ReliefWeb

CONTEXT

The UN declared Iraq a Level 3 emergency (most severe level) under global humanitarian system’s classification. It is one of three current Level 3 emergencies in the world. Iraq is currently facing two protracted large-scale crises. Ongoing conflict has caused approximately 3.1 million Iraqis to flee their homes and become internally displaced in their own country since 2013, while over 230,000 Syrian refugees were forced to seek safety and refuge in Iraq since 2012. Over half of the Iraqi IDP and Syrian refugee populations are children. On 17 October, 2016 Iraqi forces began to re-take the city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) causing thousands more Iraqis to be displaced. Save the Children is currently responding to the needs of both Syrian refugee and IDP families, in camp and non-camp settings, by ensuring that children have access to quality education, healthcare, and protection services.

IDP Crisis

There are over 3.1 million IDPs in Iraq, according to OCHA, and 26% of them were displaced in August 2014. Nearly 87% of IDPs have fled three governorates: Anbar, Ninewa and Salah al Din. Displaced families are dispersed among camps and urban locations with a significant number living in unfinished buildings. Some children haven’t been to school for more than two years.

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) hosts 98% of the 233,000 Syrian refugees in Iraq, according to OCHA. Refugees are dispersed among camps and urban settings mainly across the governorates of Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah. In 2015 more than 15,000 refugees in Iraq returned to Syria, and thousands embarked on dangerous routes to Europe with their children. With depleted resources, refugee families in Iraq need food, healthcare, protection and access to quality education.