International organization: Development plans to confront long-term economic challenges in Iraq

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[size=52]International organization: Development plans to confront long-term economic challenges in Iraq[/size]

[size=45]Translated by / Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]In its annual report on Iraq and the implementation of its drawn-up strategic plan, the World Food Program (WFP) stated that in the year 2023 it presented its broader development vision for its activities in Iraq, which focuses on adapting to the consequences of climate change and facing economic and social challenges, in line with the country’s priorities set for the year 2030.[/size]
[size=45]The report indicated that Iraq has faced major protection challenges over the past two decades due to conditions of battles and violence. Following the transition towards development, the problems of protecting the humanitarian aspect of some affected segments still exist, including food security, loss of sources of livelihood, and limited access to basic services, which necessitates finding sustainable solutions to these situations.[/size]
[size=45]The organization stated in its report that the recent political stability and improved security situation, although fragile, have created opportunities for Iraq to move forward towards long-term development. However, securing the food situation is still one of the most important challenges for Iraq. The adverse effects of climate change have affected the country's agricultural production, represented by increased concentration of salinity, desertification, and decreased water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates, causing a reduction in arable areas. The consequences of this were difficult for poor segments of society, including peasant families, especially those who depend on land and water for their financial income.[/size]
[size=45]In response to these challenges, and through its strategic plan for the country for the year 2020-2024, the organization implemented creative solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and address the high unemployment rate among the youth segment, while creating an appropriate ground for the spirit of initiative that contributes to supporting Iraq’s efforts to achieve agricultural sufficiency and food security, and also works to develop the skills of displaced families. They are returning to areas affected by climate change to help them rebuild their agricultural livelihoods.[/size]
[size=45]The organization indicates in its report that despite the decline in funding for emergency response activities, the World Food Program has maintained its pledge to provide direct support to the most affected segments of the displaced and returnees, as well as those who lack their civil identity documents, in order to reintegrate them into society and include them in the national social protection network.[/size]
[size=45]In southern Iraq, where the consequences of climate change are being felt more than other regions, the World Food Programme, in partnership with the local government of Basra Governorate, the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, and the University of Basra, established a nursery on an area of ​​land on the sea tide to produce seedlings of a plant, mangrove, at a rate of one million seedlings per year. It is a plant that repels and combats heat waves, preserves aquatic life, and preserves the livelihood resources of agricultural communities in the region. This nursery will also help the government follow through on its pledge to plant 5 million trees of this plant by 2028.[/size]
[size=45]As part of expanding afforestation projects, the organization supported the Sarganar nursery in Sulaymaniyah by increasing its production by 1,000% to more than 1.5 million seedlings, while installing 12 greenhouses and a solar energy system to ensure continuity of irrigation. This program helps the livelihood of 130 families and contributes to restoring agricultural lands and increasing the area of ​​forests in order to reduce the consequences of climate change.[/size]
[size=45]In governorates such as Anbar, Diyala and Basra, the World Food Program has introduced new agricultural methods using panels in glass houses instead of soil in order to help local farmers reduce water use while using chemical fertilizers in order to increase production.[/size]
[size=45]The organization also launched sustainable solutions to preserve the natural aspect and environmental diversity in the marsh area by creating socio-economic opportunities for the families of the affected marsh residents. It supported 2,511 farmers by rehabilitating agricultural lands, extending water channels, and equipping them with irrigation systems.[/size]
[size=45]Given that the youth segment constitutes 60% of the population of Iraq, the training program, in partnership with the Jusoor initiative, supported more than 1,950 thousand unemployed young people from various regions through training and qualification courses, including language learning and computer skills, to facilitate their entry into the market and obtain... On a job opportunity, and in order to achieve this, the organization built successful partnerships with the private sector and academic bodies to develop young people’s knowledge and technological skills while financing small projects that they manage.[/size]
[size=45]During the year 2023, the World Food Program supported 20 training centers across 14 governorates, benefiting more than 35,800 young people, half of whom were women and girls, along with young people from different backgrounds from the affected communities. Surveys among the trainees showed that 77% of them stated that the training courses helped them obtain Job opportunities in the local market.[/size]
[size=45]The organization indicated in its report that the main donor countries to support the World Food Program plan in the country are Germany, Sweden, the European Union, Ireland, Japan, and Canada.[/size]
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