This project evaluates the feasibility of transforming the refugee camps and neighbouring towns into resilient communities. In essence, this involves building interventions to address the gaps between the current livelihoods situation and the targeted resilience indicators.

This project evaluates the gaps in KRG’s response to the latest humanitarian crisis and formulates policy recommendations aimed to make the response more effective and inclusive in face of future displacement episodes.

Middle East Economic Outlook

February 3rd, 2015 by MERI

MERI’s Economic Outlook provides updates and analysis on the latest economic developments in Iraq and the broader Middle East.

Recommendations aiming at improving the current standardized processes of assessing the impacts and effects of disasters: How to enhance the effectiveness of needs assessment towards resource mobilization and recovery processes.

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The current policy of reducing salaries, focusing on a single sector of the economy, and putting extra pressure on low and middle income families is an unsuitable response to the on-going financial crisis and will likely dampen and delay economic recovery.

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This Report analyses the crucial aspects of the current economic crisis and the KRG’s immediate response. The author argues that it is only when the economic meltdown is averted in the short-term that the KRG will be able to proceed with deep structural reforms.

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This first MERI Economic Forum explored the challenges and policy options available to mitigate the current economic crisis in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The title, “Time for a Radical Rethink,” was reflected in the debates that resulted in actionable recommendations for the government and private sector.

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If Iraq is keen to diversify its economy, the Central Bank of Iraq should drop its current pegging (fixed) exchange rate policy and let the market determine the value of the Iraqi Dinar.

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In convening such high-level panels and making room for the participation of diplomats, government officials, civil society representatives, and media, the MERI Forum 2015 fostered greater debate and, more importantly, action on these issues.

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A feasibility assessment on how to transform the refugee camps and the neighbouring towns into resilient communities, as part of a new longer term approach to the Syrian refugee crisis.

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