Erbil, Iraq, 25 July 2015 —With the humanitarian crisis in Iraq deteriorating by the week and funding reduced to alarmingly low levels, the Government of Japan has stepped in to provide vital support to the most vulnerable, who continue to suffer from increasing violence.
The Government of Japan has announced a contribution of US $1.5 million to improve water, sanitation and education facilities for internally displaced people (IDPs) in three governorates of Iraq. “The Government of Japan’s generous donation will meet the needs of more than 18,000 vulnerable people in Duhok, Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah Governorates,” said UNICEF Iraq Country Representative, Colin MacInnes.
The Government of Japan has positioned gender equality as one of its development priorities. This grant will help to ensure that girls do not miss out on the protection afforded by Child Friendly Spaces because the facilities lack privacy.
It will provide vital sanitation facilities for UNICEF’s Child Friendly Spaces in all 18 of Duhok’s IDP camps. “Child Friendly Spaces protect children, as well as enable them to play and continue learning,” said Mr.
MacInnes. “Yet too often, lack of separate sanitation facilities keeps girls away. This donation will ensure that both girls and boys can take advantage of Child Friendly Spaces.” In Sulaymaniyah the Government of Japan will support UNICEF in providing critical water and sanitation facilities for nearly 15,000 people in three IDP camps. The project will be implemented in close coordination with local and regional authorities and will increase the resilience of displaced families.
In places such as Kirkuk, ongoing displacement has increased the economic vulnerability of already poor regions. In response to a request from the Kirkuk Directorate of Education, UNICEF will use part of Japan’s contribution to upgrade an existing school in Bawa camp, benefitting around 2,000 children. It will ensure that the sanitation facilities are gender friendly and that the school has adequate classroom supplies. “Even before this conflict, Kirkuk Governorate was marked by high poverty rates,” Mr. MacInnes explained. “We are grateful that the Government and people of Japan recognize the burden that this massive displacement puts on already vulnerable communities, and has stepped forward to help them.”
More than 3.1 million people are now displaced within Iraq, about half of them children. More than eight million require humanitarian assistance. That number is expected to rise to 10 million by year’s end.
For more information, please contact:
Jeffrey Bates
Chief of Communications and Strategic Partnerships
UNICEF Iraq Cell: +964 (0) 7801964524
Email: jbates@unicef.org