After years of conflict, Iraq is in a fragile period of recovery. While large-scale violence has ended, the effects of conflict continue to shape daily life for millions of people. Families who were forced to flee are working to rebuild, often in communities where homes, schools, and infrastructure remain damaged or incomplete.
Today, approximately 1 million people in Iraq still need humanitarian assistance — especially children and families affected by displacement, poverty, and limited access to essential services. Ongoing challenges such as water shortages, economic instability, and the long-term impacts of conflict continue to make recovery difficult.
FAQs: What you need to know about humanitarian needs in Iraq
Explore facts and frequently asked questions about the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, and learn how you can help Iraqis in need:
- Fast facts: Iraq conflict
- Why did Iraqis flee from their homes?
- How has the Iraq conflict affected children?
- What are the greatest needs of those displaced in Iraq?
- What is World Vision doing to help?
- How can I help Iraqis and Syrians in need?
Fast facts: Iraq conflict
- About 1 million people in Iraq need humanitarian assistance, including many children.
- Around 1 million Iraqis remain internally displaced, often unable to return home.
- Approximately 260,000 Syrian refugees live in Iraq, mostly in the Kurdistan Region.
- Hundreds of thousands of children remain out of school, especially in conflict-affected areas.
- Weather changes, water shortages, and economic instability are placing growing pressure on vulnerable communities.
Help provide emergency aid to children and families displaced in Iraq.
Why did Iraqis flee from their homes?
Large-scale displacement in Iraq began in 2014 when the Islamic State group seized territory in northern and western Iraq. Cities like Mosul and Tikrit fell rapidly, and violence was directed against civilians, particularly religious and ethnic minorities such as Christians and Yazidis. Millions of people fled to escape the violence, persecution, and destruction.
How many Iraqis were displaced?
At the height of the conflict, about 6 million Iraqis were displaced within the country. Many sought shelter in camps, informal settlements, or host communities, particularly in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
How has the Iraq conflict affected children?
Children and families have suffered from targeted violence as well as indiscriminate attacks. The communities they had built and enjoyed have been destroyed.
Many children were forced to flee with only the clothes they had on. They’re out of school and vulnerable to violence and health issues due to unstable and unhygienic living conditions.
As families who escaped ISIL-occupied Mosul arrived at camps in 2016, World Vision staff members were horrified at the condition of children who had lived through atrocities and sectarian violence, and who carried deep psychological scars.
What are the greatest needs of those displaced in Iraq?
Although Iraq is no longer in active conflict, many families continue to struggle to meet their basic needs. Key needs include:
- Food security and livelihoods: Many families lack a stable income and struggle to afford basic necessities
- Clean water and sanitation: Water scarcity and damaged infrastructure affect access to safe water
- Healthcare: Vulnerable populations face barriers to accessing essential health services
- Education: Children need safe schools, supplies, and support to return to learning
- Child protection and mental health support: Many children and families continue to cope with trauma
Extreme weather challenges are also intensifying needs, with rising temperatures, drought, and water shortages affecting agriculture and livelihoods.
What is World Vision doing to help?
World Vision’s work in Iraq started in the 1990s and continues to support vulnerable children and families through both emergency relief and long-term recovery programs. Our work includes:
- Providing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene support
- Supporting food security and livelihoods, including job training and small business support
- Expanding access to education, including helping children return to school
- Delivering child protection and psychosocial support for children affected by conflict
- Assisting displaced families and returnees as they rebuild their lives
In 2025, World Vision supported over 1.3 million people, helping families improve livelihoods, access clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, protect children., and more. World Vision remains committed to helping communities move from crisis toward stability and resilience.
How can I help Iraqis and Syrians in need?
You can help bring hope and healing to people displaced by violence in Iraq:
- Pray for children, families, and humanitarian aid staff who are working to recover and rebuild in Iraq.
- Give to World Vision’s Refugee Children’s Crisis Fund to help meet the most urgent needs of Iraqi and Syrian children.
Chris Huber and Sevil Omer of World Vision’s staff in the U.S. contributed to this article.
