Middle East

Response in 2019

The Middle East region continued to bear some of the most adverse and prolonged humanitarian crises globally, with complex drivers including ongoing hostilities and a lack of political solutions. As a result, emergency assistance remained at the forefront of the operational response in 2019, in tandem with work that focused on preserving protection space and creating conditions for people of concern to voluntarily return in safety and in dignity

In Iraq, the overall security and political situation remained stable until October 2019, when mass demonstrations erupted across the central and southern governorates. Regional tensions also escalated towards the end of the year, further compromising efforts towards stability, transition and reconciliation. While 4.6 million people had returned to their communities since the height of the conflict in 2014, some 1.4 million people remained internally displaced in Iraq - more than half of whom had been displaced for at least three years. Despite significant efforts to rebuild the country and revitalize local economies, significant challenges hindered return in 2019. These included security concerns, lack of social cohesion, documentation issues, limited livelihood opportunities, as well as destroyed or damaged housing. Protection risks for IDPs and returnees also remained acute, with many families affected by physical insecurity, limited freedom of movement, confiscation of documents, detention, forced evictions, and increased risk of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). Meanwhile, some 280,000 Iraqi refugees and asylum-seekers were hosted in neighbouring countries by the end of year.

The Syria situation remained one of the largest humanitarian and refugee crisis in the world.  With the crisis in its ninth year, more than 6.1 million Syrians remained internally displaced and over 5.5 million Syrian refugees were hosted in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Inside the Syrian Arabic Republic (Syria), humanitarian access to areas with IDPs and returnees remained challenging. While internal displacement decreased in 2019 compared to previous years, new large-scale displacements continued to be recorded, particularly in the north-east and north-west of the country. Despite security and operational challenges, UNHCR and partners reached approximately 1.7 million people inside Syria with protection activities, 1.8 million people with core relief items, and over 520,000 people with emergency and long-term or permanent shelter support. Under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, UNHCR continued to conduct cross-border interventions from Turkey, assisting more than 358,000 people with core relief items and shelter assistance, and reaching over 153,000 people with protection services.

The level and pace of return movements gradually increased over the year. From January to December 2019, UNHCR verified the return of around 95,000 refugees to Syria from neighbouring countries. Surveys conducted by UNHCR to gauge the intention of Syrian refugees indicated that at least three-quarters of the population hoped to return one day. UNHCR maintained a comprehensive approach in pursuing the full range of durable solutions for Syrian refugees. For those who chose to return, the Office provided an array of support, including documentation and counselling, and solutions for unaccompanied or separated children.

UNHCR continued to lead the regional refugee and resilience plan in response to the Syria crisis (3RP), together with UNDP. Built around government-led national plans and cost-effective and innovative programming, the 3RP is carried out through a coalition of over 270 partners. In 2019, 3RP partners, in support of national efforts, reached over 3.3 million Syrian refugees and members host communities with health and nutrition services, enrolled over 1.3 million children in education, provided almost 580,000 households with basic needs assistance (including in-kind support and cash assistance), assisted more than 1.5 million people with food, and provided over 110,000 children with child protection and psycho-social support programmes.
 
The situation in Yemen remained dire for some 24.1 million people, with active conflict and political instability leading to further protracted displacement. Clashes across multiple governorates both in the north and south were recorded throughout the year, with civilians bearing the brunt of the hostilities. The Stockholm Agreement for Hudaydah remained only partially implemented, as both sides reported violations of the ceasefire and de-escalation terms. Blockades and restrictions on humanitarian aid negatively impacted people of concern, while unprecedent rains and flooding drove outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria. Meanwhile, the capacity of communities to host some 279,000 refugees and asylum-seekers was further stretched, with people of concern from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia facing increasing risk of arbitrary arrest, detention, limited livelihood opportunities and a breakdown in local services. Despite a challenging operational context, UNHCR continued to support solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers through voluntary repatriation, resettlement and complementary pathways, while expanding livelihood opportunities for IDPs through income-generating activities and multipurpose cash assistance.   
 

Operations in Middle East in 2019

For countries in the Gulf (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), UNHCR continued its advocacy and resource-mobilization activities throughout 2019. The ‘Refugee Zakat Fund’ was launched with the support of Gulf States as an efficient, Shariah-compliant structure to assist vulnerable refugees and IDPs globally with cash assistance, with some $40 million raised to assist over 600,000 beneficiaries in its first year. UNHCR meanwhile continued to advocate for the development of national asylum frameworks, providing support and advice to the Governments of Kuwait and Qatar on national legislative measures protecting people of concern.
 
While the operational environment remained limited in the sub-region, UNHCR continued to provide protection assistance, including registration and legal support; as well as solutions, such as resettlement, although quotas remained insufficient to meet demand. The number of people seeking asylum continued to increase steadily in some countries: Saudi Arabia saw its asylum-seeking population rise by 10%, while the United Arab Emirates recorded a 12% increase from the year prior. In a positive development, the Government of the United Arab Emirates continued to grant renewable visas to Libyans, Syrians, Yemenis and other people from conflict-affected countries residing irregularly. UNHCR continued to engage with the private sector and humanitarian partners to provide asylum-seekers with legal support, medical services, and livelihood and educational opportunities.