16 Days of Activism: UN calls for justice for women and girls survivors of gender-based violence
As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), we are reminded that GBV harms women and girls’ health and well-being. According to the latest estimates, nearly...
The KRG Minister of Interior and UNHCR lay the foundation stone of the new registration centre in Baharka
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Ministry of Interior, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) today laid the foundation stone of the new Registration Centre in Baharka, Erbil, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). His Excellency, Reber Ahmed, KRG Minister of...
USA contributes USD 53.3 million to UNHCR operations, supporting the internally displaced and refugees in Iraq
UNHCR welcomes the generous contribution of USD 53.3 million by the Government of the United States of America (USA) towards UNHCR’s protection and assistance programmes to support vulnerable displaced persons (IDPs) and Syrian refugees in Iraq. This contribution...
The 1951 Refugee Convention: 70 years of life-saving protection
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a key international treaty establishing the rights of people forced to flee. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, says that recommitting to its spirit and fundamental principles is more urgent today than ever....
First COVID-19 vaccination unit opens in Domiz-1 refugee camp in Duhok
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Directorate General of Health (DOH) inaugurated yesterday the first COVID-19 vaccination unit in Domiz-1 Refugee Camp in Duhok Governorate. The establishment of this vaccination unit was achieved with...
Over 29,500 internally displaced persons in camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq receive civil identification documents
After a temporary halt of operations due to COVID-19 restrictions, the issuance of civil documentation for internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in Kurdistan Region of Iraq resumed earlier this year. The federal Ministry of Interior (MOI) has successfully...
UNHCR press release
A UNHCR delegation headed by the Representative in Iraq, Ms. Philippa Candler, visited the Governor of Erbil, Mr. Omed Abdulrahman Hassan. They discussed cooperation and humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons living in Erbil governorate,...
UNHCR press statement
UNHCR, which leads the Camp Coordination/Camp Management and Shelter Clusters in Iraq, welcomes the Government’s to allow the construction of semi-upgraded shelters in camps for displaced persons in Duhok Governate. The decision represents a longer-term response to...
Statement from UNHCR Iraq
UNHCR is saddened by the death of the Iranian asylum seeker who had set himself on fire last Tuesday, the 18th of May in front of the UN compound in Erbil. This tragic loss of a human life is regrettable and we express our deepest sympathy and stand with his family,...