Since 2003, USAID has been a steadfast partner in helping Iraq promote stability and prosperity for all citizens.
PROVINCES
Nationwide
LIFE OF ACTIVITY
Ongoing since 2003
OVERVIEW
Following the territorial defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), nearly five million Iraqis have returned home, while an estimated 1.15 million people remain displaced. Destruction of housing, critical infrastructure, and livelihoods, as well as the lack of basic services, ongoing security risks, and social tensions continue to prevent many Iraqis from returning home. Additionally, governance challenges, limited economic opportunities, and a lack of essential services led Iraqi youth to take to the streets in protest in late 2019. Iraq’s economic and fiscal instability was exacerbated first by the COVID-19 pandemic and decline in oil revenues, and later by extreme temperatures, rising energy costs, and water scarcity due to climate change. One quarter of Iraqis live in poverty.
OBJECTIVES
USAID’s goals are to help stabilize communities, improve the transparency and accountability of government, mitigate the impact of climate change, expand economic opportunities, strengthen civil society, provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, and promote religious and ethnic pluralism.
GOALS
Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance: USAID supports the Government of Iraq (GOI), the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and civil society to strengthen governance that is democratic, accountable, and responsive for all.
Economic Growth and Climate Resilience: USAID is helping pull households and communities out of poverty by diversifying the Iraqi private sector, improving the overall business investment landscape, and advocating for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Humanitarian Assistance: The United States is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Iraq, providing over $3.6 billion since 2014. Assistance includes primary health care, water and sanitation, medical equipment, medicine, and help for internally displaced persons and refugees.
Stabilization: In partnership with national, provincial, and local governments, and over 100 civil society, faith-based, and international organizations, USAID is meeting the immediate and long-term needs of vulnerable, marginalized, and persecuted ethnic and religious minorities by restoring essential infrastructure and services in areas formerly occupied by ISIS.
