São Paulo – A project in Iraq will help internally displaced people rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities. A USD 10 million initiative to this end was launched on Monday (17) by Iraq’s Ministry of Migration and Displacement, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP).
According to the UNDP, the funds will be used to support the sustainable resettlement of internally displaced people and returnees, as well as communities affected by displacement in four Iraqi provinces: Anbar, Kirkuk, Nineveh and Salah al-Din. The project will be funded by the South Korean government through KOICA and implemented by the UNDP.
The initiative will support communities in areas such as housing and community infrastructure, livelihoods, mental health and psychosocial support, and peacebuilding activities. According to the UNDP, Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Migration and Displacement, Karim Al-Nouri, said projects of this kind are aligned with the needs and priorities of people returning after displacement in the provinces covered by the initiative.
“Through KOICA’s USD 10 million contribution, we aim to deliver tangible improvements for families and communities as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods,” said KOICA Iraq Country Director Yeon Je Ho. “Together with the Government of Iraq and KOICA, we will turn this commitment into practical results for communities affected by displacement and return,” said UNDP Iraq Resident Representative Titon Mitra.
The project aims to benefit more than 18,000 people over five years, particularly women-headed households, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The initiative includes support for families to renovate their homes and make them safer, as well as restore access to essential facilities and services such as education, health centers, water supplies and shared spaces.
Livelihood support will include climate-smart agricultural assistance for 168 farmers. Another 336 people will receive training and grants to establish small and medium-sized businesses. Community-based mental health and psychosocial support services will be provided to 2,440 people, while local peace committees will be strengthened, among other measures.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
