Canadian Red Cross

Published purpose

September 2014 - The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. The recent surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has already displaced an estimated 1.7 million people from their homes and continues to drive displacement. Basic services, including health care and water infrastructure, are disrupted, resulting in acute humanitarian needs. Iraqi Kurdistan is also hosting 215,000 Syrian refugees, which is placing a great strain on local infrastructure. The situation is expected to deteriorate as fighting and human rights violations persist. In response to the crisis, DFATD is deploying emergency relief items from its stockpile, managed by the Canadian Red Cross, to meet the immediate needs of approximately 40,000 conflict-affected people. The relief items are being provided to Save the Children Canada and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who will distribute the items to those who are most in need, in coordination with the Government of Iraq and the wider humanitarian community. The relief items include: (1) tents and tarpaulins to help provide temporary shelter; and (2) basic household items such as blankets, kitchen sets, and hygiene kits (which include items such as soap and toothbrushes), as well as jerry cans and buckets to safely transport water.