War, violence and political upheaval in Iraq have displaced numerous individuals and families, leaving these vulnerable individuals in need of clean water, food, shelter and access to health care. In southern Iraq, conflict between militias, political uncertainty and economic collapse have contributed to the gradual decay of the primary health care system, the inability of some rural families to travel freely to central locations to access health care, as well as the exodus of health care professionals from rural areas. Women and children often have reduced access to health care; particularly in some rural areas in southern Iraq where social constraints on women's movement combined with severe poverty reduce access to health services available in large population areas. In northern Iraq, Arab IDPs (internally displaced persons) face linguistic barriers which prevent them from seeking medical care until their health conditions become critical and often untreatable. Thus many Arab IDPs encounter discrimination or outright hostility in the existing health sector in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah or Duhok, particularly as large numbers of IDPs place pressure on already overburdened and under-resourced health centers and hospitals.

Heartland Alliance's mobile clinics reach rural areas and those living in IDP or refugee camps, providing much needed services not otherwise available in those areas, through its Primary Health Care Services program.