Financial assistance

UNHCR uses cash-based interventions to provide protection, assistance, and services to the most vulnerable. Cash-based interventions help meet a variety of needs, including access to food, water, healthcare, shelter, and livelihood support through existing local markets.

• As an asylum-seeker or refugee in Iraq, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from UNHCR and its humanitarian partners.
• Asylum seekers and refugees eligible for cash assistance will receive IQD292,500 each month for up to 12 payments from the first receipt of a cash grant.

If you are found eligible for cash assistance: you will receive short text messages (SMS) on your registered mobile number including instructions on how you will receive your grant.

In certain years, where funding is available, UNHCR provides seasonal cash assistance to asylum-seekers and refugees during specific times of the year.

• Seasonal cash assistance is a one-time payment aiming to help vulnerable refugees to meet urgent needs as the cold season begins. Seasonal cash assistance is not always available, and UNHCR will inform you whether you and your family will receive such assistance.

• UNHCR provides both multi-purpose and seasonal cash to vulnerable households based on assessed vulnerability criteria of all asylum-seekers and refugees.
• You cannot apply for cash assistance. However, you can request to be assessed for vulnerability or reassessed if drastic changes have affected your situation.

Cash assistance is provided via either Zain Cash or Asia Hawala through e-wallet or iris payment technology

• Short text messages (SMS) will be sent to your registered mobile number along with the instructions on where and how to receive your cash assistance.