Iraq

Working environment

Armed conflict both in Iraq and Syria, generalized insecurity, political instability and ongoing economic crisis frame the overall context, while long standing political, tribal and sectarian tensions continue to hamper progress on national reconciliation and political reform. The conflict in Iraq has caused the displacement of over 3.1 million people and more than one million people could be displaced due to the military operations in Mosul and surrounding areas. People of concern will continue to be exposed to violence, human rights violations, restricted access to safety and freedom of movement, abduction and illegal detention, limited access to basic services, as well as a lack of the documentation necessary to enjoy their basic rights. 

Key priorities

UNHCR will continue to work to strengthen linkages between key national entities and United Nations agencies in Iraq. Priority will be placed on further enhancing the protection space, provide shelter and emergency relief to IDPs, as well as advocating and promoting access to asylum procedures.  Efforts will be made to reduce identified protection risks through the provision of targeted services. Core protection activities include registration and documentation, child protection, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and durable solutions to be implemented with partners, while maintaining a strong community-based protection approach. UNHCR’s engagement with the IDP population will be primarily pursued by means of ensuring effective coordination of activities and response of the three clusters: Global Protection Cluster; Emergency Shelter and NFI; and Camp Coordination and Camp Management. UNHCR will also focus on the sustainability of the humanitarian response, emphasizing the need to reinforce of national services. For 2017, the pursuit of cash-based interventions, based on a community-based and age gender and diversity mainstreaming (AGDM) approach, will continue to be prioritized for extremely vulnerable families across the country for both refugee and IDPs. In the event of funding shortfalls, UNHCR will encounter great difficulties in providing core-relief items and shelter requirements for 50 per cent of the IDP population.