Present in Iraq since the Iraq-Iran war in 1980, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) focuses on addressing the consequences of armed conflicts and other situations of violence across the country. As large-scale military operations are over, more attention has been given to transfer of knowledge, recovery and reconstruction efforts, with many people across Iraq still in need of some form of humanitarian assistance and support.

As part of its operations in the country in 2025, the ICRC delegation in Iraq, while adapting its operational mode in reflection of the current environment by transitioning from direct delivery of humanitarian services to working with its partners, including the government offices and services to reinforces their capacity, sought to ensure that:

• People deprived of freedom benefit from adequate living conditions, access to services and protection against ill-treatment. Their whereabouts are ascertained.
• Missing persons are searched for, their fate and whereabouts are clarified, and the most vulnerable families of missing persons improve their capacity to cope with difficulties related to the disappearance.
• The rights of the victims of new episodes of violence in terms of protection and access to essential services are preserved as a result of the efforts of the ICRC and the Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement partners.
• Persons with physical disabilities have access to services and programmes that help them reach their full potential in society.
• The Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) institutional and operational capacities are strengthened to respond to emerging needs as a result of the coordinated support of the ICRC and RC/RC Movement partners.

To achieve these objectives, the delegation engaged in dialogue with relevant authorities, concerned parties and affected populations and worked in partnership within and beyond the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, especially with Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) to increase its impact and relevance.

In 2025, the ICRC continued its activities in support of humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of past armed conflicts and other situations of violence in Iraq. It also undertook activities to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening the international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Many of our activities were carried out in close coordination and collaboration with the IRCS and other partners.

Download the full report below...