Baghdad, 11 December 2019 – The Government of Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a partnership agreement today of SEK 70 million (USD 7.3 million) to help communities in Iraq rebuild their lives post-ISIL.

Sweden’s contribution will be channelled through UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) which finances fast-track initiatives in areas liberated from ISIL. This is Sweden’s fifth contribution to FFS, bringing its total contributions to SEK 318,000,000 (USD 38,276,688). Sweden is currently the tenth-largest contributor of the 28 donors that fund the FFS.

Based on priorities identified by the Government of Iraq, FFS helps quickly repair essential public infrastructure, boosts the capacity of local government, provides short-term employment opportunities and helps to build cohesive communities.

“It’s been two years since Iraq was officially liberated from ISIL, yet 1.4 million people are still displaced. This goes to show that we still have ‘unfinished business.’ The contribution from Sweden will bolster our current stabilization efforts which have helped 4.4 million displaced people return home. We are extremely thankful for this contribution, and Sweden’s unwavering commitment to the people of Iraq,” says Resident Representative of UNDP Iraq, Zena Ali Ahmad.

At the request of the Government of Iraq, UNDP established the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) in June 2015 to facilitate the return of displaced Iraqis, lay the groundwork for reconstruction and recovery, and safeguard against the resurgence of violence. To date, UNDP’s Funding Facility has completed more than 2,200 projects in key critical areas of Anbar, Salah al-Din, Diyala, Kirkuk and Ninewa, with another 386 currently underway.  Approximately 895 projects are in the planning stages.

For further information, please contact:
Fay Daoud, Communication Specialist,
Funding Facility for Stabilization in Iraq - United Nations Development Programme
Mobile: +964 780 1976 460