Iraq Crisis - Emergency Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance - Cash Consortium for Iraq 2017

July 2017 – Ongoing military efforts to retake territory from Daesh and Mosul in particular continue to drive the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. More than 3.3 million people are displaced in camps and host communities and an additional 1.9 previously displaced people have returned to their communities often finding their homes destroyed. The UN estimates that over 10 million Iraqis affected by the crisis are in need of assistance. Despite the ongoing conflict markets in most of Iraq have continued to function normally. Humanitarian organizations have increasingly been relying on cash-assistance as an appropriate and dignified way for families in need to meet their basic needs. Cash-assistance also contributes to restarting local economies and the livelihoods households need to reduce their reliance on emergency humanitarian assistance. With GAC’s support (via Mercy Corps) the Cash Consortium for Iraq is providing emergency cash assistance to some 2 300 of the most vulnerable conflict-affected households in Iraq. This emergency assistance will help families meet critical basic needs and reduce the use of negative coping strategies while providing dignified choices and supporting local markets. The consortium model allows organizations to respond across all conflict-affected areas of Iraq and allocate resources to meet the most urgent needs.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved ability to meet basic needs such as food water and shelter; (2) improved access to basic social services such as health care and education; and (3) increased support for livelihood activities. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are food insecure.