IOM Iraq this week worked with UNHCR to distribute non-food relief
items from IOM's emergency warehouse in Erbil to 34 newly arrived
Syrian families at the newly established Domiz refugee camp in
Iraq's Dahuk Governorate.

IOM distributed water filters, rechargeable lights, cooking
stoves, gas cylinders, blankets and pillows, while UNHCR provided
mattresses, kerosene heaters and jerry cans.

There are now some 75 registered refugee families in the camp
and IOM plans to distribute relief items to the remaining 41
families in the coming days.

At the official opening of the camp on April 4th, the mayor of
Dahuk's Sumel District, Mazin Mohammed, said that he expected the
number of Syrians coming into Iraq to double in the coming
days.

"We are doing all that we can to prepare for this influx, but
the ongoing support of both IOM and UNHCR is crucial. We will rely
on your capacities in the future," he said.

IOM, UNHCR and local authorities estimate that as of April 3rd,
at least 3,000 Syrian refugees had been forced to abandon their
homes in the face of increasing violence and cross the border into
Northern Iraq.

IOM is monitoring the situation closely to assess the needs of
the displaced families. It is also working with the Bureau of
Migration and Displacement of the Kurdish Regional Government to
register all displaced individuals who have entered Iraq.

In partnership with UNHCR, IOM is also helping to establish the
basic infrastructure at Domiz camp, including the construction of a
21,000 liter water tank.

IOM is urgently seeking additional funding from the
international community to help other Syrians expected to cross the
border.

For more information please contact:

Lado Gvilava

IOM Iraq

Tel: +962 795 409 624

E-mail: "mailto:lgvilava@iom.int">lgvilava@iom.int