Operations

2016 Plan Summary

Ongoing violence in Iraq has led to successive waves of mass displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.  Iraq now has the third largest population of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the world, with 3.2 million people displaced in the country since January 2014. They join approximately 1 million people still displaced from the 2006 – 2008 period of conflict.

Many have sought safety in the Kurdistan region, which is also hosting nearly 97 per cent of the 250,500 Syrian refugees in the country. UNHCR expects the total population of concern in 2016 in Iraq will reach almost 4.1 million people, including: IDPs; some 310,000 Syrian refugees; 50,000 non-Syrian refugees; 40,000 refugee returnees and 50,000 stateless people.

In 2016, UNHCR will maintain its lead role in coordinating the inter-agency protection and humanitarian assistance response for refugees in Iraq. In addition, the Office will continue to lead the protection, shelter/non-food items, and the camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) clusters as part of the inter-agency IDP response. It will also continue to implement its country-wide cash assistance programmes for vulnerable IDPs, monitor the protection situation and respond to their needs.

The Government of Iraq has provided cash grants, access to health care and education, shelter and food to IDPs. However, its capacity is increasingly challenged by the sharp decline in oil prices and the escalating needs.

The Iraq situation, which is also affecting neighbouring countries that are hosting the majority of Iraqi refugees, is facing a serious funding shortfall. UNHCR will continue to prioritize assistance for the most vulnerable refugees. Any gaps will result in considerable reductions in the provision of protection services and basic humanitarian assistance such as shelter, relief items and cash support to vulnerable IDPs.