Iraq is still suffering the consequences of years of armed conflict. The country was hit hardest by the recent invasion of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, which forced millions of Iraqis to flee their homes. To this day, many people still do not have adequate shelter, access to essential services or a good source of income. We have been working in Iraq since 2015 and have gradually moved from providing immediate humanitarian assistance to more sustainable aid. We help people rebuild their livelihoods and create new jobs. We help people who have lost their homes to secure permanent shelter.

Restoring livelihoods

For most Iraqis who had to leave their homes, the return is very complicated because they lost their source of livelihood and often a roof over their heads during the conflict. We, therefore, support them in rebuilding their original businesses or starting new ones. We help farmers to rebuild their fields and farms and provide them with seeds, equipment and the necessary training. We also empower women to integrate into the economy.

MORE ABOUT OUR WORK IN IRAQ

October 13, 2025 News

This shop is my dream come true, says Maha from Iraq, who opened a cosmetics shop thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic

Maha, now 40 years old, runs a small but carefully arranged shop in the centre of the Christian town of Karakosh in northern Iraq. She sells cosmetics, scarves, accessories, and sometimes even clothing – and says she does not need anything more to be happy. “I opened the shop after we returned home from Erbil, after the city was liberated from ISIS. Back then, we were living in a caravan – now I have my own business. And I’m truly grateful for that,” says Maha, who now runs her business thanks in part to the support of Caritas Czech Republic. 

September 29, 2025 News

Nassim from Iraq was able to open his own blacksmith workshop thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic

In the small town of Karamles in northern Iraq, the sharp clang of hammer on metal rings out from a modest blacksmith workshop. Inside, 41-year-old Nassim works with practiced ease, bending iron into shape, welding railings, and assembling doors that will protect homes and shops across the region. Thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic, what started as a passion two decades ago has also become Nassim’s livelihood.  

September 15, 2025 News

My family has been farming this land for centuries, says Wamedh, a farmer from Iraq concerned about the impact of climate change

The fertile Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq have long been the heart of agriculture. For generations, families here have worked the land and relied on what they could grow. But today, that’s no longer easy – rainfall is scarce, the climate is changing, and farmers are worried about the future. One of them is Wamedh, a farmer from the Christian town of Qaraqosh. Caritas Czech Republic helped him adapt to the changing climate. 

September 4, 2025 News

Caritas Czech Republic gave me the support I needed, says Mahmoud after completing job training program in Mosul, Iraq

In the aisles of a shopping mall in Mosul, Iraq, Mahmoud moved steadily between shelves and deliveries, overseeing the sale of chips and snacks. Like many young people in Iraq, Mahmoud once faced unemployment and uncertainty. But thanks to an on-the-job training programme supported by Caritas Czech Republic, he found a stable job and a clearer path forward.