- An EU-funded €1.54 million project has strengthened disaster response capabilities in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.
- The programme trained 76 rescue workers in water rescue and 110 firefighters in urban firefighting techniques.
- A container-based fire simulator and specialised water-rescue and firefighting equipment are supporting longer-term response capability.
The Disaster Risk Management in Iraq project, funded by the European Union with €1.54 million, ran from 15 November 2024 to 15 August 2026. Expertise France said the project was designed to strengthen disaster response capabilities and reduce the human, injury and economic losses associated with disasters, particularly flash floods and urban fires.
The programme focused on the Kurdistan Region, which Expertise France identifies as vulnerable to both flood and fire risks because of its mountainous terrain, extreme weather conditions and densely populated urban areas.
The project included specialised equipment for water rescue and firefighting, targeted training programmes and measures to improve psychological support for vulnerable groups affected by disasters. It also supported improvements in risk assessment and mapping, emergency preparedness and contingency planning, as well as public awareness activities.
Training was a key element of the programme. Seven Kurdish rescue workers received specialised training in France alongside firefighters from SDIS 34 in Gignac. Their training covered swift-water rescue techniques and boat handling in strong currents.
After returning to the Kurdistan Region, the seven workers became trainers themselves, passing their knowledge to local rescue teams under the supervision of SDIS 34 firefighters. In total, 76 rescue workers were trained through the programme.
Firefighting capability was also targeted. Ten Kurdish firefighters received specialised training in urban firefighting techniques from SDIS 34 firefighters, followed by additional training sessions at the Civil Defence Training Institute near Erbil. Expertise France said the programme resulted in 110 firefighters being trained.
A container-based ‘fire box’ simulator is also being delivered to Kurdistan to support a training-of-trainers programme focused on its use.
The project additionally provided training for 80 volunteer first responders from partner institutions in psychological support, including empathy, resilience strategies, psychological preparedness and awareness of community-based support resources.
Expertise France said three curricula and practical guides for first responders will also provide benchmarks for improving the safety and efficiency of emergency interventions during floods and urban fires.
The project is intended to strengthen the ability of emergency teams in the Kurdistan Region to anticipate, prepare for and respond to future disasters.
