Iraq’s Big Rebuilding Wallet: $88.2 B Needed after the IS Storm
Picture this: Iraq is like a house that took a beating from an unexpected party—except the party didn’t just leave the lights off. They left the walls cracked, the roof leaking, and millions of folks on the move. Now the country is doing the grand financial talk of the year at a conference in Kuwait, hoping to lift a hefty $88.2 billion out of the kind hearts (and wallets) of the world.
What the Numbers Say
- $88.2 billion – the total bill to patch up a country that lost its charm during the almost three years of battle with ISIS.
- $22 billion – fire‑up money that Iraq needs right NOW to get basic stuff up and running.
- Remaining $66 billion – a medium‑term budget for the long haul.
Why We’re All Hang Tight on This
Former Planning Minister Salman al‑Jumaili is the face of the push, saying the three‑day summit in Kuwait could punch out the pledges we desperately need. He’s not the only voice: Mustafa al‑Hiti, the reconstruction fund boss, quips that though they’ve started some work, they’re celebrating less than a single percent of the total budget.
A Quick Look at the Damage
- ~138,000 houses swept up—more than half of them gone for good.
- Over 2.5 million Iraqis still dealing with displacement.
With a history of war since the 1980s and a laundry list of sanctions, Iraq’s got more reasons to rebuild than a DIY home repair e‑book. The summit is less about speeches and more about that crucial hand‑in-hand‑in‑hands—handing the money to turn crumbling walls into what’s hopefully, tearing the next chapter. Let’s all cheer (and maybe cry a little) for a future where cracked roofs are replaced with shiny new ones.
