Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

So I posted these photos as I was getting ready to head out of country for a week in Prague, so I didn't provide any commentary on them. The top photo is from a field visit we did with one of our local community organization partners, which was hosting a meeting with other CSO activists, government representatives and community leaders to coordinate a response for the anticipated influx of IDPs into the region. By bringing government and community leaders together to coordinate their planning, it avoids duplicate services and allows for a better all-around response to needs. For example, IDPs often arrive having had to leave important documents behind. CSO leaders can help IDPs to navigate the government systems to get their documentation renewed, which they can then use to access government food and NFI support.

Glossary of NGO terms:
IDP.............................internally displaced person/people
CSO............................civil society organization (community organization)
NFI.............................non-food items (think blankets, basic kitchen items, clothing, etc.)