HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS in iraq

The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security

The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security  (NGOWG) works in partnership with women human rights defenders, peacebuilders and civil society leaders from conflict affected countries to advocate for the full and equal participation of women in all efforts to create and maintain international peace and security, as well as for the respect of women’s human rights.

In Iraq, based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for the Government of Iraq to clarify their shelter policies, in order to allow and support Iraqi NGOs in their efforts to operate shelters and provide much needed services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Further, the NGOWG urges the Security Council to ensure that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is regularly engaging with women’s organizations and will continue to take concrete steps to support women’s participation in all peace and security processes.

civil society organizations in iraq

The NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq

The NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI) is a member-led organization established in 2003 to coordinate principled, collective NGO action in order to foster development, address humanitarian needs, and promote respect for rights in Iraq. NCCI serves its more than 180 national and international NGO members with coordination, advocacy, government liaison services, and NGO capacity building. NCCI has offices in Geneva, Baghdad and Erbil.

International NGO Safety Organisation

The International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international charity that supports the safety of aid workers in high risk contexts. In Iraq, INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

Iraq Child Rights Network

The Iraq Child Rights Network is a national alliance of non-governmental organizations and activists that focuses on needs specific to children in Iraq. The Network was founded in 2005 with the support of UNICEF, several NGOs including Save the Children UK, Terre des Hommes Italia, and Iraqi civil society organizations.

The network is committed to ensuring that each Iraqi child enjoys a stable, safe, and developed childhood through coordinating with the official bodies to activate laws concerned with children in Iraq according to humanitarian standards based on the international children conventions.

Civil Development Organization

Civil Development Organization (CDO) is a non-governmental, national, humanitarian, independent and non-profit organization founded in 1999CDO’s vision is to establish a civil society in Iraqi community through building capacity of civil society organisations in Iraq, promoting democracy and peace promotion, developing human right situation, combating violence against women, increasing women political participation, presenting legal aid to the vulnerable groups and advocate on behalf of the local community.

DEVELOPMENT Organizations in IRAQ

International Rescue Committee

Since 2003, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been helping Iraqis and Syrian refugees who have been displaced by conflict to survive and empowers communities to rebuild. In addition to providing internally displaced residents of Iraq—now seeking shelter in the Kurdish region of the country—with water and hygiene resources, the IRC is also working in Syrian refugee camps. There, they are offering education and legal services to women and children who have also fled the violence in their country.

World Vision Iraq

 World Vision is one of the world’s largest Christian humanitarian organizations, and is currently working to provide displaced Iraqis with food, water, sanitation, shelter and safety. Since 2004, World Vision Iraq has been working with the vulnerable children of Iraq, their families and communities.

 Currently, World Vision Iraq has a commitment to bring hope and help to children and communities in the country through a range of holistic, integrated projects that promote change and improve well-being. Last year, over 937,000 children and adults benefited from World Vision Iraq’s programmes in Food, Health, Education, Protection, WASH and Livelihoods, which currently operate in 5 governorates throughout Iraq. 

Save the Children

Save the Children has been operational in Iraq since 1991. They respond to the humanitarian, recovery and development needs of children and families that have been affected by conflict. This includes assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), communities hosting IDPs, returnees and refugees who need access to basic and immediate assistance. They also have cash programming and work in communities to restore water and sanitation facilities and infrastructure.

From 2019 - 2021, they will implement their new Country Strategic Plan, which is a multi-year program on rebuilding resilience and social cohesion in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and politically disputed locations in Ninewa and Kirkuk.  A consortium has been formed with a key focus on improving systems on child protection and education through the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Social and Labor Affairs (MoLSA).

Action Contre Le Faim (Action Against Hunger)

Action Contre Le Faim (ACF) supports Syrian refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities in Iraq. Their teams employ a multi sector approach, combining all fields of expertise.  The French organisation focuses on the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene programmes, including the rehabilitation of drainage and water networks, schools and health facilities, the distribution of hygiene kits and shelter, and promotion of hygiene. Their food security and livelihoods programmes include learning programmes, as well as providing business grants, cash for work, kitchen garden development and the construction or rehabilitation of greenhouse and irrigation systems.  

HUMANITARIAN AID ORGANISATIONS in iraq

The International Committee of the Red Cross

In Iraq, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helps displaced people, refugees and civilians in places affected by fighting during the times of crisis. ICRC improves access to clean water and health care, visit detainees and enable them to maintain contact with their families and support the authorities’ efforts to clarify the fate of people missing from earlier conflicts.

Médecins Sans Frontières

Since 2003, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been offering services in Iraq ranging from basic healthcare and treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to maternity, paediatric and emergency care, surgery and mental health support for displaced people, returnees and communities most affected by violence. MSF also rehabilitates and equips hospitals and clinics in some of the most war-affected regions to help get the Iraqi health system back on its feet.

CARE Iraq

CARE plays a crucial role in four camps in northern Iraq by organising the supply of clean water for Internally Displaced People (IDP) and their host communities. CARE has also improved access to sanitation facilities in camps and for host communities, as well as providing emergency kits to new arrivals in camps. Women, girls and boys receive solar lamps to ensure protection and safety at night. To date, CARE’s work in these camps has reached more than 45,000 people.

Islamic Relief Iraq

Islamic Relief began working in Iraq in 1997 and was one of the few international aid agencies that continued working there throughout military incursions and the invasion in 2003. Their priority is to provide much-needed emergency support for displaced people, returnees, host communities and refugees in Anbar, Fallujah, Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Saleheddin, Dohu, and around Erbil.