Despite the liberation from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the five governorates of Anbar, Nineveh, Salahaldin, Kirkuk, and Diyala resulted in large-scale destruction of socio-economic infrastructure and basic service delivery system for services such as water, healthcare, electricity, education, and shelters. Furthermore, roads and bridges have been impacted, and livelihood/income sources have been lost. In response, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Government of Iraq (GoI) and other development partners, has implemented the Funding Facility for Stabilisation (FFS) to provide a strategic framework for reconstruction and development in the five newly liberated governorates.  

The project has contributed to improved service provision for citizens, revival of local economic activities, and fostered collaboration and trust among diverse communities and ethnic groups. “Overall, the FFS project largely contributed to the ultimate return of 4.8 million internally displaced populations (IDPs) to their places of origin and functioning of essential facilities and public infrastructure such as water, electricity, bridges, roads, schools, and hospitals – all of which were identified as contributing to restoring a sense of normalcy.

During this reporting period, the FFS project enhanced technical skills and operational efficiency of 2,632 government officials, including 593 women (22.5%), to address immediate challenges for the return of internally displaced persons. This was achieved through 122 training courses in sustainable development and environment management, climate change and desertification; agricultural sector management, irrigation technology; e-governance; project management; engineering design, and management; Geographic Information System (GIS) + AutoCAD & Urban planning; engineering design & construction software; machinery maintenance;  financial and accounting analysis; surveying instruments; survey engineering; electrical networks; Operation and Maintenance of the sterilization and autoclave; Operation and Maintenance of water treatment plants; and using ArcGIS.