Dublin footballer and Concern Ambassador Michael Darragh MacAuley in northwest Iraq. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

Iraq

Why are we in Iraq? Years of conflict uprooted millions of people, eroded social cohesion, disrupted access to basic services, destroyed livelihoods and led to increased protection risks. With limited progress towards recovery and development, the situation has become protracted and millions of people across Iraq remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

*We are currently responding to the threat of COVID-19 in Iraq. Find out more about our response here.

The most vulnerable people in Iraq and those in acute need of humanitarian assistance are those directly affected by the recent conflict in Iraq and Syria.

Approximately 1.5 million people remain internally displaced, 70% of whom have been displaced for more than three years. There are huge issues on meeting the basic needs of IDPs, returnees, female-and-child headed households and women and children. They lack adequate safe and dignified living conditions, access to clean water, health and education and have extensive protection issues in terms of dealing with their poor physical and mental wellbeing.

Mother Amal with her youngest son Hevi (3). Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

Michael Darragh MacAuley about to pose for a photo with two children in northwest Iraq. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

Michael Darragh Macauley playing volleyball with kids in a refugee camp in north-west Iraq. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

A refugee camp in north-west Iraq. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

In northwest Iraq, Michael Darragh Macauley joins in on a game of soccer on some open ground. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide.

How we're helping Iraq

We are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in Iraq. We are doing this by establishing programmes which will offer protection services for children and tackle gender equality.