Part 2 – Life in Harsham Camp: Survival in a Northern Iraq Refugee Camp
Visiting Harsham Camp, just outside of Erbil, was a different experience from our time at the Sharia Camp. The camp is home to internally displaced Iraqis, most of whom fled from Mosul in 2014.Though smaller than the Sharia camp—housing around 250 families, down from 300 over the past decade—Harsham felt more structured with varying living conditions. Originally built in 2014 as a temporary six-month shelter, it remains home to 1,150 people, including 300 children, many of whom are still waiting for a path forward.
Unlike the Sharia Camp, where many residents have found ways to improve their situation, Harsham’s conditions are uneven. Families live under tarps instead of proper tents, and a devastating fire recently destroyed multiple sections, leaving entire areas without electricity. The camp’s greatest needs are clear: power, food, and school supplies for the children. Organizations such as the Barzani Charity Foundation have spent an enormous amount of resources supporting the camp but others have left the area.
A major challenge is the withdrawal of international aid. Nearly all NGOs have left, shifting focus to Gaza, leaving only the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) to support the camp. The effects of this are evident—markets have closed, resources are scarce, and the camp lacks the same level of entrepreneurial energy seen in other camps and communities. The absence of cars and the quiet, empty pathways reflected a deep uncertainty about the future.
Most of Harsham’s residents are from Mosul and Sinjar, though they are not Yezidi. Many are waiting for a new Iraqi government compensation law that would help them return home. While those from Mosul are hopeful about rebuilding, Sinjar remains too dangerous, forcing families to either wait indefinitely or seek safety elsewhere.
Recently in September 2024, the Iraqi Minister of Migration and Displacement announced the return of 599 IDPs who were residing in Harsham Camp. They have promised financial grants, relief aid and goods to help them return to their original areas of residence but it will not be easy for these individuals to relocate..
Harsham Camp is a difficult place to visit, but it reinforced an essential truth: refugee camps are not just about temporary shelter. They are about survival, resilience, and the desperate need for long-term solutions. The Barzani Charity Foundation has been a pillar of hope for individuals living in the camp and is continuing to do everything it can to support their future.