European Union brings relief to flood-affected communities in Iraq

European Union brings relief to flood-affected communities in Iraq

Following severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in northern Iraq earlier this month, the European Union is providing €100,000 in humanitarian funding to assist the most affected people.

This EU funding supports the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in delivering much-needed emergency assistance, including essential household items, food assistance, winter supplies, hygiene items, cash support, and basic health and water services.

The humanitarian aid will directly benefit over 16,000 people whose homes, livelihoods, and access to basic services were severely disrupted by the floods. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Between 9 and 12 December 2025, heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across several governorates in northern Iraq, including Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Erbil, and Nineveh. Hundreds of homes and public facilities were damaged, forcing families to evacuate and leaving many without adequate shelter, food, and access to essential services. The floods compounded existing vulnerabilities, particularly for families already affected by economic hardship and winter conditions.

Background 

The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. 

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the European Union provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

The European Union is signatory to a €16 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal. 

The Disaster Response Emergency Fund was established in 1979 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.  For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The delegation agreement between the IFRC and ECHO enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit within its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of 16 million. 

For further information, please contact:

[Daniele Pagani] on [Daniele.pagani@echofield.eu]