Activities in Iraq

Due to conflicts and subsequent economic sanctions, the Iraqi people have been isolated from outside technology in various fields for more than thirteen years. This period was long enough for Iraqis to fall behind the rest of the world in terms of their own technologies, facilities and human resources, which was once regarded as one of the highest standards in the region.

The Japanese Government is committed to the reconstruction of Iraq by rehabilitating facilities and providing equipment, mainly in the field of Health, Electricity, Water and Sanitation and so forth. It is also actively carrying out capacity development projects in surrounding countries like Jordan and Egypt.

Because Iraq had little access to the latest technologies, it is important to support them in updating their knowledge and use of technology, as well as rehabilitating facilities in order to facilitate the reconstruction process smoothly and effectively. Capacity development is one of the most important pillars in the reconstruction programs of JICA.

Before designing and implementing capacity development projects, we must assess the gaps between the current status and development policies and plans in target sectors. It is also essential to grasp a sector picture as a whole by studying not only human resources issues but also institutional issues and social systems.

Iraq, once one of the most powerful and advanced countries in the region in technology and human resources, has a great potential for developing their economy and technology by themselves.

JICA will support human resources development by implementing capacity development projects which can bring out their potentials and facilitate sustainable and spontaneous growth.

JICA conducted the following survey in order to formulate capacity development programs:

Survey title: The Survey on Capacity Development Needs for Iraq Reconstruction
Survey period: 24 May ~ 31 August 2004