Iraq - Joint Rapid Needs Assessment of Syrians in the Kurdish Region

Following consultations between members of the United Nations Country Team and partners, it was agreed to jointly carry out a rapid needs assessment of the Syrian population in Iraq with the following goals:

1. To obtain a holistic overview of the situation of Syrians in Iraq.

2. To identify the humanitarian needs of Syrians and prioritise them.

3. To understand the coping mechanisms of Syrians in Iraq.

4. To provide a framework for immediate relief interventions.

For this purpose, a Task Force was convened by UNHCR consisting of UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, IOM and partners IRC, People in Need, ACTED and Save the Children (SC). The Task Force agreed on methodology (Participatory Assessment), sectors (coping strategies, income and expenditure, food security, health and reproductive health, education and protection) and geographical coverage (three governorates and the Domiz Camp) of the needs assessment with UNHCR leading coordination and WFP providing technical assistance.

The participatory assessment methodology consisted of 72 focus group interviews, which were conducted with over 500 persons of concern (POCs) divided by age (youth, adult and elderly) and gender, as well as interviews with key informants, i.e. individuals close to the community such as government officials, health service providers, teachers etc.