Improving basic services in northern Iraq

Context

Iraq continues to be a fragile state in an unstable region. Conflicts in the region – including the war in Syria – have resulted in a huge number of refugees and internally displaced people. The population of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has subsequently increased by nearly 40 per cent since 2014. Dohuk Governorate alone is home to over half a million internally displaced people and refugees, who are accommodated in 27 camps. In most cases, it is unlikely that they will return to their home county in the foreseeable future.

Although the so-called Islamic State has now been defeated, the authorities in the host communities within KRI are largely overstretched and not in a position to deliver basic public services.

Objective

Public services in healthcare, water and sanitation and education and social services are provided more efficiently by qualified experts and managers. They are also more effective thanks to better organisation and administration.

Approach

The project works primarily in Duhok Governorate, which is home to the most internally displaced people and refugees, and in the neighbouring province of Nineveh.

It is building the capacities of staff in the Directorate General for Health and the Directorates for Sanitation, Education, Labour and Social Affairs. For example, through training courses and auxiliary equipment, it is supporting an installed wastewater treatment plant with efficient operation and professional maintenance and securing the water supply.

The project is also improving training for health service staff and training plans for medical students, doctors, nursing staff, engineers, technicians and managers.

In addition, it is developing the technical and administrative capacities of the Directorate for Labour and Social Affairs, so that social programmes can be expanded. Strategies and action plans are designed to attract potential donors.

The project is being supported by the consulting firms ARGE, GOPA, Health Focus and Dorsch.

Last update: April 2023