Addressing the Iraqi Refugee Crisis in Syria

Mercy Corps is providing assistance to Iraqi refugees in Syria to promote their future well-being, whether they return to Iraq or are resettled elsewhere. Our programs strengthen the capacity of local institutions to effectively support the Iraqi population in Syria and also address the needs of vulnerable Syrians.

Assisting Iraqi and Syrian families and youth
Since 2003, Iraqis have fled to Syria to escape war. The exact number of Iraqis living in Syria is unknown, but the needs of Iraqis in Syria are high and increasing, as many have depleted their savings or are relying solely on remittances. Mercy Corps established an office in Damascus in February 2008, after registering with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and since then has been providing Iraqis living in Syria and vulnerable Syrians with in-demand specialized technical and vocational training, as well as awareness building on health, gender-based violence and other issues. Projects target the most vulnerable: youth who have dropped out of formal schooling, poor women and girls who are also victims of domestic violence and abuse, and people with disabilities, among others.

Current initiatives:

• Train Iraqi and Syrian youth so they can attain their International Computers Driving License (ICDL), an internationally recognized computer certification. With funding from the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, Mercy Corps and its partners are establishing teaching centers in neighborhoods with high concentrations of Iraqi refugees.
• Provide vocational courses and certification to Iraqi and Syrian youth. Courses include: mechanics, hairdressing, English language, computer repair and other technical courses valued in the labor market.

Through these courses, Mercy Corps aims to empower Iraqi refugees and disadvantaged Syrians and increase their chances for finding meaningful employment.