UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

Five years after the outbreak of the war in Iraq, the humanitarian situation remains critical. The internal armed conflict persisted throughout 2007 amid a general climate of violence, particularly in central and southern parts of Iraq, resulting in large-scale population displacements. As a result of the conflict, millions of Iraqis have inadequate access to clean water, sanitation and health care. In 2008, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) focuses on providing essential assistance in the areas of shelter, non-food items, and camp management services; monitoring refugee and IDP returns and providing initial reintegration assistance; establishing Protection and Assistance Centres nationwide, including mobile units to deliver legal aid and undertake protection-related activities and advocacy; and supporting the Government of Iraq's establishment of a comprehensive framework on IDPs, as well as a long-term Return Framework, and strengthen governorate-level emergency assistance units.