Supporting Syrian refugees in Iraq

The challenges of winter in Northern Iraq continue making lives harder for the Syrian refugees living in camps. Some 18,000 people have arrived in refugee camps in northern Iraq since October. To escape the violence that has destroyed countless homes and lives, Syrian families take a dangerous journey to safety in northern Iraq. But for many, the struggle continues in the camps. Though they have escaped the bombs, they still want for immediate necessities like medicine, hygiene kits, blankets, and a source of income.

Peace Winds is adapting to changing circumstances in northern Iraq and is responding to the most pressing need as the lead implementing partner of the United Nations: providing shelter to the newly arriving refugees. Since October, Peace Winds has prepared shelter sites, installed more than 3,000 temporary tent shelters, and connected them to water and electricity. As the temperature drops, Peace Winds is also providing kerosene for heating homes and addressing other needs as they arise. 

As CEO Wayne Nissly says, “In the fragile settings we work, every day brings new opportunities and fresh challenges. We work alongside community members to restore livelihoods, empowering the most vulnerable to create enduring pathways to stability.”

Northern Iraq has long been home to refugees and Peace Winds has served here for more than twenty years. We’re proud to have your support and prouder still of what it has meant to displaced Syrians in northern Iraq this year. Responding to this crisis, in 2019, Peace Winds has:

• upgraded 801 tents and other structures into semi-permanent shelters, with funding from the U.S. Government, Department of State; 
• generated short-term income for 2,345 refugee laborers through a Cash for Work program as part of the U.S. Government project; 
• installed more than 3,000 tents for newly arriving refugees; and
• provided kerosene to help keep residents warm in the approaching winter

Peace Winds is also focused on helping to address the need for livelihoods and income generation, particularly for women. We have begun a new partnership with a local organization in Kurdistan, the Judy Organization for Relief and Development (JORD) to train women to sew, use sewing machines, and use their skills to generate income. Donations made through GlobalGiving have helped fund this training and to provide sewing machines to the women who participate.