WASHINGTON DC, United States - Through an Identity Management System, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) saved millions of dollars per month for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) by eliminating ghost employees and cases of fraud. The agency is implementing different humanitarian, economic, and development programs in the Region, and has requested $156 million for its programs in Iraq and the Region from its 2023 budget; a higher figure than previous years.
“USAID provides technical assistance to the Government of Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government to strengthen governance and public financial management, bolster transparency, and improve the delivery of essential services to Iraqi citizens,” a spokesperson for USAID told Rudaw in May.
Regarding the technical assistance they provide to the Region, “USAID helped develop an Identity Management System that saved millions of dollars per month for the KRG by eliminating ghost employees and cases of fraud. Our economic growth programs work with the KRG and the private sector to support the growth of small and medium enterprises to grow Kurdistan's economy and create jobs,” they continued.
According to the Kurdistan Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC), the total number of registered IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region stands at 925,532, and USAID has helped the Region in humanitarian areas by responding to the humanitarian crises in Iraq since 2014, following the conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS) which led to the mass displacement of civilians across the country.
‘’USAID humanitarian assistance in IKR (Kurdistan Region) supports the most vulnerable conflict-affected internally displaced populations (IDP) and includes the provision of health; water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter; and protection services; as well as emergency food aid for IDPs and refugees,” the spokesperson said. “USAID humanitarian assistance is largely focused on IDP camps and a smaller number of informal settlements and refugee camps.’’
For the 2023 financial year, the budget request includes $156 million for economic and development programming in Iraq. “These funds will support programming implemented by USAID and the Department of State,” the agency spokesperson told Rudaw. “The requested funds will support inclusive economic growth programming, encourage the development of strong democratic institutions and processes, and assist the Government of Iraq in responding to shocks like COVID-19 and the climate crisis. Programs will also continue to support the communities recovering from the devastation caused by ISIS, including women, youth, and marginalized populations disproportionately impacted by the conflict.’’
The agency is already implementing a variety of programs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. “Currently, USAID and the Department of State are implementing $150 million in economic and development assistance in Iraq this year. Our programming often focuses on multiple regions of the country, including the IKR. In the IKR, we are working to strengthen governance and public financial management, increase the efficiency of public service provision, promote a private sector economy and create jobs.’’
Between 2021 and 2022, USAID provided nearly $98 million in humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, and the sustainability of USAID relies on collaboration with the KRG. “USAID works closely with the KRG,” the USAID spokesperson told Rudaw. “Our programs in Iraq are generally implemented by non-governmental organizations, international organizations and contractors that often provide technical assistance to and collaborate closely with governmental entities. We believe that solving the challenges the IKR faces will take all factions working together to develop sustainable solutions.”
USAID is one of the largest official aid agencies in the world with a $27 billion annual budget. The agency is supported by the US government and has missions in over 100 countries.
“USAID provides technical assistance to the Government of Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government to strengthen governance and public financial management, bolster transparency, and improve the delivery of essential services to Iraqi citizens,” a spokesperson for USAID told Rudaw in May.
Regarding the technical assistance they provide to the Region, “USAID helped develop an Identity Management System that saved millions of dollars per month for the KRG by eliminating ghost employees and cases of fraud. Our economic growth programs work with the KRG and the private sector to support the growth of small and medium enterprises to grow Kurdistan's economy and create jobs,” they continued.
According to the Kurdistan Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC), the total number of registered IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region stands at 925,532, and USAID has helped the Region in humanitarian areas by responding to the humanitarian crises in Iraq since 2014, following the conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS) which led to the mass displacement of civilians across the country.
‘’USAID humanitarian assistance in IKR (Kurdistan Region) supports the most vulnerable conflict-affected internally displaced populations (IDP) and includes the provision of health; water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter; and protection services; as well as emergency food aid for IDPs and refugees,” the spokesperson said. “USAID humanitarian assistance is largely focused on IDP camps and a smaller number of informal settlements and refugee camps.’’
For the 2023 financial year, the budget request includes $156 million for economic and development programming in Iraq. “These funds will support programming implemented by USAID and the Department of State,” the agency spokesperson told Rudaw. “The requested funds will support inclusive economic growth programming, encourage the development of strong democratic institutions and processes, and assist the Government of Iraq in responding to shocks like COVID-19 and the climate crisis. Programs will also continue to support the communities recovering from the devastation caused by ISIS, including women, youth, and marginalized populations disproportionately impacted by the conflict.’’
The agency is already implementing a variety of programs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. “Currently, USAID and the Department of State are implementing $150 million in economic and development assistance in Iraq this year. Our programming often focuses on multiple regions of the country, including the IKR. In the IKR, we are working to strengthen governance and public financial management, increase the efficiency of public service provision, promote a private sector economy and create jobs.’’
Between 2021 and 2022, USAID provided nearly $98 million in humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, and the sustainability of USAID relies on collaboration with the KRG. “USAID works closely with the KRG,” the USAID spokesperson told Rudaw. “Our programs in Iraq are generally implemented by non-governmental organizations, international organizations and contractors that often provide technical assistance to and collaborate closely with governmental entities. We believe that solving the challenges the IKR faces will take all factions working together to develop sustainable solutions.”
USAID is one of the largest official aid agencies in the world with a $27 billion annual budget. The agency is supported by the US government and has missions in over 100 countries.
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