Iraq — humanitarian situation

Iraq continues to host significant displaced populations amid broader regional instability linked to recent hostilities in Iran and Lebanon. As of July 2026, the country hosts over 343,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, 88% of whom are Syrian, with close to 80% residing in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq UNHCR. While most refugees live in urban and peri-urban settings, 30% remain in nine refugee camps across the country. Concurrently, 997,334 internally displaced persons remain displaced within Iraq, including 97,271 individuals living in 18 IDP camps located in the Kurdistan Region IOM, UNHCR. Camp-based IDPs include 89,709 individuals in 13 camps across Dohuk Governorate and Zakho Administration, 4,368 individuals in two camps in Erbil Governorate, and 3,194 individuals in three East Mosul Camps. Regional dynamics continue to generate humanitarian consequences and elevated protection risks across the Middle East, including refugee returns in adverse circumstances to Afghanistan and Syria UNHCR. Following a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran concerning cessation of hostilities reached on 17 June 2026, diplomatic efforts have contributed to an overall reduction in large-scale military activity, though uncertainty remains high and recent weeks have seen a resurgence of hostilities placing pressure on humanitarian access and threatening civilian and essential services IOM. The broader regional context has affected multiple countries, with Afghanistan and Pakistan experiencing monsoon rains and flash floods causing 184 deaths and 597 injuries, damaging homes, water and sanitation infrastructure, and health facilities WHO. The Government of Iraq and UNHCR continue to work with partners to support refugee and IDP populations, though specific funding gaps and sector-specific response details are not elaborated in available sources. Mental health and psychosocial support remains a priority for populations affected by years of conflict and displacement, as evidenced by ICRC's concluded five-year programme supporting women and children repatriated from Syria and Iraq to Central Asian countries ICRC.