Attachments
Highlights:
- In the first half of 2024, the humanitarian transition progressed, with authorities taking over WASH services in camps and integrating refugee education. However, political turmoil and delays in government budget allocations have slowed down progress in child protection and education for internally displaced persons.
- With increased pressure to close camps and services for IDPs, completing the transition remains a priority to ensure that investments in protection systems are not lost, and to ensure that IDP children do not drop out of school at the end of displacement.
- Returns from northeast Syria continued and are expected to be largely completed by the end of 2026. Coordination mechanisms have been strengthened, with an increased focus on reintegration issues, including civil documentation.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
649,170 Children in need of humanitarian assistance
1,100,000 People in need of humanitarian assistance
740,514 Children needing access to safe water
600,000 Children in need of access to education
FUNDING OVERVIEW ANDPARTNERSHIPS
In 2024, UNICEF requires $41 million to address the urgent humanitarian needs of vulnerable children and their families affected by protracted conflicts, political instability and climate change. Child protection initiatives represent the largest share of the country's appeal at 36%, followed by education and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
By the end of June, UNICEF's Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal was approximately 20% per cent funded, with 7% received in 2024 and 13% carried over from 2023. UNICEF HAC appeal in Iraq in 2024 was mainly funded by the US Department of State BPRM, ECHO and through the Luxembourg Committee for UNICEF. UNICEF expresses its sincere gratitude to all its resource partners for contributions received.
Crucially, UNICEF Iraq received humanitarian funds in via UNICEF headquarters and the regional office under humanitarian pooled funding, allowing the office to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner, reaching the most vulnerable populations in conflict and displacement- affected locations. To sustain essential services for vulnerable women and children and build national and sub national capacities for smooth handover of basic service delivery for populations affected by protracted crisis and climate change, UNICEF continues requires flexible multi- year funding. Especially because of the slowed transition due to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s (KRI) budget crisis, continued funding is crucial to ensure a completion of hand over to government and integration of activities into government systems.
SITUATION OVERVIEW ANDHUMANITARIAN NEEDS
While crucial progress has been achieved on the humanitarian transition in Iraq, there are still key issues that remain unresolved, especially for IDP education and child protection. Following a decision in March by the government of Iraq to close remaining IDP camps and the parallel school system for IDPs (all located in Kurdistan Region in Iraq), UNICEF has advocate to find solutions for 150,000 children who could be out of school if the current system is discontinued. Following strong advocacy by UNICEF and other actors, it has been agreed by the Government of Iraq that the IDP education system for IDPs will be sustained for one more year. While this is positive, it still highlights the need to complete a transition for education for IDP children who settle in KRI, both for children who live in camps and displaced children who live in communities; only 20% of IDP children live in camps. While camp closures are on hold, UNICEF’s child protection services in the camps are also affected.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Iraq worked closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) to hand over child protection centres; however, the budget crisis in KRG and the delay in parliamentary elections has pushed this process ahead.
The return of Iraqi citizens from northeastern Syria to Iraq continues, with 17,000 of the initial 30,000 Iraqis in Al-Hol still remaining. UNICEF is actively supporting this process through various programmes and coordination efforts. These programs include child protection, gender- based violence prevention, education, health, and WASH services at the reception centre in Ninewa, where returnees are processed. Additionally, UNICEF is supporting reintegration programs in the areas where returnees are resettled.
UNICEF's support is provided through both civil society organisations and government channels. As part of its strategy to reach and support dispersed child populations, UNICEF is aiding the reform of the social worker function within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which includes the establishment of a child protection unit at both the ministry and governorate levels.
UNICEF also co- chairs the Technical Working Group alongside IOM and the Office of the National Security Adviser. The return process from NES is progressing steadily but remains a complex political challenge. Key issues include obtaining civil documentation, ensuring acceptance, and accessing services for the most vulnerable children and women.