Strengthening Humanitarian Coordination in Iraq - OCHA 2009

While armed conflict between the Government of Iraq international troops and armed groups continued throughout 2008 early 2009 shows signs of a decrease in new population displacements improved access to humanitarian assistance and the return of small numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees. However water sanitation and electrical infrastructure remain inadequate to support the local population and levels of poverty unemployment and dependency on government food rations are on the rise. CIDA's contribution is supporting the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in its role as lead agency in coordinating humanitarian activities of United Nations agencies international and local non-governmental organizations in Iraq. Activities focus on supporting existing coordination structures analysis management and timely dissemination of information mobilizing resources and advocacy activities. In addition OCHA is supporting regional humanitarian coordination between Iraq and countries hosting Iraqi refugees including Syria Jordan and Lebanon.