The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) Mr Nickolay Mladenov, today welcomed the decisions by the Council of Ministers of Iraq concerning the Anbar Province, calling them "a positive step in addressing the security and humanitarian situation in the province". "The proposed plan includes many of the ideas that have been discussed among the political parties and provide a good basis for national agreement. I encourage the tangible and timely implementation of the plan on the basis of broad agreement. UNAMI is ready to support all initiatives that will allow the people of Iraq to live free of the fear of terror in a democratic society that is built on the rule of law and the protection of…

Baghdad- February 18, 2014One hundred and forty-nine (149) in Baghdad started receiving an assortment of essential tool kits from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) after completing a four-month technical vocational training program to enhance their skills and increase access to the labor market and other opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. The Danish Refugee Council in collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs completed the second phase of technical vocational training for 510 beneficiaries in the governorates of Diyala, Missan, Basra and Baghdad. The training, funded by the Australian Government (AusAID), was part of DRC's livelihoods program aiming to provide sustainable solutions for displacement-affected people and female-headed-households in Iraq. Among the graduates, 408 are women (149 in Baghdad) and…

In January 2014, MAG Iraq secured funding from Stichting Vluchteling and Australian Aid to conduct Explosives Remnant of War (ERW) Risk Education in Syrian refugee camps in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The projects aims to support the protection needs of conflict-effected Syrian refugees as outlined in the Syria Regional Response Plan 6 (RRP6) through reducing threats posed by ERW on the refugees.The ERW contamination in Kurdistan Region of Iraq continues to pose a significant threat to lives and limbs of individuals living, working and traveling through contaminated areas, especially with the increasing number of Syrian refugees. Newly arriving Syrian groups and families lack familiarity in relation to the dangers of contamination in this region, as they lack local knowledge of…

Nature Iraq’s Waterkeepers Iraq Program along with partner organizations (Nature Iraq Foundation, American Canoe Association and Majestic Heights Outdoor Adventures, a Erbil-based eco-tourism company) are working for the conservation of rivers and water quality in Iraq. They are organizing an awareness-raising expedition on the Rawanduz River in May of 2014 and have a web-based fundraising campaign going on until the 31st of March to help fund the expedition. They have currently raised 34% of their target goal of 10,000 USD and are inviting people interested in protecting rivers in Iraq to visit the campaign website and lend their support by making a contribution, leaving a comment, or forwarding the campaign link to friends and contacts. Please visit the campaign site…

Nature Iraq’s Waterkeepers Iraq Program along with partner organizations (Nature Iraq Foundation, American Canoe Association and Majestic Heights Outdoor Adventures, a Kurdistan Iraq-based eco-tourism company) are working for conservation in Iraq. They have just announced the Rawanduz River Expedition, a new initiative to protect rivers in Iraq, and the kick-off of a 60-day crowdfunding campaign to make this expedition possible. Environmental protection in Iraq is complicated by negative perceptions of the country. In the global imagination, Iraq is a desert wasteland, devoid of natural beauty and lacking breathtaking scenery. In Iraqis’ understanding, their country's environment is hopelessly neglected, abused by forces beyond their control. We want to tell a new story to change these attitudes, and show Iraq's last wild…

While clashes in Anbar province continue and are leading to further multiple displacements, the United Nations continue, despite the difficulties, with deliveries of aid to the around 45,000 displaced families registered so far. “The UN continues to provide aid to those affected by the fighting in Anbar, despite the challenges posed by the deteriorating security environment and ongoing operations in the province”, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr. Nickolay Mladenov said, while noting that the Government of Iraq, the provincial authorities, as well as tribal leaders have committed to facilitating humanitarian access to the affected population. “The UN continues to hold discussions with senior political figures in an attempt to assist in paving the ground for…