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NEWS REPORT

Regional Instability Impacting Economic Resilience of Iraqi Families

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released a report warning that the ongoing regional conflict has negated the economic recovery of Iraqi families impacted by ISIS. The report recommends that "efforts should be aimed at buffering the impact of regional instability on private sector recovery in Iraq, with a focus on areas where livelihoods have been disrupted by past conflict and ongoing environmental degradation."

The report continues, many "face economic insecurity as they rely on irregular earnings or subsistence agriculture and have limited access to water and public services, making them vulnerable to macroeconomic shocks."

"The Israel-Gaza crisis has led to further polarization in the region and discontent in several Arab and Muslim countries... In Iraq, the number of explosions and instances of remote violence increased by 51 percent... (Meanwhile) the war in Ukraine has profoundly impacted global food markets... Iraq imports a significant portion of its food supply and has faced soaring prices since March 2022, particularly in staples such as wheat and cooking oil. This situation has put considerable strain on Iraqi households, who were already grappling with economic challenges and food insecurity before the conflict."

Thankfully, this is where SWIC comes in! Our speciality is livelihood projects which help Christians families survive these challenges.

Yes, I want to help SWIC restore a livelihood for a family in need

Report notes that

In Nineveh (home to Iraq's last Christians),

Only 36% of those who returned home after fleeing ISIS can afford to buy food

Pray for impoverished Christian families that they may put food on their table this day and in the future.

Only 4% have any type of savings

Pray for economic renewal that Christian families can provide for life's unexpected needs, be it for health, school, food, etc.

Recently in Iraq

"The Federal Supreme Court of Iraq ruled on a set of cases pertaining to the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) electoral law. The Court declared that the 11 parliamentary reserved seats for minorities were unconstitutional... The Court's decision is not actually about Christians... The decision reflects the country's pro-Iranian elements attempt to use Christians and other minorities as pawns in a powerplay between the autonomous Kurdistan Region, dominated by the KDP, and the federal government in Baghdad... The areas of northern Iraq (Nineveh) where Christians and other indigenous minorities like Yazidis, Shabak, and Turkmen are most visible remains a seam in the line of control between the KRG and Baghdad.... The loss of reserved seats will contribute to further marginalization, alienation and exodus, which will only further weaken the standing of Christians and other minorities. "

Read more here.

"Iraq is currently grappling with a severe education crisis. Despite constitutional provisions and ministerial laws mandating free education at all levels, millions of children are being denied access to education. At the onset of the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Iraqi government drastically reduced or cut assistance to 5.2 million children, according to a new report by the Norwegian Council for the Displaced... The province of Nineveh, the second most populous in Iraq, has witnessed a staggering 32 percent reduction in the number of teachers... Cutting the number of teachers resulted in an increase in the number of children leaving school prematurely... Also, half of the school buildings were destroyed during the four-year conflict. 'And the current government has failed to take any major efforts toward rebuilding them,' the KTU leader added."