Dear Friends,
2020 has been a year of trials, tragedies and tears.
COVID-19 upended our lives and plunged the world into suffering and grief.
23 December 2020 - Baghdad — Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which employ a majority of Iraq’s workers, were severely impacted by the conflict against ISIL. They were gradually recovering when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, further exacerbating vulnerabilities and increasing economic challenges for Iraqi businesses and their workers.
We have all been affected, in one way or another, by the global pandemic. Iraq, like the rest of the world, has suffered immensely. Sadly, COVID-19 has compounded Iraq’s already daunting security, political, social and economic challenges.
21 December 2020, Baghdad, Iraq – The Netherlands has committed USD $6,41 million to support UNICEF and The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure that almost a million residents of Basra governorate have access to safe water.
IRAQ - UNHCR welcomes the recent contribution of 9 million Swedish Krona (~ USD 1 million) towards UNHCR's protection and assistance programmes to support vulnerable displaced persons in Iraq. This is in addition to the 10 million Swedish Krona (~USD 1.17 million) previously granted towards UNHCR operations in Iraq, bringing Sweden’s total contribution in 2020 by the Kingdom of Sweden to 19 million Swedish Krona (~ USD 2.23 million).
Supported by the Government of the Netherlands, the collaboration will help generate decent jobs for forcibly displaced persons and host community members in Iraq through water irrigation maintenance and solid waste management.