Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 in Iraq: Key findings
Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 in Iraq: Key findings is the final paper in a series of eight released by UNDP on the impact of COVID-19 in Iraq. Throughout the series, UNDP provides a multidimensional analysis on the impact of the pandemic and related shocks, current and past, on Iraq and its citizens.
Featured publications
Nov 21, 2021
Funding Facility for Stabilization Quarter II Report 2021
This report provides an overview of FFS activities during the second quarter of 2021 (1 April to 30 June).
Nov 9, 2021
The Ministry of Planning’s Central Statistical Organization (CSO) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has conducted a study on Micro, Small, and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs) in Iraq. The Survey covered the three governorates of Baghdad, Basra, and Nineveh. The study provides an evidence base to inform policies and strategies aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods, including through MSMEs’ development. It is designed to build a comprehensive analysis on the MSMEs structures, trends, business dynamics, challenges and opportunities through up-to-date, reliable, relevant market information and analysis.
Oct 21, 2021
IRAQ CRISIS RESPONSE AND RESILIENCE PROGRAMME ANNUAL REPO
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak disrupted stabilization efforts and exacerbated prevalent vulnerabilities in Iraq. In this context, the Iraq Crisis and Response Programme made steady progress towards contributing to the outcome creating enabling conditions for safe return of internally displaced persons in newly liberated areas. ICRRP worked supported the communities in vulnerable situations under four programmatic areas; a) crisis prevention and response, b) access to basic services, c) livelihoods recovery, and d) social cohesion.
Sep 28, 2021
Design Thinking Training Manual
In 2019, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Iraq, under the Innovation for Development Project, developed and launched the first Iraqi Training Manual specialized in Sustainable Development Goals, entrepreneurship, and Design Thinking Methodology in collaboration with a group of Iraqi youth volunteers, aiming to provide localized training materials for all Iraqis interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. This manual is the result of research, testing, design, and a lot of trial and error. Since 2015, the project team has collected training tools and ideas from different sources, which have been enhanced to reflect a localized learning journey suitable for Iraqi youth and the Iraqi context. The manual was tested by 700 youth, 15 organizations and one university, before revision to its current form.
Aug 12, 2021
Policy Brief: Reintegration of Former Volunteer Fighters
The Community Security Integration Pilot (CSIP) was implemented in Al-Qurna , Basra governorate to reintegrate Former Volunteer Fighters once territories occupied by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) were liberated. CSIP was developed under the Forging Iraq’s Path to Sustainable Peace and Development Project (FIPSPD) funded by the Government of Japan. The pilot was implemented between 2019-2020 and aimed to provide FVFs skills to better access economic opportunities, through a combination of vocational training, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and grant support interventions. to strengthen their resilience to better reintegrate into their families and communities. This paper explores key finding and lessons learned under this pilot.
Aug 12, 2021
The perception survey to assess community readiness for return and reintegration of families with perceived ISIL affiliation in pilot areas analyzes the results of a survey conducted by UNDP Iraq in September 2020 in four pilot locations where UNDP will implement programming to facilitate peaceful reconciliation and reintegration of families perceived as formerly associated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). These four communities include Qaim and Habbaniyah in the western province of Anbar, Muhalabiya in the northern province of Ninewa, and Tuz Khurmato in the north-central province of Salah al-Din.
Jul 18, 2021
Climate action for human security
Al Hawizeh marshes and its communities are facing political, socio-economic and security challenges that could adversely impact efforts to promote sustainable development. The following challenges, coupled with the adverse impact of climate change, hinder the return of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from other governorates: Severe environmental degradation and a near total absence of the infrastructure required to support everyday life of communities. Lack of power supply. Lack of sewage treatment facilities, schools, clinics, and other public facilities. Lack of access to clean water supply or wastewater treatment or disposal. Lack of livelihood opportunities.
Jul 1, 2021
Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 in Iraq: Key findings
Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 in Iraq: Key findings is the final paper in a series of eight released by UNDP on the impact of COVID-19 in Iraq. Throughout the series, UNDP provides a multidimensional analysis on the impact of the pandemic and related shocks, current and past, on Iraq and its citizens. It recognizes that returning to a sustainable and inclusive development trajectory depends on addressing the root causes of fragility and provides a range of policy recommendations for all stakeholders in the recovery from the pandemic and economic crisis, anticipating that this would catalyse a holistic approach to realizing the SDGs.
Jul 6, 2021
Policy Paper on Financial Crime Investigations: An Integrated Approach
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Country Office in Iraq, with funding from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), is implementing a project titled ‘Strengthening Justice Sector Capacities to Uphold the Rule of Law in Iraq’. The goal of this project is to strengthen the competencies of investigative judges to lead and conduct complex organized crime and financial crime investigations, including money laundering, corruption, and illicit financing and to improve the policies and procedures for investigations and prosecutions of complex organized crime and financial crimes.
Jun 20, 2021
EXCUTIVE SUMMARY Model Police Station Pilot APRIL 2021
As part of the Government of Iraq’s (GoI) overall Security Sector Reform Programme, a key action is to devel-op the Iraqi local police to be more citizen-centred and service-oriented under a strategy known as the Local Police Service Road Map. In order to translate the recommendations and priorities from the Local Police Service Road Map into tangible efforts on the ground, the Ministry of Interior (MoI), in cooperation with UNDP, is undertaking the Model Police Station Pilot Initiative in a selected number of target locations in Anbar, Baghdad, Basra, and Ninewa governorates, with a view to replicate the concept over time. The purpose of the Model Police Station Pilot Initiative is to design a context-specific model to restore a responsive, effective, and accountable local police service, that is accessible to both men and women.
Jun 20, 2021
Policy Brief: Gender assessment in relation to Model Police Station Pilot Assessment
As part of the Government of Iraq’s (GoI) overall Security Sector Reform Programme, a key action is to develop the Iraqi local police to be more citizen-centred and service-oriented under a strategy known as the Local Police Service Road Map. In order to translate the recommendations and priorities from the Local Police Service Road Map into tangible efforts on the ground, the Ministry of Interior (MoI), in cooperation with UNDP, is undertaking the Model Police Station Pilot Initiative in a selected number of target locations in Anbar, Baghdad, Basra, and Ninewa governorates, with a view to replicate the concept over time. The purpose of the Model Police Station Pilot Initiative is to design a context-specific model to restore a responsive, effective, and accountable local police service, that is accessible to both men and women.
Jun 6, 2021
Impact of COVID-19 on Iraq’s Vulnerable Populations
One of two complementary reports released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report emanates from a study that explores the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on socio-economic status and livelihoods at the household level, with a focus on its impact on vulnerable groups such as women, youth, children, persons with disabilities, and displaced communities. It compares urban and rural settings and considers impacts in both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Jun 6, 2021
COVID-19 Response in Iraq - April 2020 to March 2021
In line with UNDP’s Global Integrated Response and the WHO Iraq Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, UNDP launched the project “Support for the COVID-19 Response in Iraq” in April 2020. To ensure agile, quality implementation in a rapidly evolving operational context, UNDP leveraged existing mechanisms and in-house resources to support its COVID-19 response in Iraq. The implementation of UNDP’s COVID-19 response has relied on the operational platforms of the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS), the Iraq Social Cohesion Programme and the UNDP Iraq Accelerator Lab. This report recaps cumulative progress one year since the Project’s initiation.
Jun 6, 2021
Findings of the Assessment of COVID-19’s Socioeconomic Impact on Iraq’s Vulnerable Populations
One of two complementary reports released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report emanate from a study that explores the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on socio-economic status and livelihoods at the household level, with a focus on its impact on vulnerable groups such as women, youth, children, persons with disabilities, and displaced communities. It compares urban and rural settings and considers impacts in both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Original data collected and presented in the first report, Findings of the Assessment of COVID-19’s Socioeconomic Impact on Iraq’s Vulnerable Populations forms the basis for the subsequent policy report: Impact of COVID-19 on Iraq’s Vulnerable Populations.
Jun 1, 2021
Funding Facility for Stabilization Annual Report 2020
In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) made steady progress in each of the five liberated governorates. With the support of 28 partners, up to the end of the year, FFS completed 2,678 stabilization projects in Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah al-Din, benefiting more than 11 million people. The programme saw a 31 percent increase in people benefitted compared to 2019. This reflects the completion of significant infrastructure rehabilitation projects started in previous years.
May 27, 2021
Public Perception Survey on Local Safety and Security in Iraq
In January 2021, UNDP conducted a survey on public perceptions of safety and security in Iraq. The survey is intended to inform the Government of Iraq’s Security Sector Reform Programme and is a follow-up from surveys undertaken in 2018 and 2016 to allow for comparison and assessment of changes on the ground. The 2021 survey was undertaken against a background of the COVID-19 health pandemic, the continuation of popular protest movements across Iraq, and ongoing counter insurgency operations against ISIL. Despite these challenges, the survey was administered to a random sample of 1,200 respondents that were representative across six governorates (Anbar, Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, Ninewa and Salah al-Din). The survey was structured around ten key questions, which sought to ascertain public perceptions of safety and security in the six governorates and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as popular protests, on feelings of security.
May 23, 2021
Fostering justice to curb corruption in Iraq
The EU-funded project Support to justice initiatives curbing corruption and promoting commercial dispute resolution builds on Iraq’s national efforts to improve transparency and accountability across state institutions and supports Iraq to deliver to its national and international commitments with regard to the fight against corruption. It aims to improve the country’s legislative and strategic framework for combatting corruption, supports the justice sector to better process corruption offences, and fosters the development of commercial courts and arbitration mechanisms. It also empowers Iraqi civil society to take a more active role.
May 10, 2021
Despite a year fraught with challenges including the outbreak of COVID-19, continuing conflict, an economic downturn due to declining oil prices, job loss, nationwide protests and deadly civil unrest, UNDP Iraq continued on its quest to create a fairer and just world for women and girls in Iraq, working alongside the Government of Iraq, Civil Society Organizations, women’s groups and UN sister agencies. This report provides a snapshot our achievements.
Mar 4, 2021
Pathways to Reintegration: Iraq Families Formerly Associated with ISIL
The effects of more than three years of occupation by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continue to pose significant challenges for security, development, and social cohesion in Iraq. Pathways to Reintegration: Iraq focuses on the reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are perceived to have family ties to ISIL, including the stigmatization these families may face while attempting to return to their communities.
Mar 3, 2021
COVID-19 Response in Iraq Bimonthly Update - October
In line with UNDP’s Global Integrated Response and the WHO Iraq Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, UNDP Iraq launched the project “Support for the COVID-19 Response in Iraq” in April 2020. To ensure agile, quality implementation in a rapidly evolving operational context, UNDP leveraged existing mechanisms and in-house resources to support its COVID-19 response in Iraq. The implementation of UNDP’s COVID-19 response makes use of the operational platforms of the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS), the Iraq Social Cohesion Programme and the UNDP Iraq Accelerator Lab.
Feb 28, 2021
Impact of COVID-19 on Environmental Sustainability in Iraq
Impact of COVID-19 on Environmental Sustainability in Iraq is the fifth in a series released by UNDP on the impact of COVID-19 in Iraq. It emphasises how the pandemic has exacerbated Iraq’s environmental fragility, which was already affected by legacies of conflict, lack of significant public sector and governance reforms, loss of development gains and illicit activity such as illegal hunting, fishing and logging, amongst other factors. It outlines how the virus has led to some negative environmental impacts, such as increased quantities of medical waste, but also positive impacts, such as temporary improvements in air quality and ecosystems. It also proposes how key drivers of fragility can be addressed over time.
Jan 28, 2021
Policy Brief: Community Security Integration Pilot (CSIP) in Iraq
The Community Security Integration Pilot (CSIP) was developed by UNDP's Security Sector Reform/Rule of Law Programme to address the needs of former volunteer fighters and their home communities following the demobilization of fighting forces in Iraq.
Jan 27, 2021
Impact of COVID-19 on social protection in Iraq
The impact of COVID-19 on social protection is the fourth in a series of policy papers examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Iraq. The first paper looked at the effects on fragility, the second examined the macroeconomic consequences, while the third reviewed the impact on social cohesion.
Aug 10, 2020
Impact of the Oil Crisis and COVID-19 on Iraq’s Fragility
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are especially severe for people in fragile countries where health systems, government structures and social safety nets are weak. The impacts both highlight and deepen social inequalities. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has produced a fragility analysis for Iraq to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic and diminishing oil revenues affect the country’s fragility. The analysis applies a multidimensional concept of fragility based on the methodology developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This policy paper summarizes the fragility analysis to inform current and future policy decisions and strategic priorities of the Government of Iraq, the United Nations system and donor partners.
