WFP Iraq Country Brief, September 2023

In Numbers

13,075 people assisted in September 2023

USD 349,179 cash-based transfers made

USD 62.3 million six months (October 2023 - March 2024) net funding requirements

Operational Updates

General Food Assistance

• In September 2023, WFP provided cash assistance to over 2,800 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Jada'a 1 camp to meet their food security needs. During September, WFP assisted over 600 IDPs, who recently arrived in Jada’a 1 camp with cash and assorted food commodities supplementing the hot meals provided by the Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MoMD).

• WFP distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to more than 5,000 returnees lacking civil documentation in Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Ninawa governorates. Additionally, in collaboration with UN-Women, 1,715 breastfeeding women and girls in Muthana Governorate received cash assistance to meet their basic food and nutrition needs.

Economic Empowerment, Livelihoods Support and Climate Change

• Under the national Jousour Programme, WFP provided English Language training for over 500 participants during September. Additionally, in partnership with the Polytechnic Universities in Erbil and Duhok Governorates, and with Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid, an NGO partner in Anbar Governorate, WFP celebrated the successful graduation of 140 participants. A job fair was organized for the graduates to acquaint them with the current job market opportunities.

• As part of the climate change activities, WFP supported the newly established Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Environment (MoEn) with technical equipment such as laptops and printers to enhance the capacity of the MoEn and its staff to respond to climate change and climate risks through adaptation and mitigation measures. In September, WFP supported a training held at the Ministry of Planning (MoP) on early warning systems and emergency response plans for climate risks. The training was attended by representatives from various Governmental entities and international organizations. Additionally, a 2-day workshop will be conducted by the Inter-ministerial Working Group led by the MoEn in October to activate and strengthen the cooperation and coordination between the ministerial sectors working on climatic data and evidence products.