Iraq has been ravaged by cycles of warfare, a massive refugee crisis, crippling sectarianism, and the violent spread of the self-styled Islamic State. As the U.S. military helps roll back ISIS, stabilization will require Iraqis to mediate and resolve the complex communal conflicts that long have weakened their state. Since 2003 the U.S. Institute of Peace has provided financial and technical assistance to civic groups and government institutions involved in peacebuilding efforts. Current initiatives include local reconciliation in ISIS-liberated areas, support for Iraqi minorities, helping facilitate police-community dialogues, and informing policy discussions.

Iraqis have known little of peace or prosperity for forty years; with each generation facing its own unique crisis. Today the country remains in a deeply fragile situation following the end of hostilities with ISIL three years ago; a conflict which continues to affect the physical and mental well-being, living standards, and capacity for resilience and recovery of millions of Iraqis. Social, ethnic and sectarian tensions persist on multiple fronts.

In 2021, 1.3 million people remain displaced in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are unable to return home, the main reasons being destroyed shelters and lack of economic opportunities. ACTED has been operating in Iraq since 2003, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and providing durable solutions for safe returns