In line with UNDP’s Global Integrated Response1 and the WHO Iraq Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, UNDP Iraq launched the project “Support for the COVID-19 Response in Iraq” in April 2020. To ensure agile, quality implementation in a rapidly evolving operational context, UNDP leveraged existing mechanisms and in-house resources to support its COVID-19 response in Iraq. The implementation of UNDP’s COVID-19 response makes use the operational platforms of the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS), the Iraq Social Cohesion Programme and the UNDP Iraq Accelerator Lab.

Based on discussions with the Ministry of Health (MOH), UNDP initially targeted the following locations: Anbar, Basra, Diyala, Dohuk, Karbala, Kirkuk, Najaf, Ninewa and Salah al Din. As the situation evolved and funds became available, locations in Babil, Dhi Qar and Missan were added.

Significant implementation progress was made during the reporting period, and US$7.74 million from donors and UNDP’s own resources had been secured for project activities by the end of May. With these funds, UNDP was able to start procuring essential medical equipment, rehabilitating isolation units, and imple-menting awareness-raising initiatives.