Oxfam's work in Iraq in depth

Chronic insecurity disrupts every aspect of daily life for people in Iraq. Because of the difficulty of working in such a hazardous environment for international and national staff, Oxfam does not have a presence in the country, but works entirely through international and local partner organisations.

Oxfam in Iraq

We are building the capacity of Iraqi civil society organisations to respond to the needs of the country, by training and equipping aid workers. By working with others, we are meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable people in provinces worst hit by violence. For example, our partner in Fallujah has renovated and equipped primary health-care clinics. We are also part of a wider network which advocates and co-ordinates response to the humanitarian challenges of Iraq.

Strengthening civil society

Through the Italian Consortium of Solidarity (ICS), Oxfam is enabling six Iraqi organisations to respond to humanitarian and emergency needs; to play a greater role in cultural and economic activities; and to contribute to Iraq’s democratic future and serve as peace-building bodies within their communities. The work includes training staff in all aspects of running an efficient and responsive organisation.

An initiative to promote women’s rights in Iraq’s new constitution involved training members of ten women’s groups in advocacy and media work. From these sessions, the women put forward their recommendations for respecting women’s rights and equality to the Iraqi National Assembly.

Emergency health care

Oxfam continues to work with Première Urgence to provide basic emergency health services for people affected by the war. They have already renovated 20 clinics in Fallujah and supplied them with equipment and essential drugs, as part of an effort to provide better care to patients and to be prepared for emergencies. Première Urgence also improves water and sanitation facilities in cities so that more people have clean water and get their sewage systems repaired. In addition, it provides medical aid to people in southern Baghdad.

Health assistance is continuing in Al-Anbar province and other hotspots of lawlessness and violence.

Conflict resolution

In the last year, a local Iraqi NGO, with the support of Oxfam, has successfully implemented a programme that begins to address the tensions between Palestinian refugees and the host community living in the Baladiyyat area in Baghdad.

Policy for change

Oxfam continues to work closely with other NGOs at policy level, to ensure the rights of Iraqi people, particularly those who are displaced. We are also on the board of the NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCI).

Last updated: July 08