Approximately 1.5 million people remain internally displaced in Iraq, 70% of whom have been displaced for more than three years. More are living in the country as refugees, including from Syria. Our programs seek to meet their basic needs in displacement.
“Currently, it is all about adaptation. Our programs in Iraq and Syria have been completely adapted to a COVID-19 response in the last 3-4 weeks.”
— Taimur Ahmed, Concern Iraq Country Director
Years of conflict have uprooted millions of people, eroded social cohesion, disrupted access to basic services, destroyed livelihoods, and led to increased protection risks. With limited progress towards recovery and development, the situation has become protracted and millions of people across Iraq remain in need of humanitarian assistance.
*We are currently responding to the threat of COVID-19 in Iraq. Find out more about our response here.
The most vulnerable people in Iraq and those in acute need of humanitarian assistance are those directly affected by the recent conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
Approximately 1.5 million people remain internally displaced, 70% of whom have been displaced for more than three years. There are huge issues on meeting the basic needs of IDPs, returnees, female-and-child–headed households, and women and children. They lack adequate safe and dignified living conditions, access to clean water, health and education and have extensive protection issues in terms of dealing with their poor physical and mental wellbeing.
There are over 200,000 people living in displacement camps in Northern Iraq, making them highly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. With funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), Concern has begun a COVID-19 hygiene kit response, with plans to distribute to 84,500 people.
Last year, we reached over 1,200 Syrian refugee children and their caregivers through our protection program, which provides child-friendly spaces and psychosocial support. Here, children – many of whom have lost family members, been subjected to domestic violence, and/or been displaced several times – are able to play, learn, and make new friends in a safe and caring environment.
Concern has been in Iraq for two years, during which time our programs have focused on emergency response and gender equality.
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
