Iraq Crisis - Improving Health Livelihoods and Protection - ICRC 2016-2019

September 2016 – The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate as armed clashes between Daesh and government forces drive displacement. Since January 2014 over 3.3 million people have been displaced and an additional 887 000 previously displaced people have returned to their homes that have often been destroyed making it one of the largest cases of internal displacement in the world. Persecution of minority groups is an ongoing concern as well as the protection of women and children who are at an increased risk of (and in some cases targeted for) sexual violence such as rape as well as child early and forced marriage. Canada is helping reduce the vulnerability of hundreds of thousands of crisis-affected people especially women and children through a broad spectrum of humanitarian assistance activities across Iraq. GAC’s multi-year humanitarian support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is contributing to improved health living conditions livelihoods and protection in conflict-affected regions of Iraq. Project activities include: (1) providing food assistance and non-food essential relief items to conflict-affected people; (2) providing emergency cash assistance and support of productive inputs for livelihoods; (3) providing water and shelter support; (4) providing medical services through direct support to health centres and hospitals; and (5) providing physical rehabilitation and support to vulnerable persons.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to food and non-food essential items for conflict-affected people; (2) improved livelihood opportunities; (3) improved access to water and shelter; and (4) improved access to health and rehabilitation services. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.