Iraq

While nearly 1.18 million individuals remain in need of shelter and NFI support, Humanitarian partners in Iraq have initiated a process to transition the IASC whole-of-system humanitarian coordination structures in Iraq, and the Shelter/NFI cluster is planning for transition with a view to deactivation.

The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) decided to formally end all Clusters by the end of 2022 and not to present an HRP in 2023, but only a light strategic document presenting the remaining humanitarian needs (without funding requirements, not targets) as well as a document on the transition to development interventions. This decision is in line with the UN move towards transferring core humanitarian delivery functions to other structures of leadership (government and development partners).

In the absence of a single-line ministry that could take on all activities, the Shelter/NFI cluster is seeking a sustainable transition by gradually handing over key cluster functions to different actors and continuing to develop the capacity of local partners: some functions will be handed over to the government, some will be integrated into the UNSDCF, some will remain with UNHCR in relation to IDP in camps in particular such as shelter self-upgrades, and some will cease.

Of note, all critical shelter interventions should have been finalized by in early 2023 although current low level of funding is affecting progress to meet this target.