Partnering for Peace: Laying the Foundations for Community Resilience in Diyala

In Diyala Governorate, addressing the underlying drivers of violent extremism is essential. It is important to identify and implement effective, context-specific activities that tackle these root causes, with the goal of fostering long-term stability and enhancing social cohesion in the targeted areas. Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid has started implementing a project titled "Building Resilient Communities to PVE: Strengthening the Role of Youth and Women in the Prevention of Violent Extremism," funded by the German Cooperation through the Stabilization Support and Violent Prevention in Iraq project. The partnership began on June 1, 2025. The project aims to empower youth to engage with PVE authorities, strengthen social cohesion, and unite communities to address the root causes of violence and extremism through Sport, Art and Handicraft Exhibition activities and by using community centers as local gathering hubs...

Local Authorities on Board from the Start

Right from the beginning, local authorities showed strong support. A key meeting with the Deputy Governor, who leads the Subcommittee on Preventing Violent Extremism in Diyala, helped set the stage for smooth coordination and approval to carry out activities in Khanaqin district.

Meeting with Diyala Deputy Governor and PVE Chair

Coordination meeting with local authorities in Khanaqin District.

Ground-Level Engagement and Coordination

More than just meetings, our team engaged directly with local authorities in Khanaqin, Jalawla, and Saadiya. We secured facilitation letters and set up effective coordination channels, allowing us to quickly start community workshops and awareness campaigns focused on prevention, raising awareness, and building trust among people.

Meeting with the director of Governorate Affairs.

Meeting with the Jalawla District director to discuss project support.

A Community-Centered Approach

At the core of this project is the belief that communities are not just recipients of aid but partners to organize themselves and resist extremism through mutual respect and trust.

Looking Ahead: Deeper Impact and Wider Reach

As the project moves forward, we will work on growing our partnerships and increasing activities that promote social cohesion. We are paying special attention to involving youth, women, and key community leaders to make sure the impact lasts.

Stability Starts from Within

With continued support from the German Cooperation and close cooperation with local authorities and civil society, we aim to build communities strong enough to maintain peace. True security comes from within, making peace part of daily life.

A Promising Beginning

Although still early, the project has laid strong foundations and built important partnerships, clearing the way for meaningful work on the ground. We’re excited to implement programs that will build trust and strengthen cooperation among community members.

Stay tuned

As we move forward, we’ll share inspiring stories and positive impact from the communities we work with in Diyala. This is just the beginning of a shared journey toward a safer and stronger future.