Sustainable Solutions for Displaced Iraqis
Peace Winds is helping 100 people in Mosul, Iraq get back on their feet so they can better support their families. Many are returning to their homes here after being forced to flee Islamic State violence more than 10 years ago. Now, Peace Winds’ vocational training program is giving them a leg up in the growing construction industry and emerging green economy.
The program aims especially to help women build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Construction is a male-dominated field in Iraq, but 40 women are taking courses in areas such as waterproofing, electric power distribution, and solar panel installation and maintenance.
Iraq is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, so solar panels and other sustainable solutions are an increasingly important feature of communities in Mosul. For that reason, Peace Winds is also carrying out climate change education activities. This includes mitigation strategies like water conservation and tree planting, as well as efforts to prevent illegal dumping.
Although some climate change mitigation technologies are still in their infancy, several construction companies in the area are showing increasing interest in adopting them. Peace Winds is helping trainees find employment with companies like these through the “Japan Village” program. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), which leads the program, works together with Japanese NGOs and Japanese companies operating in Iraq. Each contributes its expertise to support returnees in Mosul through housing assistance, livelihood support, and awareness-raising activities.
This project is carried out with funding from UN-Habitat and donations from Peace Winds supporters like you.