Iraq
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Photo: Nigel Downes for Mercy Corps
Our strategy
Strengthen civil society and local government capacity, and provide the building blocks for a safe and thriving democracy, including education, basic services and human rights.
The context
The road to a new Iraq is fraught with challenges and citizens struggle to survive against a backdrop of political dysfunction, infighting and potential civil war. Little of Iraq’s vast oil wealth is spent on basic services. Electricity is an ongoing problem, water is in short supply, and large communities of displaced families lack water, shelter and proper hygiene facilities.
Our work
- Economic opportunity: Partnering with local groups to finance 1,577 community projects spearheaded by citizens
- Conflict & Governance: Encouraging reconciliation and good governance by empowering local leaders to resolve disputes and reform policies
- Emergency response: Providing food and water to internally displaced Iraqis
- Women & Gender: Equiping more than 26,000 women and girls with basic literacy and numeracy skills as well as information about democracy and women’s rights
All stories about Iraq
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Iraq: My meeting with Vice President Biden July 6, 2009
I met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden last Friday in a small roundtable discussion to discuss reconciliation in Iraq. Three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were represented — Relief International, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting and Mercy Corps.
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Iraq: Getting to "yes" in Iraq July 1, 2009
Iraqis are celebrating on the streets as the U.S. withdraws its troops from the major urban areas of Iraq, but the fresh violence in Kirkuk serves as a sober reminder of the country's still fragile security condition.
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Iraq: Ned Lamont calls out Mercy Corps' work on The Huffington Post June 30, 2009
Today Ned Lamont — businessman, former Democratic Senate candidate in Connecticut and Mercy Corps board member — called out Mercy Corps' work with Iraqi refugees in an insightful piece on Huffington
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Iraq: From Kansas to Cairo June 5, 2009
Listening to President Obama's speech in Cairo yesterday, I was struck by how many themes resonated with what Mercy Corps is doing in the Middle East.
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Iraq: Kirkuk Women Are Building Peace March 13, 2009
Mercy Corps is training women in Kirkuk, Iraq to become leaders and work cooperatively against violence and hatred.
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Iraq: Resolving Conflict Peacefully March 4, 2009
When violence tears a country apart, communication and compromise are often the first casualties. Mercy Corps believes that engaging adversaries in productive dialogue can lead to peaceful, lasting change for war-torn communities.
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Iraq, Jordan: Food packages help Iraqi refugees January 5, 2009
Since the start of the 2003 war in Iraq, almost half a million Iraqis have sought refuge in Jordan. Many arrived with little more than what they were carrying. Jordan is a small and resource-scarce country and the influx of so many refugees has strained public services.
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Iraq: Laying the Groundwork for Peace in Iraq September 25, 2008
Last Sunday marked the eighth annual International Day of Peace. Here in Khanaqin, Iraq, we celebrated by holding a soccer match between two groups of people who don't always play for the same team.
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Iraq: Campaigning for Iraq's Disabled June 6, 2008
Editor's Note: This originally appeared on The NBC Nightly News and on MSNBC, and can also be seen at
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Iraq: Mercy Corps Calls for Greater Response to Dire Humanitarian Situation in Iraq April 9, 2008