Iraq

A mother at the Well Baby Centre, Iraq. Due to sanctions and war, thousands of children have died because of lack of medical supplies [Maura O'Donohue]

Iraq was once one of the most prosperous developing countries. But after 12 years of UN-imposed economic sanctions and two Gulf Wars, many of Iraq's 27 million people have become impoverished.

Key challenges include:

Accurate information: Without the UN operational on the ground, and following the withdrawal of most NGOs, it is very difficult to gather accurate information about the conditions facing Iraqi people.

Lack of water, electricity and food: Our partners on the ground tell us that electricity and water supplies remain unreliable.

And the numbers of people seeking food and help at the Caritas centres are rising. As a result health and nutrition is poor.

Violence: No single thing could do more to improve people's quality of life than a reduction in levels of violence and insecurity.

Unemployment: A lack of income is another big concern for many Iraqi people who have no means of supporting their families.

In a period characterised by rhetoric and propaganda, agencies who are driven by humanitarian motives alone are sorely needed.

Since the war, CAFOD has been trying to fill gaps that were left by the former Coalition Provisional Authority in rebuilding the devastated country. We support five organisations working to address these challenges.

section highlights

Support for young people

STEP works with young children who work on the streets in Sulaymaniyah.

Creating links between young people

Iraqi Al-Amal runs a youth reconciliation programme - creating links between Iraqi youths and others around the world via the internet.

Computer training

IRAC provides computer training to people in Kerbala.

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