Baghdad: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq has announced a significant step forward in supporting displaced persons and returnees with the signing of a $10 million grant agreement. This initiative is in collaboration with the Ministry of Migration and Displacement and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), targeting more than 18,000 individuals in the governorates of Anbar, Salah al-Din, Ninewa, and Kirkuk.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the four-year initiative will focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. Key areas of support include rehabilitating housing and community infrastructure, offering climate-resilient livelihoods, and enhancing local capacities for peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
UNDP Resident Representative in Iraq, Titon Mitra, emphasized the importance of this partnership during the grant agreement ceremony, stating that it represents a shared commitment to providing sustainable solutions for IDPs, returnees, and host communities. He highlighted the initiative’s focus on women, IDPs, returnees, and vulnerable groups, aiming to address community needs and support stability in areas affected by displacement.
Mitra also praised the Ministry of Migration and Displacement’s role in aiding vulnerable groups and expressed pride in the partnership with KOICA and Korea’s ongoing commitment to Iraq. He described the grant as a model of international cooperation leading to tangible results and improvements in citizens’ lives.
The agreement is designed to help communities transition from vulnerability and displacement to recovery and sustainable solutions. Achieving the initiative’s full impact will require ongoing national leadership and enhanced coordination among partners, ensuring sustainable solutions and improved access to basic services for the most vulnerable families.
Karim Al-Nouri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, expressed gratitude for projects that align with the needs of returnees in the targeted governorates. Yoon Ji-ho, KOICA’s Country Director in Iraq, affirmed Korea’s support for the partnership, aiming for tangible results that help families and communities rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
The partnership will focus on housing, community services, livelihoods, mental health, psychosocial support, and peacebuilding activities. Over the next five years, the initiative is expected to benefit more than 18,000 people across the four governorates, prioritizing female-headed households, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Efforts will include rehabilitating homes, restoring essential community facilities, and providing livelihood support, such as climate-resilient agricultural assistance to 168 farmers and training for 336 individuals to establish small and medium-sized enterprises. Community-level mental health services will be offered to 2,440 members, and local peace committees will receive support to promote reconciliation and prevent conflict.
The project will target the districts of Al-Qaim and Al-Rumana in Anbar, Al-Hawija and Daquq in Kirkuk, Sinjar in Nineveh, and Baiji in Salah al-Din, with specific implementation areas to be coordinated with the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, KOICA, and UNDP in the project’s initial phase.