In northern Iraq, the exodus of people continues amid the unabated fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups. It is estimated that some 650,000 people have fled their homes since the fall of Mosul city to the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant on June 9.
The situation has prompted the United Nations to revise its 2014 funding requirements for Iraq. From $103.7 million, it said it now needs $312.1 million to help 1 million people through December.
“Iraq is now contending with one of the largest internally displaced populations in the world,” according to the revised 2014 U.N. strategic response plan for Iraq.
On the ground, U.N. agencies are partnering with several groups to deliver aid to the displaced, such as in setting up the Khazir camp, a temporary site for internally displaced persons in the Ninewa governorate. A permanent camp is expected to be put up in Khazir.
Below are some international aid nongovernmental organizations that are now responding to the crisis in Iraq.
Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development
As of June 25, ACTED teams had distributed 1,367 mattresses, 1,329 blankets, 362 hygiene kits, 660 water jerry cans, 340 food packages, as well as plastic sheets, trash bins, pillows, water coolers, kerosene for cooking and jerry cans for kerosene in the Khazir transit camp. Click here to help
Christian Aid has disbursed 100,000 pounds ($170,000) to help its partners on the ground respond to the crisis quickly. It has launched an appeal so it can bring food, water and other essentials to 50,000 displaced Iraqis. Click here to help
Within the camps, Handicap International is assessing the needs of those with disabilities and injuries. It expects to provide direct aid to about 1,500 people and their families within the next three months. Click here to help
International Committee of the Red Cross
ICRC has been distributing food rations to people displaced in Mosul and other areas of Iraq. It has also installed water tanks and its doctors have attended to people in Khanaqin as well as completed the repair of a primary health care center and a water pumping station in the city of Ramadi. Click here to help
The International Medical Corps plans to set up mobile medical units in the Garmawa and Khazir camps. It is partnering with Relief International to provide services, mental health support and counseling to gender-based violence survivors. Click here to help
Through its $200,000 emergency operation, Islamic Relief supports families seeking safety in the Khazir camp, providing food packages containing bread, cheese, meat, canned vegetables and other staples as well as bottled water, blankets, mattresses and pillows. Click here to help
NRC offers water, sanitation and hygiene services in the Khazir transit camp. Click here to help
A team of seven experts from Oxfam have flown to Iraq to set up an aid program catering to those who fled the violence, to be initially based in Erbil. Click here to help
Concentrating on Erbil and the Dohuk-Ninewa border, RI said it is mobilizing teams of experts to carry out community outreach and messaging on proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of disease as well as providing potable water, essential nonfood items and garbage collection service to the displaced. It plans to deploy protection workers who will refer those in need of mental health support to mobile medical units operated by RI partners, map relevant services available to victims of gender-based violence and distribute women's dignity kits. Click here to help
Its immediate priority is to distribute water, food and hygiene kits to people who have fled Mosul in coordination with local authorities and other organizations on the ground. Click here to help
ShelterBox
ShelterBox has deployed a team in Kurdistan to determine how it can support the humanitarian efforts there and provide shelter to displaced Iraqis. Click here to help
What are other international aid organizations you know of are doing crisis response to Iraq? Leave your comment below.
About the author
Ma. Eliza VillarinoDevexElizaJV
Eliza is a veteran journalist focused on covering the most pressing issues and latest innovations in global health, humanitarian aid, sustainability, and development. A member of Mensa, Eliza has earned a master's degree in public affairs and bachelor's degree in political science from the University of the Philippines.