Livelihoods in Protracted Crises: Using savings and small business grants to build resilience in conflict-affected communities in Iraq

The Kurdistan region of Iraq has played host to a large population of internally displaced people seeking refuge from armed conflicts within Iraq, as well as Syrian refugees, since 2014. The population pressure and ongoing conflicts have severely affected the economy, resulting in a sharp decline in household income, as well as contributing to ethnic tensions. Oxfam has been working with the community to find solutions, and the results of the research have led to piloting a savings project, which aims to encourage both economic resilience and social cohesion.