Canada’s Middle East-Strategy: Summary of annual report April 2019 - March 2020

Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon

Results achieved with Canadian and like-minded support

Security & Stabilization

• 927, 000 square meters of land cleared from explosive hazards in Iraq
• 2,900 Iraqi police officers received training by deployed Canadian police officers
• 3, 800 participants from Iraqi, Lebanese and Jordanian Security Forces received training to enhance internal and border security
• 63 KMs of road paved along Jordan's border with Syria to increase the Jordanian Armed Forces’ ability to monitor and respond to potential threats

Humanitarian Assistance ^{Footnote 1}

• 5. 4 million people received food assistance by the World Food Programme, on average every month
• 2. 5 million people gained access to safe drinking water in Iraq and Syria, between January and 3, 800 participants from August 2019
• 468,000 children and youth in Iraq and Syria accessed formal and informal education, between January and August 2019
• 1.3 million women and children benefited from medical consultations in Syria, between January and August 2019

Development Assistance

• 560,000 children and youth, including refugees, accessed formal education and learning opportunities in Jordan and Lebanon
• 65,000 refugees and Jordanians benefitted from solid waste management, and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities
• 30, 000 teachers, principals, and counselors received teaching improvement, gender sensitivity and child protection training in Jordan and Lebanon
• 5 Vocational Technical Colleges across Iraq received Canadian assistance to support young Iraqi women and men with employment opportunities in the trade sector

Diplomatic Engagement

• Anti-domestic violence law endorsed by Iraq’s President and Speaker of Parliament following Canadian and international advocacy
• Top voluntary contributor to the OPCW and advocate for the investigation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria
• Improved policy coherence among donors in Jordan by coordinating donor counter- terrorism working group
• Reform of municipal police throughout Lebanon promoting equal recruitment of male and female police officers following Canadian and other donors' support and advocacy

Advancing Gender Equality

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• Canada supported the establishment of five Women’s Advisory Boards in Iraq to help build the capacity of women’s rights organisations within Iraqi civil society
• Provided financial support to equip Syrian women with the tools they need, including political participation and advocacy skills training, to advance peace and gender equality in Syria
• Supported the implementation of National Actions Plans for Women's Economic Empowerment in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq to increase women's role and opportunities in the workforce.