Voices from the Field : Featured Report
Iraq : In the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, a massive influx of Syrian refugees since August 15 has taken the humanitarian stakeholders by surprise. With already 149,258 refugees settled in Domiz camp and among host communities, an estimated 56,000 additional individuals arrived between mid-August and September 5.
In partnership with the UNHCR, REACH has been conducting baseline assessments in order to evaluate the refugees’ profile and needs, and therefore inform the planning, coordination and delivery of the humanitarian response in Erbil, Arbat, Bardarash and Aqra. These assessments have been conducted in all new camps of the region in order to support their efficient planning and management.
Findings of REACH’s assessments provide key profiling information on the newly arrived refugee population. For example, while almost 70% of the refugees are willing to return to Syria once the conflict in their village or sub-district is over, most of them have family members left behind who are intending to join them in Iraq indicating an expected continued influx of refugees into the region.
The REACH assessments also highlight the main needs of refugees throughout the camps. With improved shelter cited as a top priority by the largest proportion of refugees, followed by household items and latrines; food is not yet perceived as a priority, considering that multiple local humanitarian organizations are setting up meals distributions.
REACH is planning to continue its regular updates on the refugee influx in Northern Iraq, with baseline assessments planned in relation to WASH and food security in the new camps.
To read more about the developments in Kurdistan and how REACH is contributing to better planning, please browse through our latest publications from the field or visit the Iraq country page.
Please access the full report : here
To access REACH previous reports please navigate below :
Situational Report September 5th 2013 : here
Situational Report August 29th 2013 : here
