Netherlands allocates €48 million to support IDPs and host communities in Iraq

The programme focuses on services for refugees, IDPs, returnees and their host-communities in Iraq.

Wladimir van Wilgenburg 2024/01/10 23:56

UN logo pattern a background at the United Nations headquarters. (Photo: AP)

Iraq Dutch Embassy in Iraq Netherlands Hans Sandee IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan Region IDPs

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Ambassador of the Netherlands in Iraq, Hans Sandee, and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, on Wednesday launched a new phase of the Netherlands-funded PROSPECTS programme in Iraq.

The Netherlands made available a budget of EUR 48 million for programming in education and skills training, employment, protection, and critical infrastructure for refugees, IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) citing conflict in host communities in the Kurdistan Region, over the next four years.

The programme focuses on services for refugees, IDPs, returnees and their host-communities in Iraq and builds on experience since 2019, in coordination with local and national authorities.

“Over the next five years, the Netherlands will continue to support refugees and IDPs in Iraq to deal with the many challenges they face in their lives. We will support them in accessing jobs, education, training, and support in assuring civil documentation,” Hans Sandee, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Iraq, said.

“Furthermore, we will extend the PROSPECTS programme by including activities on water infrastructure and housing. By combining the delivery of services to support policy reforms, we aim for displaced and host communities to lead more prosperous lives”, Sandee said.

International programmes and support to improve socio-economic conditions for the 1.1 million IDPs, 300,000 refugees and 8,000 stateless persons in Iraq remains important and a priority for the Dutch government and the United Nations.

However, the Kurdistan Region hosts the majority of these IDPs and refugees, with about one million IDPs and refugees currently in the Region.

While Baghdad has shut down most of the camps under its control and wants to also close down IDP camps in the Kurdistan Region, Kurdish officials have underlined that the return of refugees and IDPs should be voluntary and free of coercion.