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enhancing understanding of iraq through programs, research and advocacy
Save USAID: Help Restore Aid to Those in Need
As you can imagine, our associates and partners in Iraq face significant challenges as they work to rebuild lives and communities, address governance issues, and combat climate change and environmental degradation. The Trump administration’s unconstitutional attack on USAID and suspension of U.S. foreign assistance affects these efforts and EPIC’s mission to advance peace and development in Iraq. To understand the deeper implications of the USAID shutdown and freeze on foreign assistance, we’ve prepared a 7-page Q&A on the origins and importance of USAID, the legal ramifications of the freeze, and its consequences for vulnerable populations in Iraq and around the world. WHY DOES THIS MATTER
Join the Movement to Protect Iraq’s Environment
Double Your Impact: Raise $50,000 to Combat Iraq’s Environmental Crisis Iraq is facing a devastating environmental crisis that threatens millions. With your help, we can empower Iraq’s young activists to take on this challenge and fight for a healthier future. Every dollar you give will be matched, doubling your impact. The Challenge Iraq faces an environmental crisis that puts lives, ecosystems, and livelihoods at risk: Gas flaring releases toxic pollutants, causing respiratory illness, cancer, and other chronic diseases in areas like Kirkuk and Az-Zubayr. Water scarcity and pollution threaten farming communities, putting livelihoods and food security in jeopardy. Illegal dumping
NEW: EPIC Brief on Gas Flaring in Iraq
Each year in Iraq, gas flaring greatly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, causing severe damage to the environment, economy, and health of the Iraqi people. Yet, this destructive practice persists. In the past year alone, Iraq burned over 600 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas, releasing it into the atmosphere due to inadequate infrastructure for capturing and processing this byproduct of oil extraction. This lack of infrastructure also leads to fugitive methane emissions, which are 28 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. To understand the scope of the problem, the obstacles, and mitigation efforts to date, the EPIC team and I are excited to share our
Celebrating Hope and Progress: A Paralympic Win and EPIC’s Work in Iraq
Earlier this month, Iraq celebrated an incredible milestone as 19-year-old Najla Imad Lafta made history by winning Iraq’s first Paralympic gold medal in table tennis. On September 7, she triumphed over Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovchenko 3-1 in the women’s table tennis final (class 6), marking a pivotal moment for the country and for those who believe in the power of resilience and determination. Najla’s story is one of extraordinary strength. After losing both legs and part of her forearm at the age of three, her journey to standing atop the podium is a testament to her unwavering spirit. Her victory not
Join EPIC Sat., Sept. 28 for the Iraqi Children Foundation’s Global 5K!
Every year since 2013, EPIC supporters like you have joined our team to rally support for Iraqi children. This year, we need your help to build our largest team EVER! SATURDAY, Sept. 28 Iraqi Children Foundation‘s 12th Annual “In Their Shoes” Global 5K @ Rock Creek Park in Washington DC Supporting Iraq’s children has been central to EPIC’s mission since day one. Back in August 2000, when we rallied the nation to highlight Iraq’s humanitarian crisis, our message was clear: Start Seeing Iraqi Children. With millions of children still enduring poverty and the aftershocks of decades of war, that call
Empowering Iraqi Women: Progress & Challenges on International Women’s Day
On this International Women’s Day, EPIC proudly joins our friends around the world in celebrating the outstanding achievements of women, and in bringing greater attention to the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and empowerment in Iraq. One year ago today, the government of Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, alongside UN agencies, launched its National Strategy for Iraqi Women, 2023-2030. The new national strategy was developed and adopted with a focus on the importance of women’s political participation, the protection of women and girls, economic empowerment, and climate change. In adopting the new strategy, the government of Iraq also renewed its commitment
Celebrating 25 Years of Enabling Peace: Help Strengthen our Impact in 2024
We’re on a meaningful journey together. For a quarter-century, thanks to supporters like you, EPIC has worked to advance peace and human rights in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. We have stood against international sanctions and the atrocities of Saddam Hussein, navigated the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, documented ISIS’s genocide against Yazidis, experienced the tremendous relief of the liberation of Mosul and the defeat of ISIS, and shared the story of Iraq’s popular “Tishreen” movement for reform. We have also been through the highs, from Iraq’s 2007 Asia Cup win to the 2018 awarding of the Nobel Peace
Celebrate 25 years of peace work in the Middle East
On this Giving Tuesday, we invite you to celebrate EPIC’s 25 years of humanitarian advocacy and peace work for the people of Iraq. From our inception in 1998 through this year, we have been a consistent voice for peace and for the rights and needs of all Iraqis. In the last ten years alone, that has included our work to deliver emergency assistance to more than 60,000 families displaced or under siege by ISIS, help Iraqi doctors and nurses fight COVID-19 and save lives, support the recovery of Sinjar and families who remain displaced, enhance understanding of the “Tishreen” movement for democratic reforms, and demand an end to the impunity that
EPIC Summer 2023 Highlights & Upcoming Initiatives
We are thrilled to share with you the latest updates on EPIC’s ongoing mission to advance peace and development in Iraq. As we approach our 25th anniversary, our commitment to the cause remains unwavering, and we are excited to showcase the impactful strides we’ve taken over this past summer. Unveiling Insights into Iraq’s Water Diplomacy Challenges and Solutions In July, we unveiled our newest publication, “Water Diplomacy in the Land of Two Rivers.” The product of months of intensive research and insightful interviews with top experts in the field, this timely report examines the pressing issues surrounding Iraq’s quest to secure its
Can oil and water mix?: Creating opportunities for Iraq-Turkey cooperation
Originally published by the Middle East Institute — August 31, 2023 Last week saw a flurry of diplomatic activity between Baghdad and Ankara. The top priorities in the talks that took place in Erbil, Ankara, and Baghdad almost simultaneously were oil exports, the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq, and Iraq’s water crisis. The visits by Ankara’s foreign and energy ministers to Iraq and by Baghdad’s oil minister to Turkey were preparations for an anticipated visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Iraq, which Iraqi sources think could happen in September, to agree on a way forward on these
Iraq’s Electoral Democracy on the Line: A Call for Extending UNAMI’s Mandate
By EPIC’s Editorial Team On April 19, Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, Chairman of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), reportedly resigned under pressure from influential political factions, raising concerns about the integrity of Iraq’s electoral system. This development, coupled with recent amendments to Iraq’s election law (published here), poses a formidable challenge to the progress made in electoral reforms following the Tishreen protests in October 2019, which aimed for a more democratic and accountable government. The Tishreen protest movement underscored the urgent need for overhauling Iraq’s electoral law. Among the primary demands were an end to the sectarian allocation system,
Taking stock of the first 100 days of Iraq’s new government
Originally published by the Middle East Institute — January 31, 2023 In its first 100 days in office, the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani has already left warning signs about what might lie ahead for the country. Although it is still in its early days, government actions have largely strayed from the promises Sudani made before taking office and resulted in setbacks for Iraq’s economy, security, sovereignty, and human rights. The situation deserves the attention of observers and stakeholders, who should keep a close eye on what follows and consider adjusting their approach to the administration. Sudani’s appointment