Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has signed a new agreement with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) worth over $8.5 million.

This money will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people in Iraq, with particular focus on emergency shelters for returnees. Since 2003, approximately 5 million Iraqis have fled their homes, 500,000 of whom have returned.

Islamic Relief plans to provide food, water and shelter as well as healthcare, hygiene and education for thousands of vulnerable people in the war-torn country. The agreement will also enable Islamic Relief to further assist foreign refugees living in al-Waleed camp.

Located on the Syrian border, al-Waleed camp is managed by Islamic Relief and houses around 1,500 non-Iraqi refugees. Conditions in the camp are harsh, with extreme temperature variations; residents also face restrictions on their movement and an uncertain legal status.

Islamic Relief’s Iraq Programme Manager, Dr Salah Daak, said “We are very grateful to the UNHCR and Islamic Relief staff, whose hard work and dedication will allow us to help the most vulnerable people in Iraq.”

IRW began working in Iraq in 1996 and established a field office in 2003. Islamic Relief was on the ground throughout the military incursions and is one of the few aid agencies that continued working during and after the war.

For more information please contact Ruqaya Izzidien: 0044 121 622 0719 or 07855 499 645 Ruqaya.izzidien@irworldwide.org

ENDS

Note to Editors

1. Islamic Relief’s UNHCR-funded projects will be taking place throughout 2010.
2. Islamic Relief Iraq is currently coordinating al-Waleed camp for non-Iraqi refugees.
3. Of the 5 million displaced Iraqis, about 1.5 million were made homeless post-2006
4. 2.7 million of the 5 million are displaced internally and 2.5 million are refugees abroad.
5. Islamic Relief is an international aid agency with its headquarters in Birmingham, UK. We work in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East and Eastern Europe responding to emergencies and supporting sustainable development with vulnerable communities.
6. Click here to find out more about Islamic Relief in Iraq