Catholic Relief Services (Iraq)

Since January 2014, escalating violence in northern and central Iraq has caused devastation and mass displacement of Iraqis and further displacement of Syrian refugees. The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and greater Syria (ISIS) has taken control of large swaths of the Ninewa, Salah Al-Din and Diyala provinces and continues to threaten religious minorities, including Christians, Shia Muslims and Turkmen who have been singled out for attack.

CRS established offices in Dohuk and Erbil shortly after the exodus began, working with Caritas Iraq and the local Catholic Church to help meet the needs of the displaced, particularly the Christian and Yazidi religious minorities targeted by the Islamic State. Through funding from the U.S. government, Caritas Internationalis and other public donors, private donations and foundations, CRS is providing basic needs: household items in preparation for the winter, shelter upgrades and winterization materials, and services to improve water and sanitation conditions.