Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Titre : Emergency livelihood support to mitigate the food insecurity crisis among vulnerable peoples in Iraq

Pays : Irak

Dates : Mar 1, 2023 // Feb 29, 2024

Identification : 220167

Présentation
This proposed project will help address the lack of livelihoods, employment and food insecurity in Iraq by revitalizing traditional food processing industries in Nineveh Governorate including a Syrian Refugee Camp in Duhok. There is a rich indigenous knowledge on food processing and preservation utilizing available resources within these areas. Some of these are dairy products (different local cheese, yoghurt-based drinks ; fermented products like pickles, olives, sausages, confectionery products and others). The Syrian refugees share some of the traditional methods of food processing. The knowledge of indigenous food processing methods is a valuable resource of local solutions to the food insecurity. Women are extensively involved in agricultural activities, foods processing and preservation, which are dominant livelihood features of rural areas. They are a source of income generating activities of women selling the products based on market demand of these goods. These livelihood activities provide pillars related to food security i.e., availability, accessibility, utilization and stability. The project will strengthen the capacities of household, micro, small and medium enterprises producing traditionally processed food products. It will do this by providing training and extension services on food safety and hygiene and improved business management ; refurbishment of production and storage facilities including provision of equipment to meet minimum health standards and improve productivity ; and assistance in improved product packaging. Household and micro enterprises will be encouraged to work together to address common problems and take advantage of collective efficiencies to improve their enterprises. To contribute to food security in the Refugee Camps, the project will establish a Dairy Processing Cluster in one camp. The project will provide dairy goats to beneficiaries who will be trained in animal care and proper milking procedures. A goat house will be constructed for this purpose in the camp. Women beneficiaries with traditional knowledge on making dairy products will be trained on process improvement, hygiene and food safety and provided equipment and tools to produce and sell. The women will be encouraged to form their self-help group for collective efficiency. For sustainability of technical assistance to this sector, the project will train staff the affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Agriculture in the Governorates of Duhok and Nineveh and non-government institutions to provide training and extension services to the MSMEs producing traditional food products. The above interventions will pave the way for higher commercialization of the food processing enterprises, contributing to the economic development in the operational areas and creating sustainable employment. The project will play a key role in mitigating food insecurity and abating the socio-economic impact of the external shocks to the vulnerable population in Iraq essential to maintaining peace and stability. The approach is designed to enhance the humanitarian-development peace nexus in Iraq. It also established the building block for long-term development of the traditional food processing for commercialization

Financement : Japon
Budget : $570,935

UNIDO