STRENGTHENING THE ANKAWA HUMANITARIAN COMMITTEE
PROVINCES
Erbil
LIFE OF ACTIVITY
Oct 2020 – Sept 2024
USAID FUNDING
$3.5 million
IMPLEMENTING PARTNER
Ankawa Humanitarian Committee (AHC)
OVERVIEW
The violent multi-year occupation by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) of the north of Iraq forced many religious and ethnic minority groups to flee to the Iraqi Kurdistan capital of Erbil and elsewhere in the country. The Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil was one of the first to respond to these families in need.
GOALS
The Ankawa Humanitarian Committee (AHC), established in 2020 by the Archdiocese with support from USAID, is a nongovernmental organization that provides relief programs for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq. USAID directly supports the AHC by strengthening its organizational management and building its skills for helping vulnerable populations. This has enhanced AHC’s ability to assist IDPs and to receive U.S. Government and other donor resources. AHC also helps IDPs start their own microbusinesses.
IMPACT
- An AHC market assessment supported the livelihoods of IDPs helped register 158 microbusiness initiatives.
- AHC distributed emergency cash to over 200 families following December 2021 flooding in Erbil.
- AHC is installing water filters in four schools to avoid use of plastic water bottles.
- Climate awareness sessions for 15 farmers in Duhok promoted glass over plastic greenhouses and new ways to reduce water consumption.
- With support from AHC, 800 trees were planted in Erbil and 300 in Duhok.
- AHC organized vocational training for new graduates on soft skills and self-development.
