Child Labor Among Syrian Refugees in Erbil’s Camps

By Ali Hamza

One year after the fall of the Assad regime, thousands of Syrian families in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) remain in refugee camps, unable or unwilling to return home due to ongoing uncertainty and instability. For the 245,134 Syrian refugees in the region, daily life is a constant struggle—especially for children, many of whom are forced to work to support their families.

The Erbil governorate hosts four main Syrian refugee camps—Darashakran, Qushtapa, Kawergosk, and Basirma—established in 2013 to shelter families fleeing northeastern Syria. Although humanitarian services have improved over time, economic hardship continues to drive children into the workforce, putting their education, health, and childhood at risk.

Across these camps, children as young as ten can be found working as street vendors, waste collectors, assistants in family businesses or small shops, or as casual laborers in construction, agriculture, and local markets. Many endure long hours under unsafe conditions, earning just enough to help cover basic household needs. Teachers and camp officials report rising school absenteeism and dropout rates, as children are forced to balance survival with education.

Farhad Habarash, a Syrian Kurd from Afrin living in Darashakran Camp, describes the situation:
“Even after Assad fell, families don’t want to go back to Syria. There is no safety, no stability, no future there. Here, we survive, but our children must work. Without their help, we cannot manage.”

Economic hardship manifests differently across the camps. Darashakran, the largest camp, sees many children engaged in waste collection and small market activities. In Basirma, although the population is smaller, there are documented cases of school dropout linked to child labor. Qushtapa reports high numbers of working children, many of whom leave school early. In Kawergosk, one of the older camps, families struggle with limited income, pushing children into work in shops and markets.

While humanitarian organizations provide some protection, cash assistance, and access to education, needs often exceed available resources. Many families depend on their children’s income to survive, and without targeted intervention, the cycle of child labor is likely to persist.

Child labor is not only an economic issue—it is also a protection crisis, affecting education, physical safety, and psychological well-being. Children in Erbil’s refugee camps are losing their childhoods, taking on responsibilities far beyond their years.

One year after Assad’s fall, Syrian refugee children continue to shoulder the burden of survival while longing for education, safety, and a normal life. Their situation is a stark reminder that displacement is not temporary, but a long-term challenge requiring urgent attention.

According to UNHCR data, Iraq hosts more than 340,000 refugees and asylum seekers, the vast majority of whom are Syrians. Children make up nearly 41% of this population, placing them among the most vulnerable to early labor and school dropout. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, only about 30% of refugees live in official camps, while the rest reside in urban and semi-urban areas—extending the challenges of child labor beyond the camps and into surrounding communities. These figures underscore the scale of the daily struggles faced by Syrian refugee children, both within Erbil’s camps and beyond.