A new United Nations report has revealed that more than 511,000 displaced persons and refugees are currently residing in Erbil and Duhok provinces, with the majority living outside formal camps. The findings, part of the UN’s quarterly assessment, highlight the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the Kurdistan Region amid continued displacement and economic strain.

Mass Displacement and Integration Challenges

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of December 2024, over 36,000 displaced individuals—mostly Yazidis—have left formal camps in Erbil and Duhok. Additionally, the report states that 242,000 refugees, primarily from Syria, are residing in these two governorates. Notably, 70% of this refugee population consists of women and children, underscoring their vulnerability.

Erbil: Urban Integration of Displaced Persons

Erbil province currently hosts around 230,000 displaced persons, with the vast majority—215,000—residing outside formal camps. Only 11,000 individuals remain in six designated camps. Over the past year, 6,600 displaced individuals have left the camps, opting for urban and peri-urban settlements due to deteriorating conditions in formal sites.

Duhok: The Yazidi Displacement Crisis

Duhok province remains a focal point of displacement, hosting more than 281,000 displaced individuals. Despite the existence of 14 camps that accommodate approximately 98,000 people, a significant 65% of Duhok’s displaced population—predominantly Yazidis—live outside these facilities.

Between January and December 2024, 30,000 displaced persons left the camps in Duhok, settling in areas such as Amedi, Sheikhan, Akre, Semel, and Zakho. The exodus reflects both a desire for reintegration into host communities and worsening conditions in the camps.

Humanitarian Response and Growing Challenges

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has continued to provide essential services to displaced communities despite financial and logistical constraints. However, the increasing number of displaced persons living outside camps has created additional challenges in housing, employment, education, and healthcare access.

Aid organizations emphasize the need for sustainable solutions, including livelihood programs and durable housing, to support long-term integration. However, funding shortfalls in the international humanitarian sector have complicated efforts to assist displaced populations. UN agencies and local authorities are urging donor countries to renew financial commitments to sustain essential services such as food distribution, medical care, and education for displaced children.

The Road Ahead

The prolonged presence of large displaced populations in Erbil and Duhok underscores the ongoing displacement crisis in Iraq. With many areas of origin still unstable, return prospects for displaced individuals, particularly Yazidis, remain uncertain.

As humanitarian organizations navigate funding and logistical constraints, policymakers must prioritize long-term strategies to ensure the stability and well-being of displaced communities, whether through reintegration or resettlement efforts. The coming months will be critical in determining whether these populations receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives or face prolonged hardship amid dwindling international assistance.