Introduction
Since the end of the conflict against the Islamic State in 2018, the humanitarian crisis in Iraq has changed from an acute crisis to a protracted one. The conflict displaced 6 million people between 2014 and 2017.
There has been a shift towards the return and reintegration of displaced people. Although almost 5 million people have returned to their areas of origin, some 1.1 million remain displaced. Access to civil documentation and basic services such as education is a challenge for those still displaced. Besides internally displaced people, Iraq also hosts over 321,000 asylum-seekers and refugees, mostly Syrian.
The EU provides humanitarian assistance with a strong focus on access to civil documentation, protection and education to the most vulnerable Iraqis.
What are the needs?
To date, approximately 134,000 people continue to reside in 21 camps for internally displaced persons in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
Additionally, around 950,000 people are living in urban areas (including informal settlements) dispersed around the country. Similarly, around 290,000 Syrian refugees are living in 10 refugee camps and urban areas (including informal settlements) of KRI.
Iraqis that remain displaced struggle to earn a regular income. The lack of civil documentation is a major protection issue that hampers their access to services and hinders their movements, including a potential return to their areas of origin.
In this post-conflict environment, Iraq is working with the international community to find durable solutions for displaced populations. While the focus has been on return, local integration should also be considered as a viable option.
Protection, civil documentation, and access to services are among the most pressing humanitarian needs in Iraq today.
Climate change is one of the main challenges the country will continue facing in the coming years. With the increasing frequency and effects of hazards, such as floods and droughts, environmental and climate-induced displacement is increasing in Iraq.
How are we helping?
The EU is a longstanding donor in Iraq, providing humanitarian aid and protection through its partners.
In 2024, the EU allocated €20 million for humanitarian programmes in Iraq and over €3 million to disaster preparedness. This funding primarily focuses on supporting the most vulnerable internally displaced people. We put a particular emphasis on protection, including access to civil documentation and education.
The EU’s humanitarian assistance focuses on protection services and education for people in protracted displacement as well as addressing disaster preparedness among vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
The EU aims to assist displaced people in obtaining key civil documents needed to move freely around the country, access social services and facilitate pathways to a durable solution. EU-funded multipurpose cash assistance additionally supports internally displaced people until they can access governmental social protection systems.
Civil documentation is essential for the freedom of movement and access to assistance, health care, and education. The international community encourages the authorities to implement a more systematic approach to providing official documents to all Iraqi citizens.
Since 2014, the EU has provided over €570 million in humanitarian aid to displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees inside Iraq.
Last updated: 11/10/2024