ERBIL [ACTED News] – Providing emergency assistance was complicated in Kawargosk refugee camp, near Erbil, Kurdistan, on November 9, as the first rain of the season destroyed over 235 tents – forcing families to relocate to Dara Shakran refugee camp. ACTED teams were the first on the ground, providing emergency relief to families through relocation assistance and putting in place emergency draining systems. Through cash-for-work schemes, preparations for the winter season is ongoing. Additional assistance is urgently needed to prepare Kawergosk’s inhabitants for the harsh upcoming winter season.

ACTED teams have been working in Kawargosk camp, serving over 12,000 Syrian refugees, since its opening on 15th August, in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Conflict in Syria has forced over 200,000 Syrians to flee to Iraq. August 15th marked a mass influx of refugees into Iraqi Kurdistan as the border re-opened. ACTED, through REACH, conducted a rapid needs assessment to inform humanitarian action. ACTED teams were mobilized within the newly established refugee camps to carry out food and emergency non-food items distributions, provide community mobilization and mass information campaigns as well as establish cash for work programmes.