Iraq is still suffering the consequences of years of armed conflict. The country was hit hardest by the recent invasion of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, which forced millions of Iraqis to flee their homes. To this day, many people still do not have adequate shelter, access to essential services or a good source of income. We have been working in Iraq since 2015 and have gradually moved from providing immediate humanitarian assistance to more sustainable aid. We help people rebuild their livelihoods and create new jobs. We help people who have lost their homes to secure permanent shelter.

Restoring livelihoods

For most Iraqis who had to leave their homes, the return is very complicated because they lost their source of livelihood and often a roof over their heads during the conflict. We, therefore, support them in rebuilding their original businesses or starting new ones. We help farmers to rebuild their fields and farms and provide them with seeds, equipment and the necessary training. We also empower women to integrate into the economy.

MORE ABOUT OUR WORK IN IRAQ

October 21, 2016 Iraq

Humanitarian crisis looms as Mosul battle rages in Iraq

Caritas is preparing for a wave of people fleeing the Iraqi city of Mosul as Iraqi, Kurdish and coalition forces battle to retake it from Islamic State (ISIS). Between 1.2 to 1.5 million people could be affected and 200,000 could flee in the first few weeks. While the weather is around 20° at night, the temperatures will decrease in the coming months. “They will need shelter, food, healthcare, clean water and sanitation and other aid like blankets and cooking equipment,” said Nabil Nissan, director of Caritas Iraq. Read more on caritas.org.

October 19, 2016 Iraq

Mosul battle could result in up to 1.5 million refugees

On Monday the 17^th of October the battle for Mosul, the last stronghold of the Islamic State in Iraq, burst open. It is believed that up to 8,000 ISIS fighters are struggling against the government who owns the numerical advantage of 25,000 soldiers. Civilians were warned of the imminent attack by thousands of leaflets and flyers. The United Nations has expressed its concerns about the safety of up to one and a half million people. Though the exact number is unknown, two million inhabitants had been living in the city before the extremists began their occupation in 2014.

July 28, 2016 Iraq

The battle for Fallujah in Iraq has resulted in additional tens of thousands immigrants

In June 2016, tens of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes in Fallujah where the bloody battle started. It was led by government forces against ISIS fighters who had taken the area under their control since January 2014.

December 22, 2015 Iraq

Children in Iraq have to overcome their traumas

Big eyes and a dark blue sweatshirt of a European football team, Zirak is hiding under the hood and peeks to see what's going on around him. Zirak is 9 years old and is afraid of thunderstorms. He fled from the village of Sinjar and now lives in Baadre, a village in the governorate of Dohuk, in the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan.