Iraq needs $1.56 billion for humanitarian response to ISIS in 2016

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been forced to flee their homes amid the ongoing war against Islamic State.

Iraq needs $1.56 billion this year to finance its emergency response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war against Islamic State, according to a government report released on Sunday.

Baghdad, strapped for cash amid a plunge in oil prices and higher military expenditure associated with the fight against the Sunni jihadist group, will manage to fund less than 43 percent of those needs from its budget, the report said.

"The international community is necessary for bridging the deficit or financing gap," it added.

The conflict has displaced more than 3.3 million people since 2014. The Iraqi government allocated around $850 million last year for efforts to shelter such families and help them return to recaptured areas, but it ended up funding less than 60 percent of that, the report showed.

Islamic State seized about a third of Iraq's territory in the north and west in 2014, but has slowly been pushed back by Iraqi forces, Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias and Kurdish peshmerga fighters - backed by US-led coalition air strikes.

Most of the displaced people, living in makeshift camps, disused buildings and homes in Baghdad, the northern Kurdistan region and other areas, are from Iraq's Sunni minority.

related articles
Bishops' Middle East tour highlights plight of Iraqi refugees

Bishops' Middle East tour highlights plight of Iraqi refugees

Open Doors: Syria and Iraq are 'the tip of the iceberg' – there has never been a worse time to be a Christian

Open Doors: Syria and Iraq are 'the tip of the iceberg' – there has never been a worse time to be a Christian

Islamic State bulldozes oldest monastery in Iraq
Islamic State bulldozes oldest monastery in Iraq

Islamic State bulldozes oldest monastery in Iraq

120,000 people are starving in Syrian city besieged by ISIS
120,000 people are starving in Syrian city besieged by ISIS

120,000 people are starving in Syrian city besieged by ISIS

Syrian opposition to go to Geneva as peace talks open
Syrian opposition to go to Geneva as peace talks open

Syrian opposition to go to Geneva as peace talks open

News
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest

Of the eight children murdered during lockdown, 7 were killed thanks to the actions of a step parent or new partner.

Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year
Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.