US announces over $150 million in Iraqi aid

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The United States announced Friday it has dedicated an additional nearly $155 million in humanitarian funding for Iraq. The money will be largely earmarked for Iraqi refugees and displaced families. 

“The United States is pleased to announce nearly $155 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq as well as Iraqi refugees in the region and generous communities hosting them,” read a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“This funding will provide critical shelter, essential healthcare, emergency food assistance, protection services such as gender-based violence response, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services throughout Iraq,” the statement read.

Since 2014, the US has provided more than $3 billion in humanitarian aid for Iraq, added the statement. 

When the Islamic State (ISIS) attacked Iraq in 2014, millions of people fled their homes, most sheltering in the Kurdistan Region and some going to neighboring countries like Syria. 

The Iraqi government has closed down most of the camps within federal territory. However, Kurdistan Region’s 36 camps remain operating. 

According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Joint Crisis Coordination Center’s latest monthly report, the Region is home to 928,674 internally displaced persons and refugees. Of those, 655,505 come from Iraqi provinces.

Iraqis also make up the majority of Syria’s al-Hol camp where nearly 60,000 ISIS-affiliated people are held. 

An Iraqi delegation, led by Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, is in Washington to hold a new round of strategic dialogue. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi will arrive in the US capital to meet President Joe Biden on Monday.