Year: 2025

The UNHCR Cash Assistance Programme for the most vulnerable refugees will come to an end on 31 December 2025 due to current funding constraints, and no additional resources are available at this time.

UNHCR continues to actively advocate and fundraise for this programme, with the hope of securing resources to reinstate assistance in the future. Should new funding become available, refugees will be informed immediately through our usual communication channels.
Due to funding shortages, UNHCR is unable to continue providing monthly cash assistance beyond December 2025.

All refugees currently supported by the cash programme have already been informed of this change through SMS and phone calls. We understand that this support has been important for your household, and we appreciate your understanding during this transition.
If additional funding becomes available in 2026, UNHCR will review the programme and inform refugees immediately through SMS, phone calls, and community channels. Please ensure your contact details are up to date so you can receive future notifications.

You may continue to contact UNHCR through the Helpline at ?0662330304 for information on available services, including protection and legal assistance. While the cash assistance programme is ending, other services and protection support remain available.

We thank you for your cooperation throughout the programme. We understand that this change may be difficult, and UNHCR remains committed to supporting refugees through available services and protection assistance.

? Stay informed. Use official channels. All UNHCR services are free of charge.

• Visit the UNHCR Help Iraq website for updated and verified information
• Subscribe to UNHCR’s WhatsApp broadcast to receive the latest updates directly on your phone
• Follow Yalla Sawa Facebook Page.

Over the past several years, UNHCR has been collecting information from Syrian Refugees in the region on their intention to return and their socio-economic status. This information helps UNHCR understand refugees’ plans for their future and to align our programing with the priorities and intentions of refugees, whether this is in Iraq or Syria.

NAMA, a survey company based in Jordan, will contact some of you from November 3 to December 10, 2025, on behalf of UNHCR. A random selection of individuals will be called on the phone to answer the questions; if you have been randomly selected to participate,

You will receive a phone call from this  Jordanian number ? +962 79 280 1111

We appreciate the communities vigilance and further appreciate that you as ask the identity of the caller to verify that they are from NAMA. Remain vigilant to a call from unknown sources.

The information collected during this survey is presented anonymously and the participation is on a voluntary basis. It is not compulsory to respond.

Participation in these intention surveys is not related to humanitarian assistance provided in your country of residence and does not affect refugees’ eligibility to receive assistance and services.

⚠️Please note that all UNHCR services are free of charge.

Read more on UNRWA’s official channels, links below ⬇️

1.            UNRWA Website English: https://www.unrwa.org/resources/fact-sheet/information-unrwa-services-available-palestine-refugees-returning-syria

2.            UNRWA Website Arabic |معلومات حول خدمات الاونروا المتاحة للاجئي فلسطين العائدين من النزوح بسبب أزمة سوريا | الأونروا

3.            UNRWA Facebook Arabic page: https://www.facebook.com/unrwaNewsPage/posts/pfbid0fmvDFiqURXBjU8cDBqGifD5wfDhafAPfLjUXtLfUotXy5QNTR16V591NrdXML43Bl?rdid=S4tBWJb7CxmpcCDJ#  

4.            UNRWA WhatsApp Arabic Channel: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaj7hbWADTOAryn6RZ1T

UNHCR has phased out from parallel services through partnership with NGOs:

1. Prevention of and response to violence against women, boys, girls, and men.
2. Child Protection
3. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

Prevention of and response to violence against women, boys, girls, and men:

• KR-I: Call ?119 for protection concerns. For family and child-related support, including psychosocial help, call ?116.
• You may also approach DCVAW centers or DoLSA offices for support in your governorates.
• South and Centre governorates: Call ?911.

Child Protection

• KR-I: Call ?116 (Child Protection Hotline) or visit Child Protection Centers under the Department of Labour and Social Affairs (DoLSA).
• South and Centre governorates: Call ?911.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

• KR-I: Call ?122 (Mental Health Hotline) or approach general hospitals and primary healthcare centers in your area.
• South and Centre governorates: Call ?911 or visit your nearest public health facility for mental health support.

Stay Informed. Follow the official channels.

• Visit the UNHCR Help Website 
• Follow our WhatsApp channel 
• Follow Yalla Sawa Facebook page
• Visit the Laaha platform, supported by UNICEF, to access trusted information on health, safety, and support for women and girls.

To help you access the right services, petition your feedback and complaint, and receive timely responses, UNHCR has launched a new unified helpline for both its cash assistance and general protection services. This helpline will:

• Give you accurate and up-to-date information on UNHCR and UNHCR partners’ services
• Help you link with the available government services
• Connect you to the CBI call center if you have problems with your Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA)
• Offer general protection support for urgent needs and refer you to available services
• Provide information on return procedures for those who wish to return to Syria.
• Receive your reports of fraud, corruption, and misconduct.

Call 0662330304 available

?From Sunday to Wednesday ?8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

?On Thursdays ?8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

⚠️All calls are confidential

Emergency Contact

If you have urgent issues such as eviction, arrest, detention, or refoulement, please contact UNHCR’s Legal Partner immediately.

Duhok – Harikar NGO ? 07507336297

Erbril – INTERSOS? 07510313071

Sulaymaniyah – INTERSOS ? 8001022

Center and South Governorates – IRC ? 80095050

Kirkuk – IRC ? 80095050

Mosul – IRC ? 80095050

UNHCR has useful tools to help you find services on your own:

• Visit the UNHCR Help Iraq website for updated and verified information
• Subscribe to UNHCR’s WhatsApp broadcast to receive the latest updates directly on your phone
• Follow Yalla Sawa Facebook Page.

? Stay informed. Use official channels. All UNHCR services are free of charge.

What’s Happening?

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued a special instruction giving all Syrians 60 working days (starting June 15, 2025) to fix their residency status in the Kurdistan Region without paying fines.

Why Is This Important?

This is a one-time opportunity to legalize your stay or return home safely without paying fines. Please do not wait. Act now to protect yourself and your family.

The final date of this waiver period is
8 September 2025.

All those who apply before the final date will be processed by the Residency Departments without paying fines.

What Can You Do?

If you would like to regularize your stay in the Kurdistan Region, by acquiring a new residency or extend your expired residency permit, please visit the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah.

For those seeking to return to Syria and want to regularize their overstay fines, please visit the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah.

For more information about the instruction, please follow the links below:

➡️In Arabic

➡️In Kurdish

You may also see the news media coverage of the waiver ➡️here

If you need assistance contact UNHCR’s legal partners for free advice and support:

Share this information with your family and friends.

All services provided by UNHCR and Partners are Free of Charge.

Questions and Answers:

Q: Who does this apply to?⬇️

A: All Syrians in the Kurdistan Region without a valid residency permit, or whose permit has expired, and those willing to return to Syria, regardless of their status with residency.

Q: What is the deadline?⬇️

A: You have 60 working days starting June 15, 2025.

Q: What happens if I want to stay?⬇️

A: Go to your local Residency Department and renew or apply for your residency. No fine if done within the 60-day window.

Q: What if I want to go back to Syria?⬇️

A: You can go to the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah and follow the instructions of the authorities. You will not pay fines if you have overstayed your residency or never acquired one prior.

Failure to acquire, renew or extend your residency and traveling outside of KRI can lead to serious risk including arrest, detention or deportation. 

This channel will provide trusted and up-to-date information for refugees and asylum-seekers in Iraq. You’ll receive updates from UNHCR on:
?️ UNHCR news and announcements.
? Services and support available
⚖️ Protection and legal guidance.

Your Privacy Matters

This is a one-way channel — your name and phone number are not visible to other followers.
UNHCR does not process your personal data through this channel.
WhatsApp collects and processes data as part of its platform use, as with any WhatsApp communication.

How to join? ⬇️

1. Make sure you have WhatsApp installed on your phone.
2. Click on this link ➡️‎UNHCR Iraq – المفوضية في العراق‎ | WhatsApp Channel
3. Tap “Follow” on the channel page to start receiving updates.

Stay informed.
⚠️ All UNHCR and Partner services are free of charge!

Over the past several years, UNHCR has been collecting information from Syrian Refugees in the region on their intention to return and their socio-economic status. This information helps UNHCR understand refugees’ plans for their future and to align our programing with the priorities and intentions of refugees, whether this is in Iraq or Syria.

NAMA, a survey company based in Jordan, will contact some of you from May 26 and throughout June 2025 on behalf of UNHCR. A random selection of individuals will be called on the phone to answer the questions; if you have been randomly selected to participate,

You will receive a phone call from this  Jordanian number ? +962793031619.

We appreciate the communities vigilance and further appreciate that you as ask the identity of the caller to verify that they are from NAMA. Remain vigilant to a call from unknown sources.

The information collected during this survey is presented anonymously and the participation is on a voluntary basis. It is not compulsory to respond.

Participation in these intention surveys is not related to humanitarian assistance provided in your country of residence and does not affect refugees’ eligibility to receive assistance and services.

⚠️Please note that all UNHCR services are free of charge.

Calling on all DAFI students and alumni!

The UNHCR-DAFI programme team is conducting a global survey to better understand your journey, both during and after the DAFI programme, including continuing studies, employment, internships, volunteering, entrepreneurship, leadership, and community engagement. By responding to this survey, you will help us strengthen support for DAFI students and align the programme more closely with real-world challenges, opportunities and needs. 

▶️Watch this video message from DAFI students and alumni to learn more about the survey and how your voice can help shape the future of DAFI

?To participate in the survey, please check your email for a custom link. If you did not receive one and would like to participate, email us at [email protected] to request your link to the survey.

?️ Deadline: 25 April 2025
⏱️ Takes about 20 minutes
✅ Participation is voluntary

Your voice matters. Help shape the future of refugee higher education.

UNHCR will use a new number to contact refugees.

Calls to schedule registration and resettlement interviews with you will be made on

?0066 233 0303

You cannot call this number.

⚠️All services provided by UNHCR, and Partners are free of charge!
If you have witnessed fraud or corruption, or if you have been asked for money or anything else in exchange for UNHCR services, please report to: [email protected]