About us

WHO WE ARE

Civil Development Organization “CDO” is a non-governmental, national, humanitarian, independent and non-profit organization. CDO was founded in 1999 and obtained registration from both KRG NGOs Directorate and Federal Government in Baghdad. CDO’s vision is establishing a civil society in Iraqi community through building capacity of CSO in Iraq, promoting democracy and peace promotion, developing human right situation, combating violence against women, increasing women political participation, presenting legal aid to the vulnerable groups and advocate on behalf of the local community.

CDO is involved in the emergency response to the Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs mainly in the fields of protection, legal aid, prevent and response to the survivors of SGBV, food, and hygiene kits distribution, strengthening community mobilization and self-management through Community Centers and developing non-formal education.

CDO is working in partnership with UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNFPA, SCI, and France Liberate/Daniel Mitterrand Foundation. CDO is a member of NCCI, JCC, Mesopotamia, LIFE, and Peace for Iraq Networks. CDO is a member of Protection, Education, FSC clusters and SGBV with Child Protection subclusters.

Geographical areas of CDO are Kurdistan Region, Kirkuk, Diyala and Salahaddin Provinces.

What We Do

PROTECTION

Refugees and internally displaced persons experience loss of not only personal property, but the security of social ties and community trust. The process of emigrating to a new community leaves many

Basic Services

Both in emergency situations and following resettlement availability of basic services is vital. These include the very basic means of living that are indispensable for subsistence. In terms of emergency

Women

Women’s rights are often institutionally undermined by law or custom causing women, more often than men, to suffer from economic, political and social inferiority. Working towards a more equal

Children and Youth

In the years reserved for development and learning children and adolescents in conflict areas experience damaging interruptions in their upbringing. Conflict leaves children and youth vulnerable to

Human Rights

The people of Iraq have seen multiple wars and civil unrest both directly affecting the population and surrounding it. The divides between ethnicities, tribes and political and religious groups are

Democracy Promotion

An inclusionary society calls for a truly democratic system. With a large number of marginalised and vulnerable persons it is crucial that democratic processes are in place to ensure all voices are

Capacity Building

We do not work on our own. We cooperate with a wide range of
international organisations and NGOs. CDO is therefore in a unique
position to share its experiences with local NGOs. We do