Iraq Humanitarian Crisis

When bitter fighting broke out near his home, Ali spent seven days in hiding with his family.

Thankfully, he escaped with his life and fled to the Khazer camp for displaced people. But life there is tough and there’s no telling how long his family will stay.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Ivor Prickett

Ali is one of millions of Iraqis who have been forced to abandon their homes after decades of conflict and violence.

Please give these families the support they need to survive.

Emergency shelter

to protect families from the elements

Essential supplies

like mattresses, blankets and kitchenware

Help to rebuild

so families can return to their damaged homes

What’s happening in Iraq?

After decades of conflict and violence, millions of Iraqis have been forced to abandon their homes. Mass executions, systematic rape and horrendous acts of violence are widespread, and human rights and rule of law are under constant attack. Terrified, many fled with just the clothes on their backs.

Those returning to their areas of origin are facing a number of critical protection issues, living in fear and trapped in regions controlled by violent extremists. It is estimated that over 11 million Iraqis are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

UNHCR is on the ground in Iraq and surrounding regions—providing emergency aid to those in urgent need, or helping families return home and slowly rebuild their lives.

Where are Iraqi families fleeing to?

Many families cross the border into neighbouring countries, but many more take refuge elsewhere in Iraq. In the Kurdistan region of the country—where over 1.5 million people have fled—one in four people is either a refugee from neighbouring conflicts, such as Syria, or an internally displaced person. This is pushing local services to breaking point.

How is UNHCR supporting displaced Iraqis?

Together with UN agencies and the Iraqi government, we’ve helped set up several camps for fleeing families. The eleven camps outside Mosul accommodate around 120,000 internally displaced people, who we provide with shelter, protection and other life-saving support.

What about those who can’t access the camps?

We also provide tents and emergency supplies to those sheltering elsewhere in the surrounding region.

How is UNHCR helping families rebuild their lives?

Wherever possible, we’re helping families to go home to their communities when they can return and it is safe to do so. We help them repair their homes and rebuild their lives. This means supplying tools and building materials, as well as labour and physical support.

Where can I access latest data, maps and reports?

Iraq Operations—UNHCR’s relief work to protect displaced people inside Iraq.

Iraq Situation Portal—for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for countries hosting refugees from Iraq.

Did you know more than 3 million Iraqis have been displaced across the country since the start of 2014?

Much of Hassan’s neighbourhood in Mosul is now in ruins—including his family’s home.

For months, Hassan and his children have had to camp out in Hassan’s brother’s house, but it’s has been cramped and uncomfortable for all of them.

With the help of UNHCR, Hassan is now starting to rebuild his home—and slowly put the pieces of the family’s life back together.

Photo: ©UNHCR/ Andrew McConnell

Much of Hassan’s neighbourhood in Mosul is now in ruins—including his family’s home.

For months, Hassan and his children have had to camp out in Hassan’s brother’s house, but it’s has been cramped and uncomfortable for all of them.

With the help of UNHCR, Hassan is now starting to rebuild his home—and slowly put the pieces of the family’s life back together.

Photo: ©UNHCR/ Andrew McConnell

Donate Today
Please help refugee families and internally displaced people in Iraq.

Donate Today
Please help refugee families and internally displaced people in Iraq.

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