Erbil, Iraq – October 2026
The Ankawa Humanitarian Committee (AHC) joins its voice with His Grace Archbishop Bashar Warda, Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Erbil, in calling for greater investment in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic opportunities to strengthen the long-term future of Iraq’s Christian communities.
In recent remarks reported by EWTN News, Archbishop Warda highlighted the importance of jobs and education for the long-term stability of Christians in Iraq and emphasized the need to move beyond short-term assistance toward sustainable opportunities that enable individuals and families to build their futures.
AHC strongly shares this concern.
Across Iraq, many young people are facing a difficult question: Can they build a secure and prosperous future for themselves and their families in their homeland?
For many, the challenge is no longer only one of security. Limited employment opportunities, economic uncertainty, insufficient access to finance, and limited pathways for young entrepreneurs and graduates are contributing to a growing sense of uncertainty about their future.
AHC believes that addressing these challenges requires a stronger transition from short-term assistance to long-term empowerment and sustainable development.
Picture: The Chaldean Patriarch, Archbishop Warda, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq with young volunteers from the Ankawa Youth Meeting 2026 (AYM).
From Assistance to Opportunity
Humanitarian assistance remains essential for people facing crisis and vulnerability. However, the long-term resilience of communities also requires investment that enables people to become economically independent, develop their skills, create businesses, access markets, and find dignified employment.
For young people in particular, having a meaningful opportunity to work and prosper can influence whether they see their future in Iraq.
AHC therefore adds its voice to the call for increased investment in:
- Youth employment and professional skills development;
- Entrepreneurship and support for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses;
- Quality education and stronger pathways between education and employment;
- Access to finance and economic opportunities for young people and women;
- Private-sector partnerships that create sustainable employment;
- Renewable energy and infrastructure that strengthen educational and community institutions; and
- Long-term development initiatives that strengthen the economic resilience of communities.
A Call to Partners
AHC calls upon international donors, development agencies, humanitarian and faith-based organizations, private-sector partners, foundations, and relevant Iraqi institutions to increase investment in programs that create sustainable economic and educational opportunities, particularly for young people.
The continued presence and contribution of Iraq’s Christian communities cannot depend only on preserving their history and responding to immediate needs. It also requires creating the conditions in which a new generation can live, work, establish businesses, raise families, and prosper in their homeland.
This is not only an investment in one community. Supporting employment, entrepreneurship, education, and local economic development contributes to stronger communities, greater social stability, and a more prosperous Iraq for all its citizens.
AHC remains committed to working with local and international partners to transform this shared call into practical initiatives that create employment, strengthen businesses, develop skills, and give young people meaningful opportunities to build their future in Iraq.
“Our communities do not only need assistance, they need opportunities to build their future.”
Reference: EWTN News, “Iraqi Christians require jobs and education for long-term stability, Erbil archbishop says.”