First Iraqi entrepreneurs funded on Kiva.org!

Congratulations to the first Kiva Lenders to loan to Iraq!

The first nine loans to Iraqi entrepreneurs have been posted to Kiva.org, and were all funded within hours! The Kiva Field Partner in Iraq has told us how excited they were to see the loans funded so quickly, and how encouraging it is for them to see the public showing such support for these small business owners.

The Iraqi loans are the first on the Kiva.org website for which the identity of each borrower cannot be revealed. As the security situation in the location of these borrowers is extremely volatile, Kiva.org is ensuring that all precautions advised by our Field Partner are being followed. We are encouraged to see that the Kiva Community is respectful of these requirements and that this has not affected the ability of these loans to receive funding.

We would like to join the Kiva Community in wishing great success to the enterprising individuals who have received the first ever Kiva Loans in Iraq. We hope this is the beginning of a long relationship with entrepreneurs in this region who are working to rebuild their lives and their businesses.