Protection

Registration and Documentation of Refugees and Asylum-seekers

UNHCR in Iraq registers asylum seekers seeking international protection. Once refugees and asylum seekers are registered with UNHCR, they are in principle issued with a UNHCR registration certification and can approach the government authorities for further steps leading to the issuance of their residency documents, namely a card issued by the Permanent Committee on Asylum Matters (PC-MOI) and the Personal Identification Card (PIC) issued in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. UNHCR also provides technical support for the issuance of this documentation.

UNHCR’s registration is a key protection intervention for refugees and asylum seekers as it mitigates the risk of detention, restrictions on movement, and prevents the risk of refoulement. Registration and the issuance of residency documentation also enables access to public services.

UNHCR supported The Ministry of Interior (MOI) mission to Anbar to address the need for civil documentation of internally displaced (IDPs) originating from Babylon (the no-return area of Jurf Al Sakhr) who are currently displaced in AAF and Bzeibiz informal sites in Anbar. During the three-day mission, the MOI officers processed 145 nationality certificate applications of IDPs (to be issued within the following weeks). Some 62 applications are on hold (to be processed once the lacking documents are provided by the concerned). The exercise findings indicate that the needs for nationality certificates in Anbar (and other locations within the Center and South) are no longer as acute as for the Unified IDs and/or housing cards (given the ongoing UID reform). And while the IDPs displaced within their governorate (such as in Anbar) can access the respective government offices to obtain housing cards, those from other governorates, and especially from areas blocked for return, such as in Babylon, are not able to obtain the housing cards within their areas of displacement (due to limited political will to locally integrate the IDPs and the declared intention of the federal government “to close the displacement file and return the IDPs”). UNHCR advocacy on UID missions by the MOI is highly needed and appreciated.

Support with Civil Documentation for Iraqi Nationals

Having a civil identity document – a birth certificate, national identity card or housing card – is the first step for any individual to be recognised as a citizen in their country. These documents serve as official proof of identity, enhancing access to public services provided by the state. UNHCR works with the Government of Iraq to help internally displaced people (IDPs) and other vulnerable Iraqis obtain core civil documents.

Legal Assistance

Working with partners, UNHCR provides refugees and asylum seekers in Iraq with legal aid, including counselling and representation. In 2024, over 17,000 refugees received these services, helping them resolve different legal challenges. UNHCR also assists detained refugees and asylum seekers, often arrested due to their status or lack of documentation.

Child Protection

 UNHCR and its partners provide support services to refugee children, including those at risk of abuse, neglect, or who have faced violence. Services include counselling, psychosocial support, and tailored interventions through Best Interests Assessments to improve their protection and well-being.

Additionally, UNHCR collaborates with Iraqi national child protection services to include refugees and displaced communities in their work. By partnering with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, youth networks, volunteers, and community organizations, UNHCR aims to contribute to a sustainable support system for children.

Preventing Violence Against Women

UNHCR and partners provide comprehensive support to refugees who have survived or are at risk of abuse and violence. This includes counselling, psychological support, and legal assistance. UNHCR is working with national partners, including government ministries and civil society actors, to improve services for survivors of violence so that all populations living in Iraq can access quality support.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

UNHCR contributes to the provision of mental health and psychosocial support to refugees and asylum-seekers. These services aim to prevent and treat mental disorders, offering support to those affected by distress and adversity. UNHCR is also working with the Government of Iraq to improve national mental health services and extend their access to refugees.

Community Engagement and Accountability

 UNHCR is committed to listening to refugees and displaced people, understanding their needs, and making sure their voices are heard in decisions that affect them. Across Iraq, in collaboration with partners, UNHCR supports community centres where people can come together. The centres serve as a place where refugees can communicate with UNHCR, share their concerns, ask questions and give feedback. This is an essential part of two-way communication and complaint and feedback mechanisms.

UNHCR also has a dedicated HELP website that includes a catalogue of services and assistance available to refugees, and operates a Feedback, Complaint and Response Mechanism which systematically receive queries about assistance, protection services and solutions in written, in person and through dedicated hotlines.

Resettlement and Complementary Pathways 

In Iraq, resettlement remains a protection tool for those with urgent protection needs that can not be addressed in Iraq. Resettlement is also an essential form of international solidarity.

 In addition, UNHCR supports refugees access complementary pathways like family reunification, humanitarian visas and private sponsorship. UNHCR does this by assisting refugees, where feasible, with navigating restrictive documentation requirements, supporting them to apply to such opportunities, and advocating with third-country representations for flexibility with visa issuance.