Iraq Crisis - Water Sanitation Hygiene Health and Livelihoods Assistance – Oxfam-Québec 2017-2019

December 2016 - The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. The violence between armed groups and government forces has displaced over 3 million people from their homes. The capacity of the Government to respond to the basic needs of its citizens has been overwhelmed. While Daesh has lost considerable territory in 2016 it is expected that humanitarian needs will remain significant in the coming years. More people will be displaced by the conflict while many will remain displaced in camps and host communities. However there will also be growing numbers of people returning to areas no longer under the control of Daesh who will also need assistance to help restart their lives. With GAC’s support Oxfam-Québec is providing water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) health protection and livelihoods assistance to vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) returnees and host communities in Iraq. Project activities include: (1) constructing and/or rehabilitating water networks and train WASH committees on the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities; (2) constructing latrines and bathing facilities and improve solid waste management for up to 18 000 beneficiaries; (3) providing hygiene kits to up to 6 000 individuals and providing health and hygiene sessions to up to 12 200 beneficiaries; (4) providing emergency sanitation facilities and water trucking in situations of sudden displacement for up to 1 000 households; (5) providing multi-month cash transfers and one-time emergency cash transfers to vulnerable households; (6) improving livelihoods and income generation opportunities for returnees internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities including through the restoration of agricultural activities; and (7) improving access of IDPs and returnees to health and protection services at the community level.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access for vulnerable persons to safe drinking water and WASH facilities; (2) improved solid waste management; (3) improved knowledge of health and hygiene issues; (4) improved access to a diverse range of livelihood and income generation opportunities for IDPs returnees and host communities; and (5) improved access of vulnerable persons to health and protection services. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are food insecure.