regularly captures and processes multi-layered data and disseminates a wide array of information products that facilitate a better understanding of the evolving needs of a displaced population, be that on site or en route.

Through IOM’s Rapid Assessment and Response Teams (RARTs) –composed of 123 field staff– present throughout the Iraqi territory, the DTM collects data on numbers and locations of IDPs and returnees using an extended network of over 9,500 Key Informants. In addition to information collected from key informants, identified locations hosting IDPs are then visited and directly assessed by the RARTs to collect more detailed and in-depth information on the displaced population.

The DTM is funded by the US State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM); additionally funding is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the United Nations (Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund - IHPF).

In order to provide relevant data serving the humanitarian community’s information needs, the DTM monitors displacement in Iraq through the following components:

• IDP and Returnee Master Lists: published twice a month, the Master Lists are the backbone of the DTM in Iraq, and the foundation of the DTM’s monthly report. With the monthly reports, the DTM team releases an information package including various maps and dashboards. Figures published in the monthly DTM Report are also published online and can be accessed here IDPs Returnees Reports IDPs Returnees Reports.
• Location Assessment: completed in three-month data collection cycles, it provides a more in-depth view of displacement and return trends in Iraq. The Location Assessment dataset and main findings are published online and updates are recorded on a daily basis as new assessments are completed and registered by the DTM. Data can be accessed here.
• Safety Audit: this component collects site-level risks in collective sites hosting IDPs in Iraq and is part of the DTM global initiative to enhance gender mainstreaming in its data management systems .
• Emergency Tracking: activated on an ad hoc basis and released through daily updates, the DTM Emergency Tracking allows IOM to gather, consolidate and disseminate baseline information on displacement and return figures at the onset of a newly emerging crisis.