The United States launched Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in 2014 to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and to set the conditions for follow-on operations to increase regional stability. The strategy to defeat ISIS includes military operations, as well as support for local security forces, diplomacy, governance, humanitarian assistance, and stabilization programs. This report marks the 23rd quarterly report on OIR and covers the period of July 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020.
During the quarter, the DoS and USAID also expanded stabilization programming efforts to address COVID19, funded through $5 million in supplemental COVID-19 resources that were notified to Congress during the fourth quarter of FY 2020.With this funding, START funded a food security and livelihoods-focused activity and made one new award near the end of the quarter to provide technical assistance, both to address the economic impact of COVID-19.
The Iraqi government closed 15 IDP camps, leaving many IDPs without safe housing or necessary services; further closures were paused following intentional pressure. Additionally, currency devaluation and COVID-19 restrictions weakened Iraq's economic recovery. This quarter, USAID dedicated $16.3 million to support members of vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.