It is estimated by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) that more than 4.7 million Iraqis have been forced to flee their homes since 2003. 2.7 million are displaced within Iraq, unable to return home because of violence and also now facing rapidly rising food and fuel prices to compound their situation.

The International Rescue Committee, which first worked extensively throughout Iraq from 2003 until 2005 until insecurity forced programme closure, reopened operations in November 2007 with an office in the northern city of Erbil.

Since returning, the IRC has constructed classrooms, distributed winter supplies in cooperation with the Iraq Relief Organization, provided capacity-building training to six Iraqi NGOs and supported the NGO Coordinating Committee for Iraq.

Based on recent assessments, the IRC is preparing to greatly expand its community-based capacity building programmes throughout Iraq to address education, environmental health and community recovery needs.

All programmes in Iraq continue to promote civil society and protection of vulnerable persons.