The coronavirus pandemic has worsened the effects of the country’s dire socio-economic situation, disrupting education, livelihoods and access to food for many Iraqis. Syrian refugees and vulnerable families displaced during the 2014-2017 conflict against the Islamic State have been severely impacted. They lack basic services and are often unable or unwilling to return home. Some 2.4 million people in Iraq have acute humanitarian needs. The EU continues to provide humanitarian assistance and protection for those most in need.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an additional burden on a health system that is yet to recover from decades of war and neglect. Country is facing an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, for which the health system is not prepared.

The government’s closure of camps has worsened living conditions for displaced Iraqis. People returned to areas that lack services and security, leaving 590,000 of them in need of protection. Many moved to one of the 547 informal settlements with sub-standard shelters and facilities. Over 5.5 million displaced people are still missing civil documentation.

Despite reconstruction efforts in war-torn areas, durable solutions for return only exist for about 40% of the 6 million Iraqis displaced from 2014-2017. 2 out of 5 Iraqis who returned home lack adequate housing, jobs and access to basic services.

The drop in oil prices and COVID-19 worsened socio-economic vulnerabilities. Unemployment and prices rose while coronavirus restrictions hampered the access to basic services and other support. Refugees, displaced people, low-income families, and people in prisons and detention centres have been hit hardest. 

There is a need to improve access to basic services such as water, healthcare, education and legal assistance, as well as protection, psychosocial care and physical rehabilitation. 

The European Union is a leading donor in Iraq. Through its partners, the EU continues to provide humanitarian aid and protection through multi-sector assistance. This includes healthcare, shelter, education, water, sanitation and hygiene to displaced people in camps and informal settlements, as well as protection services for people deprived of their liberty. More support to the health system in the wake of the COVID-19 health emergency is also underway with a special focus on vaccination.

In 2021, the EU directs its efforts to help the most vulnerable, including people in camps, informal settlements, and places of detention. EU humanitarian aid pays special attention to displaced people affected by the camp closures, especially those that are unable or unwilling to return to their areas of origin.

In 2020, EU humanitarian aid was channelled to over 400,000 people, most of them women and children. The EU supports the resumption of basic public services, including healthcare and education in conflict-affected areas, such as western Ninewa, western Anbar and Hawija. 

Iraq has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak occurred as the humanitarian community was transferring health services back to the authorities. In 2020, the EU has directed €27.5 million out of €35 million in aid to humanitarian programmes responding fully or partially to the pandemic, reaching more than 400,000 people. 

In 2021, in addition to €25 million directed to humanitarian programmes, the EU allocated an extra €3.5 million to facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccination for the displaced population. Activities include support to referral hospitals and health facilities, provision of personal protective equipment and other critical medical supplies and awareness raising on how to reduce the risk of infection and improve access to vaccination for vulnerable groups. 

The EU has maintained its assistance in the camps for internally displaced people, including through food assistance and the preparation of quarantine and isolation areas.

The EU funds activities that protect people at risk of mistreatment and abuse. We support legal and psychosocial assistance for minors in camps and detention centres. Our partners provide protection and healthcare for people suffering from the long-lasting effects of the conflict. 

This results in specialised care and services for survivors of sexual violence, improved access to potable water in overcrowded prisons, physical therapy, rehabilitation and prosthetics for victims of violence.

The EU is equally committed to helping families who lost essential identification papers during the conflict through legal assistance. EU support helps tens of thousands of Iraqis obtain civil documentation. 

The documents are essential as they allow them to move safely, obtain assistance and care, attend school and vote in elections. The international community is strongly encouraging authorities to adopt a more systematic approach to providing documents, including birth registration, for all Iraqis.

Since 2014, the EU has provided over €506.5 million in humanitarian aid to displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees inside Iraq.

Last updated: 05/10/2021

_{Picture: © European Union, 2017 (photographer: Peter Biro)}

4.1 million people in need (Jan. 2020)

1.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs)

245,000 IDPs in camps (Oct. 2020)

4.7 million IDP returns since 2014

240,000 Syrian refugees (sources: IOM, UNHCR, UNOCHA)
EU humanitarian funding:
€478 million since 2014
€35 million in 2020

• EuropeAid
• EU External Action
• ECHO photos from Iraq