Iraq is an upper-middle-income country, ranking 134 out of 204 countries in the Human Development Index 2021-22. 

Opportunities are lacking for young people, who are key to unlocking the country’s potential growth. The national poverty rate has reached 24.8 percent, and in some governorates it is over 50 percent. 

While the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance has decreased, 1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) and over 286,000 Syrian refugees are among those needing support. Secondary displacement is not uncommon due to security and livelihood issues.

 

Climate change is severely affecting agricultural productivity and thereby food security, especially in the south, with rising salinization, increased desertification and reduced water flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. 

Other factors such as rapid population growth and inefficient food systems threaten Iraq’s food security and the achievement of zero hunger.  

In a strategic shift, the World Food Programme is evolving from crisis response to resilience building and long-term sustainable development. 

We are strengthening  social protection, skills development and livelihood projects for vulnerable communities, in addition to providing smaller-scale emergency assistance for IDPs and refugees. 

WFP is further helping the Government to enhance people's self-reliance and food security, promoting longer-term social cohesion, peace and development. We work with partners to tackle the impact of climate change while building the capacity of the Government to respond to shocks and create sustainable livelihoods.

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What the World Food Programme is doing in Iraq

Crisis response

WFP provides food assistance to Syrian refugees and recent returnees from displacement, through cash-based transfers, food or e-vouchers, depending on people’s needs. WFP supports 38,000 Syrian refugees and over 2,200 returnees with food assistance. We also support pregnant and breastfeeding women, and their infants, in the south of the country. WFP works with other agencies to support the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in integrating IDPs into the national social safety net, while also partnering with the Government’s Public Distribution System, so IDPs receive their rations closer to where they are based.

Publications

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In focus

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Iraq is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
European Commission (ECHO and INTPA) Germany USA Japan Canada

Operations in Iraq

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Contacts

Office

UN Compound, International Zone
Baghdad
Iraq

Email
WFP.Iraq@wfp.org
For media inquiries
deniz.akkus@wfp.org
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