Japan Provides US$3.5 million in Support to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Response to IDP Crisis

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

Japan Provides US$3.5 million in Support to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Response to IDP Crisis

ERBIL, 21 February 2015 – The Government of Japan has announced two new projects to support the response to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) crisis in Iraq.

Since the beginning of 2014, an influx of more than 1 million IDPs into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has strained the welfare and security systems in Iraq’s northern governorates. These two projects will be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), to assist in responding to the emergency needs of the increased influx of IDPs.

Through the provision of new solar street lights and the rehabilitation and equipping of community police stations, the Government of Japan will help increase and improve access to safety and security for IDPs, refugees and host communities in northern Iraq.

It is my great honour to announce that the Government of Japan has decided to extend grant assistance (USD 3,400,000) through UNOPS in order to support the most vulnerable people in Iraq," said Ambassador of Japan to Iraq, H.E. Mr. Fumio IWAI. “Through the projects, more than 300 solar street lights will be installed in the most critical areas and construction or rehabilitation of 30 community police stations in the region will be done. I sincerely hope that our contribution enhances safety and security in the region.”
In 2015, the Government of Japan extended assistance through UNOPS by providing 20 ambulances that improved the access of IDPs and vulnerable people to the emergency health service.
UNOPS has been present in Iraq since 2004, working in the areas of project management, human rights, civil society development, elections, rule of law, and operational support to UN agencies. UNOPS has been supporting the response to the IDP crisis in Iraq since 2014.
IDPs constitute around 20 percent of the current population of Iraqi Kurdistan Region. In total, the Kurdistan Regional Government provides assistance to nearly 1 million IDPs and refugees.