Iraq

Canada's Commitment
Results
Country Profile

Canada's Commitment

Early in 2003, Canada joined the international effort to provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq with a total commitment of up to $300 million (2003-2010). The goal of the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Iraq reconstruction program is to support the development of a stable, self-governing and prosperous Iraq, which has a democratic government representative of the people and respectful of human rights and gender equality. Canada's assistance focuses on the following priorities:

• help Iraq rebuild its social and economic base;
• help Iraq develop effective governance and security structures, ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law, and promote gender equality; and
• promote regional democratic development.

To date, a total of $204 million of the $300 million has been disbursed ($43 million in 2005-2006). Canada is strongly committed to a multilateral approach to Iraq. Our multilateral commitment is reflected in: the channelling of a substantive contribution through multilateral institutions; our position as the fourth largest donor to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI); and our role as Chair of IRFFI. In addition to providing for immediate humanitarian needs, our multilateral assistance has supported enhanced education and health services, the promotion of human rights, and the development of Iraq's electoral process. While support for multilateralism and our role as Chair of IRFFI remain central to Canada's position in Iraq, we continue to deliver a strong bilateral assistance program. Our bilateral program has focused on a number of initiatives including: training Iraqi police officers; supporting the constitutional referendum and subsequent national elections by the International Mission for Iraqi Elections; developing the capacities of non-governmental organizations; and providing governance support for targeted Iraqi institutions.

In the years to come, Canada will be putting more emphasis on its foreign policy priorities for fragile states through increased support for governance and human rights, including women's rights. With our focus on governance, we hope to strengthen Iraq's capacity to use aid more effectively and to reach the objectives stated in Iraq's National Development Strategy.

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Results

By focusing on our program priorities, CIDA funding has led to positive results in many areas including: providing essential support for strengthening basic education; developing maternal and child care in Kerbala; rehabilitating water and sanitation systems; enhancing the institutional capacities of Iraqi non-governmental organizations; training thousands of police officers; and supporting Iraqi civil society to implement human rights education initiatives that promote and defend human rights.

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Country Profile

The aftermath of the 2003 war in Iraq, compounded by its eight-year war with Iran (1980-1988), the Gulf War (1990-1991), and the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council against the former regime, have left Iraq with significant social, economic, and political challenges. As outlined in the 2005 National Development Strategy, the new democratic Government of Iraq is aiming to enhance the country's prosperity by focusing on: strengthening economic growth; revitalizing the private sector; improving the quality of life, including enhanced education and health; and strengthening good governance and improving security.