Iraq — humanitarian situation

Iraq faces compounding pressures from regional military escalation and ongoing displacement needs, as heightened tensions since late February 2026 have introduced new vulnerabilities to an already fragile humanitarian context. Regional hostilities involving the Islamic Republic of Iran, which began on 28 February and continued despite an 8 April ceasefire, have generated cross-border security incidents in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, including drone and missile attacks throughout early June (IOM). These developments unfold against a backdrop of protracted internal displacement, with Iraq hosting around 350,500 refugees and asylum-seekers—88 percent Syrian—and approximately 100,000 IDPs in 18 camps as of May 2026 (UNHCR). Eighty-one percent of refugees reside in the Kurdistan Region, with 26 percent of the refugee population remaining in nine camps nationwide. Sectoral needs remain significant, particularly in areas hosting displaced populations. The World Food Programme assisted 14,762 people in April and 13,839 in May, transferring USD 988,900 in cash assistance, though the programme requires USD 5 million over the next six months (WFP). Climate-related challenges compound food security concerns, with water scarcity and climate change threatening agricultural production in southern Iraq, prompting FAO-supported climate-smart irrigation and mechanized rice transplanting initiatives. Health risks persist, with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever cases increasing seasonally during late spring and early summer, primarily affecting populations exposed to infected livestock and ticks (IFRC, Iraqi Red Crescent). Livelihoods programming continues in IDP-hosting areas, with UNIDO delivering thirteen-day technology skills training to 25 young women and men from IDP and host communities in Duhok Governorate. The operational environment reflects both protection risks linked to regional instability and sustained efforts to build resilience among vulnerable populations. Economic disruptions associated with regional tensions further strain response capacity, while the concentration of displaced populations in the Kurdistan Region heightens exposure to cross-border security incidents. WFP's funding gap and continued reliance on external support underscore resource constraints facing the humanitarian response.