Title: Engaging with Religious Inequality in Humanitarian Response: A Case Study from Iraq 2014–2019

Author: Jeremy P. Barker, Director of RFI’s Middle East Action Team

About: In this paper, Jeremy Barker explores how religious diversity dynamics shaped humanitarian assistance efforts in the context of large-scale displacement due to conflict in Iraq, and what actions were taken to engage with religious inequalities through programmhttps://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Engaging-With-Religious-Inequality-in-Humanitarian-Response.pdfatic responses. It is based on fieldwork in Iraq, interviews with local and international humanitarian practitioners, and document analysis. While Barker examines a range of methodological and theoretical matters, he also addresses a number of practical issues in the areas of policy and program implementation.

The case of humanitarian assistance to Iraq from 2014 to 2019 highlights that significant work remains to be done to mainstream the awareness and response to religious diversity dynamics within humanitarian response programming. The population’s make-up and the particular shape of the crisis in Iraq brought these religious diversity dynamics to the forefront. However, despite ISIS intentionally targeting religious communities with violence, humanitarian assistance programmes often failed to consider the religious diversity dynamics in areas where they were planning to deliver aid.

Publication Date: October 2022

Suggested Citation: Barker, Jeremy. “Engaging With Religious Inequality in Humanitarian Response: A Case Study from Iraq 2014–2019.” CREID Working Paper. Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development (CREID). Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, October 2022. https://doi.org/10.19088/CREID.2022.012.

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