Help Iraq / 2024

Year: 2024

Iraq Nationwide Census

November 17, 2024

    As you are aware, government officials will be conducting a countrywide census, aiming to gather accurate data on everyone in Iraq. Refugees and asylum seekers are included in the census.

    Your participation is important.

    • Here’s what to know:

    Curfew Details: A curfew will be in effect from midnight, November 19th until November 21st to facilitate the census. Refugees and asylum seekers are reminded to follow the government’s instructions.

    Access to Services: Authorized personnel will continue to assist where needed, so essential services will remain available during the curfew.

    Your Cooperation: We kindly urge you to cooperate and support the census team by providing relevant information and documentation when requested.

    For more information watch the video below

    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1573472653606822&rdid=NkJm93cXasn9WFYE

    StartMashreq Roadshow – Empowering Refugee Entrepreneurs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

    October 28, 2024

      The StartMashreq Roadshow is an opportunity for aspiring refugee entrepreneurs and startups in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) to access essential resources, networking opportunities, and expert insights. This online event is organized by IFC in partnership with Flat6Labs and UNHCR, in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk.

      Applicant Criteria:

      • Age: 18 – 40
      • Gender: Males and Females (female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply)
      • Location: Currently living in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk.
      • Profile: refugee and asylum seeker entrepreneurs and students, Forcibly Displaced Persons.

      Interest Areas:

      • Entrepreneurship
      • Small Business
      • Technology
      • Female Entrepreneurship
      • Private Equity & Venture Capital
      • Funding

      Preferred Education Background: but not limited to fields such as Engineering, Computer Science, IT, Business, Finance, Economics, Business Informatics, Technology Management

      Relevant Profiles:

      • Small Business Owners
      • NGO
      • Female Founders
      • Business Page Administrators

      Industries of Focus:

      • Business and Finance
      • IT & Technical Services
      • Healthcare & Medical Services

      Apply Now!

      before November 10, 2024, through the link below.

      https://flat6labs.zoom.us/webinar/register/3817295165298/WN_ClSOwb1vTTWndWg3vE7Uqg

      IMPORTANT NOTE:  Information Accuracy for Children in Syrian Family Booklets

      September 18, 2024

        Following the preparation of area of origin documentation for refugee newborns, families add children’s information to the Syrian family booklet or request their relatives in Syria (or hire agents or lawyers) to prepare the documentation on their behalf. During this process, some children’s information is inaccurately recorded, such as errors in the Dates of Birth (DOB) and, in some cases, errors in the names. As a result, there is an increasing number of cases where the Date of Birth on the passport or family booklet differs from the actual DOB recorded on the birth certificate issued in Iraq and the UNHCR Certificate.

        Implications/consequences of Inaccurate Information

        1. Enrollment of the child in the correct Level of education: While access to education is not directly impacted, incorrect Date of Birth can affect children’s enrolment in the correct grade level in school. This often results in children being enrolled in lower grades than their actual age would qualify them for.
        2. Discrepancy in Biodata information: The inconsistencies lead to discrepancies in biodata information and conflicting identity documents. Families may only address these inconsistencies during Family Reunification embassy appointments, which can create additional complications.

        What to do to avoid the issues

        • Communicate the exact Date of Birth and name of the child as stated on the birth certificate issued in Iraq to the authority, or relatives (or hire agents) when adding the child to the Family booklet in Syria.
        • Ensure your Syrian family booklet reflects the exact Date of Birth and name of the child as stated on the birth certificate issued in Iraq.

        Where to go if you are impacted and want to resolve their biodata

        If your child’s birth certificate document information has inconsistencies with your UNHCR certificate, please immediately request a biodata change through the UNHCR KOBO form. Keep in mind:

        • Depending on the nature of the inconsistencies, in some cases, you may be referred for additional clearances, including from Asayesh.
        • The process varies from one governorate to another. For minor inconsistencies, the UNHCR registration team might assist you in correcting the biodata directly without requiring additional clearances.

        Disengagement from the Protection Desk under INTERSOS – Sulaimanya

        August 13, 2024

          Disengagement from the Protection Desk under INTERSOS in Sulaimanya

          • As of 01 August 2024, protection desks under INTERSOS in all locations will stop new intakes of protection cases.
          • Refugees and asylum-seekers in the KRI can access existing governmental services. Additionally, other UNHCR Protection partners will continue providing services related to child protection, gender-based violence, mental health and psychosocial support, legal protection, and education. Below please see detailed information about the location of each UNHCR partner specialization:
            • For Gender-Based Violence issues like physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, please get in touch with DHRD:
          • DHRD office: Sulaimnaya, Baranan Near to Safra Hyper market.
          • DOLSA in ARC admin area.
          • DHRD in ARC opposite to Derek school
          • For child protection issues, kindly approach the Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC) organization: Barika Iranian Refugee center (0750 803 4759) (close to Arbat Refugee Camp);
          • Cultural and Art Center for Children in Ranya (0750 803 4761);
          • Kaziway Sarra Center in Sulaymaniyah (0775 523 7910);
          • Shorsh Youth Activity Center in Chamchamal (750 803 4753).
          • For mental health and psychosocial support, contact the WCHAN organization: Qalawa – Shekh Muhidin near Ablakh Directorate of Electricity Contact office: 0770 139 7914 or 0772 542 61 29, Arbat Refugee Camp, Reband Namiq, 0750 181 2008.
          • For legal matters such as detention, arrest, deportation, court access, documentation issues, and residency concerns, please approach the INTERSOS legal team:
          • Sulaymaniyah Center:  Warvin Midhat 07719209800; address: Shahid Shawkat Hall—Rizgary New neighborhood near to Rand Gallery
          • Rapareen Administration: Rebaz Ahmad 07725088662.
          • Garmyan Administration: Shilan Jawad 07748111467; 07508034636.

          Please get in touch with Intersos for issues related to Education, such as access to school

          • Suly Center, Tasluja, Raparin, Wluba:       Marya Yasin        07746443815.
          • Ranya, Qaladze, Hajyawa:                           Saiwan Jabar       07708910303.
          • Chamchamal, Bazyan, Bainjan :                   Chawan Ibrahim 07746443826;
          • ARC, Barika:                                                    Haryar Farhad     07701453355
          • Said Sadiq, Halabja, Penjwen :                     Gulan Tofiq          07702438893.
          • For any other concerns, please visit our Information Feedback Points (IFP desks) admin area in ARC for consultation or file your concerns using the Complaint and Feedback Mechanism (CFM boxes). Please note that the CFM boxes are opened once a month, for urgent matters, it is recommended to visit the IFP desk.
          • CFM boxes and IFP: Haydar Rahman Hamsaeed, 07761523581.
          • CFM boxes and IFP: Parwa Yassen:  07508953935. 

          If you have encountered any fraudulent activities or have been asked to pay money or other favors in exchange for UNHCR services, please report the incident to [email protected]  or contact the UNHCR Inspector General’s Office at [email protected] or +41 22 739 8844. You can also file a report online at www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php.

          You can also visit the UNHCR webpage https://help.unhcr.org/iraq for additional information on services provided by UNHCR.

          Exit From School Transportation Programme

          August 6, 2024

            For Refugee Students in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

            UNHCR and its partners (NRC and INTERSOS) will no longer support the refugee students with transportation fees, for the upcoming academic year 2024-2025.

            For more information, download the flyers below.

            Disengagement from the Protection Desk under INTERSOS – Erbil

            August 1, 2024

              • As of 01 August 2024, INTERSOS protection desks will stop new intakes of protection cases but will continue to provide orientation and information services in both camps and urban areas.
              • Refugees and asylum-seekers in the KRI can access existing governmental services. Additionally, other UNHCR Protection partners will continue the provision of services related to child protection, gender-based violence, mental health and psychosocial support, legal protection, and education. Below please see detailed information about locations and each of UNHCR partner specialization:
              • For Gender-Based Violence issues like physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, please contact Al MASALA at the UNHCR registration and protection center in Bahirka. Camp residents should visit the DOLSA office for support.
              • For child protection issues, kindly approach the Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC) organization at the UNHCR registration and protection center in Bahirka for assessment and support.
              • For mental health and psychosocial support, contact the WCHAN organization at the UNHCR registration and protection center in Bahirka.
              • For legal matters such as court access, documentation issues, and residency concerns, please approach the INTERSOS legal team at the UNHCR Protection and Registration center in Bahirka.
              • For any other concerns, please visit our Information Feedback Points (IFP desks) for consultation or file your concerns using the Complaint and Feedback Mechanism (CFM boxes). Please note that the CFM boxes are opened once a month, for urgent matters, it is recommended to visit the IFP desk.

              Kindly note IFP rooms are located at the UNHCR protection and Registration center in Bahirka. For camp residents, IFP rooms are open twice a week.

              If you have encountered any fraudulent activities or have been asked to pay money or other favors in exchange for UNHCR services, please report the incident to [email protected]  or contact the UNHCR Inspector General’s Office at [email protected] or +41 22 739 8844. You can also file a report online at www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php.