Iraqis have known little of peace or prosperity for forty years; with each generation facing its own unique crisis. Today the country remains in a deeply fragile situation following the end of hostilities with ISIL two years ago; a conflict which continues to affect the physical and mental well-being, living standards, and capacity for resilience and recovery of millions of Iraqis. Social, ethnic and sectarian tensions persist on multiple fronts.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis remain uprooted and unable to return home, the main reasons being destroyed shelters and lack of economic opportunities. Serious protection concerns are raised regarding returns of the women and children with perceived affiliations to ISIL and other groups. The humanitarian community in Iraq continues to support voluntary, dignified, informed and sustainable returns. The majority of areas of return continue to experience a wide range of severe access and security constraints, lack of basic infrastructure and basic services, as well as lack of livelihood opportunities that could allow returnees to integrate and achieve durable solutions to displacement.
ACTED in Iraq
In 2020...
Within the current context of IDP camp closures, ACTED is working towards the promotion of voluntary returns leveraging on its presence, as a camp management agency, in Salamiyah camp, one of the biggest remaining camps in Ninewa governorate, as well as its presence in the areas of return. In camp, ACTED provides CCCM and WASH services, as well as information management and awareness raising on the services available in the areas of origin of the IDPs. In parallel, ACTED has extensive programming in the areas of return to facilitate reintegration, through rehabilitation of shelters, WASH and market infrastructure, as well as provision of livelihoods opportunities. To address the issue of secondary displacement, following the formal camps closure, ACTED has started CCCM activities through mobile teams that intervene in informal settlements within Ninewa governorate.
Moreover, ACTED has long-standing programming to support Syrian refugees in Dohuk governorate, through child protection interventions, as well as provision of basic WASH services for refugees at in camp and out of camp locations.
In the past years, ACTED has been working towards green agriculture practices through the construction and rehabilitation of relevant infrastructure and the provision of related training for farmers. More specifically, in 2019, ACTED built the first pilot-scale Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP), in Dohuk governorate, using waste stabilization ponds to effectively remove the harmful content of sludge to a level at which the final treated product can be used for agricultural purposes (as compost). One of the main project objectives was to improve access to quality agricultural inputs by providing a safe, efficient and high-quality compost for the local farming community in the region. Moreover, ACTED is currently implementing a project in Fallujah district, Anbar governorate, including rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure and trainings for farmers on green agricultural practices through the Farmer Field School approach.
Local engineers building Iraq's first leachate treatment plant to tackle the environmental challenges created by the runoff from untreated garbage.
In Mosul, ACTED begins the cleanup operation following the retreat of ISIL.
Birds gather over Kwashe landfill site. Under investment in solid waste management remains a major danger to humans, animals and nature, hence ACTED's work to build treatment infrastructures.
Local companies in Mosul get to work restoring public bins in communal areas as part of city clean up efforts
Mosul's residents lead the efforts to clean the streets following the long-term total breakdown in municipal services
Mosul's new army of streetsweepers after a day's work
ACTED staff oversee a distribution of essential items at Salamiya camp. A camp in which many of those displaced from the Mosul conflict remain until this day.
In Hawiga, locals lead the distribution of items to help displaced persons make their shelters resistant to the elements in preparation for the winter.
In Mosul, ACTED engaged with returning residents to help decide what the most pressing issues were in their neighbourhoods.
rrem
ACTED in Iraq remains heavily involved in the management and improvement of camps in Iraq and the KRI.
Current projects
Privacy
