Erbil, Iraq
2 May 2015
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Iraq in addressing the development challenges that it faces as a result of the barbaric and murderous rampage of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
To this end, on May 2, 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the following initiatives, for a total of $26.59 million, to further address Iraq’s stabilization and development needs and enhance bilateral relations between our two countries:
Building Community Resilience in Communities Most Affected by the Influx of Internally-displaced Persons
Government support: $5 million (2015-2016)
This project will support the rehabilitation of infrastructure, help improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene services, and help increase community social cohesion related to basic service delivery.
Building Resilience and Coping Capacity among Conflict-Affected and Hosting Communities in Iraq
Government support: $4.34 million (2014-2015)
This project will support community-based rehabilitation of schools, as well as help provide water, sanitation and hygiene services, psychosocial support and child protection services.
Dohuk Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Resilience Response
Government support: $3.85 million (2015-2016)
This project will support the rehabilitation of infrastructure and help provide access to water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as help enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Water Resources to deliver services in International Development Program hosting communities.
Programming Social Cohesion through Community Support Projects
Government support: $3.7 million (2014-2015)
This project will support communities to identify and deliver projects to address education, health and municipal service delivery needs.
Fiscal Decentralization and Resiliency-building for Iraq
Government support: $6.3 million (2015-2016)
This project will support the design, implementation and management of fiscal transfer programs required to advance decentralized decision-making in Iraq. It will strengthen the capacity of the Kurdistan regional government to manage the current humanitarian crisis they are facing.
Investigating International Crimes in Syria and Iraq
Government support: $1.2 million
This project will support investigations into human rights violations in conflict-affected areas.
Protection of Internally-displaced Persons and Returnees through Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Clearance and Risk Mitigation Strategies in Iraq
Government support: $1 million (2015-2016)
This project will include three components: promoting safe behaviours and raising awareness of the threats posed by ERW to vulnerable communities; manual clearance of prioritized land, in consultation with relevant government authorities; and training and capacity building.
Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Risk Management Program in Iraq
Government support: $1 million (2015-2016)
The project will include three components: implementation of ERW surveys; risk awareness training for at risk populations; and capacity building for improved ERW information management.
Providing Support to the St. Elia Church in Erbil, Iraq
Government support: $200,000
This support will help the St. Elia Church in Erbil to address the basic needs of families fleeing religious persecution by ISIS. These basic needs include shelter, food and water.
