Canada’s support for people of Iraq and Syria

Canada’s Middle East engagement strategy includes $145 million in stabilization and security programming. Our objective is to significantly contribute to the Global Coalition’s efforts to dismantle and ultimately defeat Daesh, restore stability and promote regional security.

Through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs), Canada seeks to enhance stability, hold individuals accountable for international crimes, and promote reconciliation and conflict mediation in Iraq and Syria.

Note: For security reasons, NGO partners working inside Syria are not publicly named.

Funding announced today by the Government of Canada

New support for the Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization with the United Nations Development Programme - $3 million over one year

This initiative provides the Government of Iraq with a mechanism to address the immediate needs of the population in areas newly liberated from Daesh. It is designed to address four windows of engagement: light infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihoods support, capacity building and community reconciliation. Canadian funding has been earmarked for the deployment of expertise in Mosul and western Anbar. This additional allocation brings Canada’s contribution for the Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization to $8.6 million.

Enhanced civilian security in areas secured from Daesh through improvised explosive devices clearance with the Mines Advisory Group - $2 million over three years

This project deploys specialized teams and detection dog teams to clear land in Ninewah of improvised explosive devices. This means displaced populations can return home and people can access newly liberated areas in the districts of Rabeea, Zummar and Sinuni in the governorate of Ninewah.

Preparing for the prosecution of breaches of international criminal and humanitarian law with the Commission for International Justice and Accountability in Iraq and Syria -
$3.3 million over three years

The Commission for International Justice and Accountability is a Canadian-led organization that utilizes experienced international lawyers and investigators to ensure that evidence of violations of international criminal and humanitarian law are compiled and documented to the highest international standards. This project will increase access to justice and accountability for Iraqis and Syrians affected by the conflict, fight impunity, and strengthen international responses to atrocities committed. This contribution brings Canada’s support to the Commission for International Justice and Accountability to $4.9 million since the beginning of the conflict.

Addressing housing, land and property disputes through customary justice in Iraq with the Norwegian Refugee Council - $3 million over three years

This project aims to enable Iraqis in newly liberated areas of Anbar and Ninewah to more effectively resolve housing, land and property disputes and access essential documentation. It works to improve cooperation between government, humanitarian groups and customary justice systems─in conformity with both Iraqi and international law.

Safeguarding mass gravesites in liberated areas of Iraq, and responding to demands from victims’ families for justice and accountability with the International Commission on Missing Persons - $2.3 million over two years

This project aims to develop the capacity of local authorities to respond to the population’s demands for action to protect mass gravesites and recover vulnerable surface-lying human remains. It will also assist in identifying victims and safeguarding evidence that will be essential to future prosecution.

Preventing reprisals and mitigating violence in Iraq with Development Transformations - $1.6 million over two years

This initiative will support grassroots anti-retribution campaigns to prevent revenge attacks and protect vulnerable groups in areas liberated from Daesh. This will be accomplished by working with various groups, including civil society, tribal leaders and representatives from ethnic minorities, women’s groups, Iraqi security forces and organizations representative of urban and rural communities.

International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - $400,000 over one year

The project will contribute to the launch of the Syria Accountability Mechanism in order to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria since March 2011.

Supporting the Transitional Justice Coordination Group with The Day After - $435,000 over two years

This project will support Syrian civil society to preserve official documents and to produce recommendations on transitional justice and will build the capacity of Syrian judges and lawyers to take part in accountability efforts.

Working in partnership with the United Kingdom, Canada will also provide:

• $4 million over one year to respond to urgent needs of communities, including newly liberated areas of Syria. This initiative will provide research capacity to identify the more urgent stability needs of communities in Syria, and rapidly deploy interventions aimed at increasing stability and preventing conflict;
• $5 million over two years to strengthen inclusive, representative and legitimate governance actors at provincial and local levels with a view to providing effective services for Syrians; and
• $3 million over two years to provide access to effective, accountable and reliable justice and community security, delivered by legitimate civilian-led institutions in partnership with Syrian communities.