Baghdad 8 January 2019 – The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes a new contribution of US$ 2.5 million from the US Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) to support health services for Syrian refugees living in Iraq.

Almost 250 000 Syrian refugees are currently living in the three governorates of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) - Erbil, Dahuk, and Sulaymaniyah. The majority (64%) live within host communities.

“There is an urgent need to support local health authorities in KRI and ensure Syrian refugees have access to adequate health services,” said Dr Adham Ismail, Acting WHO Representative in Iraq.

“Providing comprehensive primary, secondary, referral and outbreak prevention and response services in the three governorates is a priority for WHO to protect Syrian refugees and Iraqi host communities against potential public health emergencies.”

BPRM’s contribution of US$ 2.5 million will support the provision of comprehensive primary health care and referral services for 300 000 Syrian refugees and host communities in KRI. It will also support healthcare services for the disabled and mentally ill patients in the same areas through a comprehensive training programme for national professionals working in the mental health area.

The contribution will also cover the procurement and distribution of essential medicines, medical supplies and equipment to select health facilities serving refugees in target governorates.

For more information, please contact:

Ajyal Sultany
WHO Communications Officer
(+964) 7740 892 878, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pauline Ajello
WHO Communications Officer
(+964) 7510101460, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Holly Wilkerson
Program Officer – Iraq
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it