Publications Library 

January 2025

Trauma Healing for IS-Affected Communities in Iraq: Key for Lasting Peace

Programme Brief

The legacy of trauma in Iraq, particularly in Ninewa after the IS occupation, continues to hinder social cohesion and peacebuilding. Unresolved trauma fuels cycles of violence, making mental health a critical concern. Addressing trauma healing is essential for community recovery, reconciliation, and sustainable peace. Locally-led initiatives play a key role in bridging gaps in Iraq’s stabilization efforts and ensuring the effectiveness of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus. NP’s community-level engagement has often proven impactful in fostering healing and resilience.

October 2024

Snapshot: Online Extortion in South Mosul, Iraq

Programme Brief

Online extortion in South Mosul poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of women and girls. This harmful practice involves coercing individuals into providing money or sexual favors under the threat of reputational damage, leading to severe emotional and psychological distress and risks of violence. The impact is further compounded by cultural and social norms related to family honor, which can discourage individuals from seeking help or reporting abuse, thereby reinforcing their isolation. This snapshot outlines the current context, challenges in responding to the issue, and provides recommendations for better addressing online extortion of women and girls in South Mosul.

May 2024

Peace, Protection, And The Polls: Lessons Learned From The 2023 Iraqi Provincial Elections

Programme Brief

The December 18, 2023, Iraqi provincial elections marked a critical juncture in the nation's democratic journey. This was the first provincial election in over a decade, presenting a vital opportunity to restore and fortify democratic principles and to understand the desires of Iraqi voters. In addition, the 2023 elections are a significant event in how the political landscape will be shaped for the next four years, with those elected empowered with oversight over local governance and the power to select provincial governors, and providing an important precursor to the parliamentary elections slated for 2025. Impacts on peace efforts, the protection of civilians, and the political future of Iraq are likely to be widespread – at the provincial, national, and regional levels.

2022

Interrupting Cycles of Violence Unarmed Civilian Protection in Practice 2022

Programme Brief

In this new report, we share stories of our people-centered approach to protecting civilians, and what that means in practice. With examples from Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, South Sudan, Iraq, the Philippines, and the United States, the report details initiatives taken by local communities and NP in 2022 to interrupt cycles of violence.

January 2023

Mitigating tensions between community members and duty bearers

Case Study

A review of NP’s work in Hardan Village, Sinjar District in 2022: NP began engaging in Hardan in May 2022 to address growing tensions with the potential for further escalation within the community. Community members started sharing with NP that tensions mostly arose over the allocation of services, goods, and infrastructure, rooted in perceived and real power inequality between and within the communities. Aware that similar tensions had given rise to threats of violence in other areas in Sinjar District, NP began proactive engagement to de-escalate these situations and strengthen the capacity of community members to address protection concerns.

December 2021

Gaps in Formal Education in Iraq

Research Report

A research study conducted by the Education Consortium of Iraq (ECI) – comprised of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children, Mercy Corps, and NP– has identified areas to improve in education infrastructure, personnel, and reintegration of students into the formal system across six governorates.