Iraq hosts a total of 242,163 Syrian refugees, 99% of whom reside in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). In general, the KR-I is welcoming and accommodating to Syrian refugees in terms of access to the territory, basic services, and documentation, resulting in a favorable protection environment. By the end of 2020, almost 95,000 Syrian refugees were residing in the camps, which represents 39% of Syrian refugees registered in Iraq.
Camp administration remains the responsibility of the KR-I authorities. In 2020, the MoI of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) issued a decision to streamline camp management and administration under the direct supervision of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCCC), an integral part of the MoI.
UNHCR in partnership with JCCC, managed 10 refugee camps in the KR-I (Erbil, Duhok and Sulaymaniyah governorates). UNHCR ensured that camp management staff, roles and responsibilities were defined and implemented. UNHCR co-chaired the monthly camp coordination meetings held with all stakeholders. The meetings were an important platform to better understand the needs of the population and created an enabling environment for organizations to share and coordinate their monthly plans and activities. Camp coordination meetings gained importance as some organizations began to reduce or cease activities, creating gaps that required better coordination. UNHCR supported camp management authorities to maintain law and order in the camps and maintain the civilian character of camps. Camp management partners were also responsible for monitoring and reporting on the delivery of adequate humanitarian assistance, implementing fire prevention, and managing community infrastructure including distribution centres.
As part of accountability to affected populations, UNHCR ensured refugees' active participation in the development of projects and the implementation of services through focus group discussions and a participatory approach, while ensuring adherence to UNHCR's age, gender and diversity mainstreaming approach to community engagement and consultations. Camp management partners further supported UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations with the implementation of mass communication and awareness raising campaigns. UNHCR and partners-maintained community-based complaints and feedback mechanisms in all refugee camps.
UNHCR and JCCC upheld the continuation of camp management services during the COVID-19 related lockdown and movement restrictions, with camp managers playing a significant role in coordinating and supporting the provision of services to camp population during the lockdown.