Republished from state.gov.
On July 20, the United States will join with Canada, Germany and Japan to co-host a Pledging Conference in Washington, D.C. in Support of Iraq. The reports from Fallujah in recent days on the grave humanitarian situation for those displaced, as Iraqi Security Forces continue their successes against Da’esh in the city, are just the most recent reminder of the human toll this conflict has had on vulnerable civilians. It also reinforces the urgent need for the international community to continue to support humanitarian and stabilization efforts in Iraq.
Through its cooperation with the Iraqi government and the International Coalition, the UN has established the Fund for Immediate Stabilization (FFIS) in Iraq, which supports the implementation of rapid stabilization projects. FFIS has been used in Tikrit, Ramadi, Sinuni, Rabia, al-Dawr, Mkeishifa and Sa’adiyah to help restore electricity and water service, clear rubble, rehabilitate schools and health clinics and help get business in shape to re-open. In part due to these efforts, more than 743,000 displaced Iraqis have been able to return to their homes, but much more is needed. Due to the conflict and upheaval since January 2014, more than 3.3 million people are now displaced throughout Iraq and more than half are children. Across the country, over 10 million people are in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
The highly prioritized United Nations 2016 Iraq Humanitarian Response Plan calls for $861 million to support frontline humanitarian programs, but it is only 36 percent funded. The UN has already closed several lifesaving programs and has warned that, without immediate additional funding, it will be forced to close dozens more as soon as this month. The goal of the July 20 Pledging Conference is to garner much-needed financial contributions to address the challenges faced by the Iraqi people and to ensure the lasting defeat of Da’esh in Iraq. The international community has provided a significant amount of humanitarian assistance for Iraqis, with the United States alone providing more than $778 million since fiscal year 2014, and having announced as additional $20 million in humanitarian assistance on June 21. The United States will make a substantial humanitarian and stabilization pledge during the conference, and we look to other nations to join us in this effort.
For further information, please contact the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, at RodriguezPA@state.gov.
