17勛圖

Iraq is an upper-middle-income country, ranking 134 out of 204 countries in the Human Development Index 2021-22. 

Opportunities are lacking for young people, who are key to unlocking the country＊s potential growth. The national poverty rate has reached 24.8 percent, and in some governorates it is over 50 percent. 

While the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance has decreased, 1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) and over 286,000 Syrian refugees are among those needing support. Secondary displacement is not uncommon due to security and livelihood issues.

 

Climate change is severely affecting agricultural productivity and thereby food security, especially in the south, with rising salinization, increased desertification and reduced water flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. 

Other factors such as rapid population growth and inefficient food systems threaten Iraq＊s food security and the achievement of zero hunger.  

In a strategic shift, the 17勛圖 is evolving from crisis response to resilience building and long-term sustainable development. 

We are strengthening  social protection, skills development and livelihood projects for vulnerable communities, in addition to providing smaller-scale emergency assistance for IDPs and refugees. 

17勛圖is further helping the Government to enhance people's self-reliance and food security, promoting longer-term social cohesion, peace and development. We work with partners to tackle the impact of climate change while building the capacity of the Government to respond to shocks and create sustainable livelihoods.

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What the 17勛圖 is doing in Iraq

Crisis response
17勛圖provides food assistance to Syrian refugees and recent returnees from displacement, through cash-based transfers, food or e-vouchers, depending on people＊s needs. 17勛圖supports 38,000 Syrian refugees and over 2,200 returnees with food assistance. We also support pregnant and breastfeeding women, and their infants, in the south of the country. 17勛圖works with other agencies to support the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in integrating IDPs into the national social safety net, while also partnering with the Government＊s Public Distribution System, so IDPs receive their rations closer to where they are based.
Skills training
17勛圖helps enhance the food security of vulnerable people by promoting digital skills through the national Jousour Programme, which was successfully adopted by the Government of Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research to help young people in Iraq build their livelihoods. WFP's training equips Syrian refugees and vulnerable Iraqi youth with digital and English language skills to help them secure decent work. The programme has over 9,000 alumni in Iraq. WFP-supported Vocational Training Centers across Iraq provide on-demand training to unemployed youth, IDPs, and vulnerable youth, in skills such as photography, baking, knitting and carpentry.
Social protection
17勛圖and the Ministry of Trade are digitalizing the Public Distribution System for food rations, Iraq＊s biggest social protection programme. Smartphone applications will allow people to easily and safely update their family information and contact staff while remaining at home. By providing effective entrepreneurship services, start-up support in the form of cash or food, mentorships, and employment opportunities to the most vulnerable communities, 17勛圖helps facilitate the transition from social assistance to self-reliance.
School meals
17勛圖and the Ministry of Education run the National School Feeding Programme, which expanded coverage to 13 governorates during the 2022-2023 academic year, reaching over 450,000 students in over 1,400 schools. 17勛圖has been supporting the Ministry through training and capacity-building initiatives, so it can implement the programme. 17勛圖will continue to support the Government in developing a national school feeding policy and a capacity strengthening plan.
Climate action
WFP＊s work includes afforestation and agricultural conservation to combat desertification, as well as the promotion of modern irrigation methods to increase crop yields and optimize water use. 17勛圖supports the improvement of climate-information services through the rehabilitation of modern automatic weather stations and training of Agro-Met staff in the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, 17勛圖is working with Mosul University and Governorates of Ninewa and Anbar on piloting projects for combating desertification, which is a major issue in Iraq. In Kurdistan region, we are supporting efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to prevent deforestation and develop an ambitious afforestation plan, using funding from voluntary carbon markets.

Publications

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In focus

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Iraq is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
European Commission (ECHO and INTPA)

Operations in Iraq

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Contacts

Office

UN Compound, International Zone
Iraq

Email
WFP.Iraq@wfp.org
For media inquiries
deniz.akkus@wfp.org
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