The Iraq war has produced one of the largest and most overlooked humanitarian crises of our time. Approximately four million Iraqi people have been uprooted by the violence that has engulfed the country. As many as 450,000 have sought refuge in Jordan and most of them are growing more desperate every day.

The majority of Iraqi refugees in Jordan overstayed their visas and live in fear of deportation. In an effort to remain invisible, they largely confine themselves to the crowded and decaying apartments where they have settled in the poorest urban neighborhoods. They are becoming increasingly impoverished, as they are unable to work legally, are running out of savings and can't afford the high cost of living. Jordan has little means to accommodate the newcomers, especially when it comes to health and education services, so the Iraqis are increasingly dependent on humanitarian assistance. They face a precarious and uncertain future--having no legal status in Jordan, unable to return home anytime soon amid ongoing violence, and with little chance of resettlement elsewhere.

The International Rescue Committee began relief operations in Jordan in 2007 for thousands of at-risk and underserved Iraqi refugees and the communities hosting them. Partnering with three international organizations - Care, the Near East Foundation and QuestScope - the IRC has designed programs to ensure the most vulnerable get needed assistance.

How We Help?

The IRC and its partners are working in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa - the cities most densely populated by Iraqi refugees. An IRC-supported center in Amman provides cash assistance, counseling, and referrals to medical and other services. In Zarqa, IRC is working with partners to provide needed household items and social services. In Amman and surrounding areas, IRC-supported education programs help Iraqi children who have fallen behind in their schooling by providing catch-up classes and preparing them to re-enter the school system. Youth programs teach practical trades and provide recreational programs. IRC is also setting up training programs and counseling services to prevent violence against women and girls.

The IRC is supporting more than a dozen local community groups that provide similar outreach services and aim to bring together and improve relations between the overwhelmed host community and Iraqi refugees. The IRC also provides humanitarian aid for displaced people inside Iraq and Syria.