Introduction
Since the end of the conflict against the Islamic State in late 2017, the humanitarian crisis in Iraq has changed from an acute crisis to a protracted one. The conflict displaced 6 million people between 2014 and 2017.
Although almost 5 million people have returned to their areas of origin, around 1 million Iraqis remain displaced. Access to civil documentation and basic services such as education is a challenge for those still displaced. Besides internally displaced people, Iraq also hosts over 336,000 asylum-seekers and refugees, mostly from Syria.
The EU provides humanitarian assistance with a strong focus on access to civil documentation, protection and education to the most vulnerable Iraqis and refugees.
What are the needs?
As of March 2025, approximately 107,000 people continue to reside in 20 camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
Additionally, around 900,000 IDPs are living in urban areas (including informal settlements) dispersed around the country. Similarly, around 300,000 Syrian refugees are living in 9 refugee camps and urban areas (including informal settlements) in KRI.
Iraqis that remain internally displaced struggle to earn a regular income. The lack of civil documentation is a major protection issue that hampers their access to services and hinders their movements, including a potential return to their areas of origin.
In this post-conflict environment, Iraq is working with the international community to find durable solutions for displaced populations. While the focus has been on return, local integration should also be considered as a viable option.
Protection, civil documentation and access to basic services are among the most pressing humanitarian needs in Iraq today.
Climate change is one of the main challenges the country will continue facing in the coming years. With the increasing frequency and effects of hazards, such as floods, droughts and sandstorms, environmental and climate-induced displacement is increasing in Iraq.
How are we helping?
The EU is a long-standing donor to Iraq, providing humanitarian aid and protection through its partners.
In 2025, the EU allocated €20 million for humanitarian programmes in Iraq. This funding primarily focuses on supporting the most vulnerable internally displaced people and refugees. We put a particular emphasis on protection, including access to civil documentation and education.
The EU’s humanitarian assistance focuses on protection services and education for people in protracted displacement. Additionally, both addressing disaster preparedness among vulnerable communities affected by climate change and supporting local institutions’ response to disasters are essential to strengthen disaster preparedness in Iraq.
EU humanitarian aid aims to assist displaced people in obtaining key civil documents needed to move freely around the country, access social services and facilitate pathways to a durable solution. EU-funded multipurpose cash assistance additionally supports the most vulnerable internally displaced people until they acquire documentation to access governmental social protection systems.
Civil documentation is essential for the freedom of movement and access to assistance, health care, and education.
Since 2014, the EU has provided over €591 million in humanitarian aid to displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees in Iraq.
Last updated: 14/05/2025
Facts & figures
1 million displaced people
5 million returnees
336,000 asylum seekers and refugees, of whom 300,000 are Syrians
EU humanitarian funding:
€20 million in 2024
€587 million since 2014