Bridging the divide: Linking ongoing emergency support for IDPs and vulnerable host populations to longer-term sustainable development in Iraq

In 2010 in Iraq, ACTED has been providing access to basic services including water, food and shelter for one of the largest internally displaced populations (IDPs) in the world in the context of a volatile security situation and sectarian divide. Despite these obstacles, ACTED has not only responded to the emergency needs, but also begun the process of moving towards a longer term sustainable development approach. Through organising community committees ACTED makes sure that beneficiaries themselves are involved in needs assessments and project planning. As a result, the most vital needs are met in each of the communities we work in.

ACTED works to provide vulnerable Iraqi populations with emergency support

Although Iraq has not witnessed any new large-scale displacements due to conflict in the last years, severe drought has led to a rise in the number of environmental refugees in search of water. Nearly 48 % of IDPs chose to either integrate their local host communities or settle in a third location. As a result, the livelihood and economic constraints affect both the IDP and host communities. ACTED’s strategy has been to work equally with both communities in an effort to ensure better integration and to mitigate potential conflicts that may arise from the allotment of resources.

With such a large refugee population and an existing housing deficit of 2 million units, ACTED’s priority focus has been to improve the living conditions of internally displaced people – a majority of whom live in dilapidated, overcrowded and unsafe shelters lacking in even the most basic amenities. ACTED worked with 1,100 vulnerable beneficiaries with a primary focus on women-headed households to rehabilitate or build shelters and household latrines. In addition, ACTED distributed summer and winter kits containing non-food items, distributed essential food supplies and rehabilitated or built sanitation systems, all in an effort to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

ACTED expands activities with improved services to young populations

In 2010, ACTED provided a wide variety of trainings to vulnerable communities throughout Iraq. Working on child protection issues, ACTED devised and delivered culturally sensitive workshops on livelihood development, gender-based violence, child rights and life-skills to over 4,000 beneficiaries including boys and girls. To augment this, ACTED opened 18 child friendly spaces providing a safe space for over 1,670 children. With the ongoing drought and a severe lack of water, good hygienic practices are vital in preventing diseases and for the general welfare of vulnerable communities. Due to the circumstances, ACTED is preparing over 6,000 personal hygiene kits that will be supplemented by hygiene awareness training.

Noting the importance of training and specialised skills in raising the standard of living for displaced communities, ACTED has piloted a new apprenticeship program in the Thi Qar Governorate. The pilot scheme aims to provide vocational training to determined young men and women in an effort to give them durable skills to support the capacity to have new livelihoods for themselves and their families. After researching the local demands for vocational skills, ACTED selected five different apprenticeship programs to benefit a total of 20 determined individuals. The scheme has proven to be highly effective and ACTED plans to expand this program over the coming year.

Outlook to the future

Building on our experience and learning from ACTED’s many years working in Iraq, ACTED continues to link emergency relief and rehabilitation to longer-term development work with a focus on interventions based on persons’ vulnerability and humanitarian needs. ACTED’s work with the community risk reduction committees set up in 2010 continues in an effort to make sure each intervention meets the most pressing needs for the communities we work in. The apprenticeship scheme has proved successful, and ACTED continues to build on it focusing on the lessons we learned in order to improve the scheme.