Iraq Operation

Iraq generously hosts around 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers, over 90% of whom live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). There are over 260,000 Syrians, predominantly Kurdish, in addition to refugees and asylum seekers from Iran, Türkiye, the State of Palestine, and other countries. Over 60% of Syrian refugees live in urban areas, while the rest are in nine refugee camps. Over 1 million Iraqis remain internally displaced by Da’esh’s insurgency (defeated in 2017), while 5 million IDPs have returned to their areas of origin. There are 25 IDP camps in KR-I, hosting around 180,000 individuals. In areas of displacement and return, many IDP and returnee families continue to face security and protection risks, lack of local integration opportunities, limited livelihood opportunities and financial resources, and lack of civil documentation. Many households face significant barriers to return, especially those with perceived affiliation to extremist groups. UNHCR’s Area Based Programming for Protection and Solutions (A2PS) works within specific geographic areas to promote the sustainable (re)integration of those affected by forced displacement. UNHCR identifies locations where refugees, IDPs and IDP returnees live side-by-side with vulnerable host communities and develops projects that support the provision of quality public services through relevant government bodies, in partnership with development actors.

The Area of Responsibility Story Map is a visual representation of UNHCR offices operational areas in Iraq, illustrating the geographical distribution of responsibilities and the impact of our efforts in various regions. This interactive map provides a dynamic overview of our organization's involvement and initiatives, showcasing the scope and depth of our commitment to displaced populations across Iraq.