UNAMI Newsletter United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq

Newsletter - Issue 9 February 2011 The International community submits the Iraq IN THIS ISSUE Brie"ng Book to Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki

The International community submits the tional community in Iraq for !"#$%&"'([*+%&,,-%.,%/"'0(%1'*'2.("%3,4"'% the Brie"ng Book, promis- 5671#6'6-'%8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888%9 ing to carefully study it and :92.%;(*.4"<%.,,62%=,"%!"#$'%2;>,,6%;>'6?"(*@% recommend next steps for A3BCDE%6#4*;>(2%?'2.#*;(%6(#"*'*+%8888%: engagement by the Govern- ment through the relevant A3%F,0(*%;(6(G"#.(2%6#4*;>%#2%H,I("=46% ministries. ?"'J("%,=%I,0(*R2%($4#6'.<%8888888888888888888888%L The Brie"ng Book is com- A3!DBM%?'2;422(2%'*J(2.0(*.2%'*%.>(% prised of two parts and a 0,2.%?'2#?J#*.#+(?%;>'6?"(*%'*%!"#$%I'.>% total of 16 chapters covering /"'0(%1'*'2.("R2%5?J'2,"<%D,4*;'6%8888888888%N each of the policy issues with B"G'6%O(#6.>%D,*+"(22%,*%"(=,"0%#*?%?( - an outline of the challenges J(6,H0(*.%,=%>(#6.>%;#"(%2<2.(0%'*%!"#$R2% based on analysis of Iraq’s P4"?'2.#*%"(+',*%8888888888888888888888888888888888888%Q context and experience; A3!DBM%#*?%.>(%B4",H(#*%A*',*%?(J(6,H% apresentation of recent and 2,6'?%I#2.(%0#*#+(0(*.%H6#*2%88888888888888%Q ongoing policy actions is fol- lowed by a series of recom- FOE%>(6H2%."#'*%[=.<%>(#6.>%I,"-("2%'*%(= - mendations for further initia- =(;.'J(%;,004*';#.',*%888888888888888888888888888%R tives. C4HH,".'*+%.>(%0';",*4."'(*.%#22(220(*.% The "rst part of the book #*?%"(2H,*2(%24"J(<%888888888888888888888888888888%S addresses key policy issues, 5%*(I%I(G2'.(%=,"%.>(%A*'.(?%3#.',*2% including: macroeconomic D,4*."<%T(#0%'*%!"#$%888888888888888888888888888888%U challenges, development planning and prioritization, !E1%!"#$%#22'2.2%?<*#0';%G42'*(220(*% "(6,;#.(?%.,%P("G#6#%8888888888888888888888888888888%U governance and public sector reform, anti-corruption, D'J'6%2,;'(.<%>(6H%'0H",J(%6,;#6%(0("+(* - private sector development, ;<%H"(H#"(?*(22%888888888888888888888888888888888888%V social protection and the W'2.%,=%A3%5;",*<02%888888888888888888888888888888%V challenges of regional co- The Iraq Brie"ng Book produced by international partners in Iraq on the occasion operation, and internal dis- of the formation of a new government. Photo: UNCT Iraq puted territories. The second part focuses on the various n an e#ort to boost the reconstruction sectors and cross-cutting issues, including: The birth of and development e#orts in Iraq and to human rights protection, civil society and UN Women Iprovide a basis for future discussions on the media, gender mainstreaming, basic key areas of mutual interest, the Iraq Part- social services, water resources manage- could not be bet- ners Forum (IPF) prepared the Iraq Brie"ng ment, agriculture, environment, energy, ter timed. This year Book. The book was handed over to Prime transport and telecommunications, and cultural heritage. marks the 100th Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 1 February by a delegation representing the international The delegation also included the UN Resi- anniversary of Inter- community in Iraq, headed by the Special dent Coordinator ad interim Mr. Daniel national Women's Day. We have Representative of the UN Secretary Gen- Endres and the Acting Country Manager of come a long way in a century. But eral for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Ad Melkert. the World Bank Mr. Yahia Khairi Said. we still have far to go SRSG Melkert indicated that the Brief- The full text of the Iraq Brie"ng Book as ing Book was prepared by the IPF which well as the executive summary in English includes major donor embassies and aid and Arabic can be downloaded from the Secretary – General Ban Ki-Moon agencies present in Iraq to assist the in- UN Country Team’s website: http://iq.one. coming government. un.org/the-iraq-brie"ng-book The Prime Minister thanked the interna- 21st century tools for Iraqi school children: UNESCO launches distance learning that is children produced $* episodes of Abu Salam Family, and youth, who an animated series of $* episodes focusing will be the lead- attention on civic values, gender equality ers of the future,” and human rights. In addition, UNESCO es- said the Deputy tablished a TV library and trained all the TV Special Represen- station staff each in his own specialty. tative of the UN The Iraqi Curricula Website is an online re- Secretary-General source with links to all relevant educational for Iraq Jerzy Sku- materials covering learning from primary to ratowicz at the secondary schooling. Among the features Opening Ceremo- of the website are resources for literacy, ac- ny, adding that celerated learning for students who have “we all should dropped off classes and need to catch-up, recognize that along with teacher guidebooks and all of the the transition of Educational TV programs, including The Abu Iraq from decades Salam Family series. Developing Interactive Lessons at Ministry of Education. Photo: UNESCO of dictatorship, war and sanc- In her speech, Deputy Special Representative tions to a stable of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq/ Resi- and prosperous dent Coordinator Humanitarian Coordinator democracy is not an easy process that can Christine McNab said, “These two high-tech ecades of conflict and insecurity in Iraq be achieved overnight. However, it is impor- projects, and other projects that the United have led to severe deterioration in ed- tant for the Iraqi authorities to address, as a Nations implements in Iraq with its partners Ducation resulting in decrease in enrol- matter of priority, the legitimate aspirations in the education sector, aim to make a dif- ment, lack of qualified teachers and schools, of the Iraqi people, in particular the provi- ference to the learning environment of stu- lack of educational resources, outdated cur- sion of basic services, and economic and so- dents, school teachers, university professors, ricula and outdated teaching methods. cial development as a means of ensuring a school principals and everyone who believes in the power of education.” To provide quality education to all Iraqi stu- peaceful, prosperous future for the country dents inside Iraq and around the world, in- and its entire people”. UNESCO, along with UNICEF, UN-HABITAT, cluding enrolled, out of school, Internally dis- The satellite TV and online educational re- The World Bank and its Iraqi counterparts, placed persons, refugees, females at home sources are two new tools that support edu- has been working tirelessly to restore the and people with special needs, UNESCO, cation in Iraq. The satellite TV programs have reputation of a system that was once the with the support of the European Union and a regional footprint and by the nature of the most developed in the Arab world. in cooperation with the Ministry of Educa- internet, all Iraqis no matter where they live Link to the website and Television: tion, launched on $% February in Baghdad can access educational material and pro- The Iraqi Curricula Website : the Iraqi Educational Television and The Iraqi grams from a computer. Curricula Website. www.iraqicurricula.org Within The Educational TV programming, “These two pioneering projects could not The Iraqi educational Television : Iraqi Edu at UNESCO established two TV production / Nile Sat - Frequency: 45++3 GHz – Polariza- have been timelier, as they not only repre- broadcasting studios with a satellite trans- sent a key strategic priority area for our joint tion: Horizontal - Symbol Rate: $+355 - FEC: mission unit, produced &$* TV lessons, pro- ¾) work, that is education, but they also target a vided a total of +$3 hours of externally pro- key priority category of the Iraqi population, duced TV programs for Iraqi students and Link to the speech of DSRSG Mr. Jerzy Sku- ratowicz: http://www.uniraq.org/FileLib/misc/ SPEECH8$5DSRSG8$5Jerzy8$5Skuratow- icz8$5$$-5$-$5448$5ENG.pdf Link to the speech of DSRSG/HC/RC Ms. Christine McNab: http://www.uniraq.org/ FileLib/misc/SPEECH8$5DSRSG-RC-HC8$5 Christine8$5McNab8$5$$-5$-$5448$5 ENG.pdf For more information please contact Mr. Riyad Z. Minawi, Project Manager UNESCO – Iraq Office; Mobile: +<&$ (5) ++& +$% *5$ ; TV Broadcasting Unit, control room. Photo: UNESCO The Iraqi Curricula Website Email: [email protected]

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 2 UN Women celebrates launch as powerful driver of women’s equality

vestment in families, communities and nations. Citing uneven progress on aspects of the Millennium Development Goals such as reduced maternal mortality, she calls on “all stakeholders and champions—govern- ments, foundations, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individ- uals—to invest in women’s empowerment as an instrumental strategy to achieve the MDGs.” UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women ABC News anchor Christiane Amanpour and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. Photos: UNWOMEN serves as emcee of the celebration. Other he UN celebrated on $* February to what women can do.” speakers include UN General Assembly President Joseph Deiss; the President of the historic launch of UN Women, UN Women will support individual coun- the UN Women Executive Board and for- Tits newest organization, with an eve- tries in moving towards gender equality in mer Foreign Minister of Nigeria, Ambassa- ning including luminaries from the worlds economics and politics, ending the world- dor Joy Ogwu; Nepalese activist Bandana of politics, entertainment, business, the wide phenomenon of violence against Rana and former Commander of the all- media, music and film in the UN General women. It will assist in setting international female Formed Police Unit in Liberia Rakhi Assembly Hall. standards for progress, and lead coordinat- Sahi. UN Women, formally known as the United ed UN efforts, to make new opportunities Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the for women and girls, central to all UN pro- CNN founder and Chairman of the UN Empowerment of Women, combines four grammes for development and peace. Foundation Ted Turner urges men and the private sector to get involved in achieving previous UN bodies and represents the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and gender equality. Actress Geena Davis high- United Nations’ most ambitious effort ever Academy-Award winner Nicole Kidman lights the role of the media in promoting to accelerate actions to achieve gender describes personal experiences of seeing positive images. The singer Shakira offers equality. Around the world, supporters of women change the world: “There are in- a special message emphasizing the impor- women’s rights have heralded its debut. credible testimonies of resilience, strength tance of education. “With the birth of UN Women, we welcome and dignity—and ultimately of hope.” She a powerful new agent for progress on gen- adds, “this is why I say that the women and The programme concludes with the per- der equality and women’s empowerment,” girls I have met are my personal heroes. formance of the song “One Woman,” which says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. It is my pleasure and pride to be with UN was written for the occasion, with lyrics by “The challenges are great, but I believe that Women, the new, strong voice for women Beth Blatt, and music co-composed by Gra- with the new energy, the new momentum around the world.” ham Lyle and Clay. and the new authority that UN Women H.R.H. Princess Cristina of Spain, in her ca- The celebration of the launch of UN Wom- brings, these challenges will be met. True pacity as President of the Institute of Health en can be seen via webcast at http://bit.ly/ gender equality should be our shared lega- of Barcelona, urges broader understanding unwomenlaunch cy in the $4st Century.” of how an investment in women is an in- The Secretary-General appointed Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, to be the first Executive Director of UN Women. Calling the launch the first of many impor- tant milestones in the global pursuit of gender equality, Ms. Bachelet emphasizes that the decision to establish UN Women reflects ongoing frustration with the slow pace of change. UN Member States unani- mously agreed to create the new organization, following longstanding advocacy by women’s activists. “Think of how much more we can do once women are fully empowered as active agents of change and progress within their societies,” Ms. Bachelet says. “Historically, we are at a point of great potential and change for women. Now we must seize that opportunity.”She adds, “My own experience has taught me that there is no limit

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 3 UNICEF discusses investments in the most disadvantaged children in Iraq with Prime Minister’s Advisory Council approach is right in principle, right in logic, and right in practice. Following the presentation, the Govern- ment of Iraq representatives accepted the added value of an equity-based approach to accelerate progress for children and ex- pressed their interest as well as the opportunity to develop social transfers and in- novative taxation as possible mechanisms to make the targeted investments needed. Targeted investments in Iraq’s most deprived children could ensure the enrol- ment of most of the 730,000 children between the ages of 6-11 currently out of primary school (MDG targets 2 and 3), could guarantee that most of the 36,000 infants who are currently perishing before their 1st birthday will survive (MDG 4), and that many of the three million who do not Targeted investments in the most disadvantaged and vulnerable not only prioritizes children most in need but speeds Iraq’s at- have access to safe water would have ac- tainment of its Millennium Development Goals. Photo: UNICEF-Iraq/LeMoyne cess (MDG 7). If these investments are o discuss a concept note UNICEF had Iraq Country Representative, Mr. Sikander prioritized, not only would Iraq be taking sent to the Prime Minister’s O>ce on Khan, Deputy Representative, Mr. Osama care of its most deprived and vulnerable Tthe creation of a government fund Makkawi, with the participation of chiefs children, Iraq will be much more likely to for targeted investments towards the most of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation attain with equity its MDG targets by 2015, deprived children in Iraq, The Prime Minis- and Strategic Communications and Part- and ultimately make the country better "t ter’s Advisory Council (PMAC) invited UNI- nerships, and Knowledge Management for its children. CEF Iraq’s Country O>ce to make a presen- Specialist. The Government of Iraq was tation on the current situation of children represented by PMAC Chairman, Thamer in Iraq as well as on examples elsewhere in Ghadhban, and PMAC sectoral advisors. the region and the world, on government The presentation introduced UNICEF’s funding mechanisms, criteria and impact . sharpened equity-based approach and Against this background, UNICEF Iraq’s ‘Narrowing the Gaps’ study which was Country O>ce met with PMAC on 6 De- published in September 2010 as well as a cember 2010 to propose a governmental situation analysis of children in Iraq dur- mechanism to make targeted investments ing the last 30-40 years in comparison to in the most disadvantaged children in Iraq. other countries in the region, which dem-

The intended outcome of the meeting was onstrated how over this time Iraqi children Children smelting remains of military vehicles for metals in to have a concrete proposal to submit to have not progressed at the same rate as in the outskirts of Baghdad. Photo: UNICEF-Iraq/Khaibar the Prime Minister, Mr. Nouri Al-Maliki. other countries. Link to UNICEF Iraq’s Narrowing the Gaps’ Moving forward, highlighting the merits of study: an equity-focused national development strategy in Iraq, UNICEF noted that focus- http://www.unicef.org/publications/"les/ ing on improving the well-being of the Narrowing_the_Gaps_to_Meet_the_ most deprived and in-need children, and Goals_090310_2a.pdf minimizing their existing multiple rights For more information, please contact Mr. violations - will be cost e#ective in terms of Jaya Murthy Chief of Strategic Commu- the number of lives saved per dollar spent, nications and Partnerships, UNICEF Iraq: which in turn will seriously accelerate the +962 79 692 6190; [email protected] attainment of Iraq’s Millennium Develop- ment Goal targets by 2015. In essence, that Photo: UNICEF-Iraq/LeMoyne The presentation was made by the UNICEF an equity-focused national development

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 4 Erbil Health Congress on reform and development of health care system in Iraq’s Kurdistan region

In their address, WHO representative Dr Syed Ja#ar Hussain and his team provided in-depth analyses and recommendations on the way forward in regards to reform in a wide range of areas including primary health care, social health insurance, social health protection and the move towards universal coverage, accreditation, public/ rivate partnership and management of the pharmaceutical sector. WHO has a long history in Iraq. It has been present since 1948 providing strategic and policy guidance in the area of health governance and assistance in scal- ing up essential prevention treatment and care services since 2003. A total of 26 programmes have been funded to revital- ize and strengthen and sustain the Iraqi health system. Programmes implemented focused on health care service delivery mainly Primary Health Care, infrastructure rehabilitation, establishing referral labora- tories, and emergency response. Currently WHO has more than 100 focal points, lo- Dr. Syed Ja#ar Hussain, during the opening session of Erbil Health conference. Photo: WHO gistical and technical sta# working in all 18 governorates and will be providing By Ruba Hikmat, WHO - Iraq tem in Iraq’s Kurdistan region which took monitoring and oversight of all activities o bring the key players working for place on 2nd ,3rd and 4th of February 2011 implemented. WHO works closely with the the Health Sector in Iraq’s Kurdistan in Erbil. Ministry of Health through teleconferenc- region on a single platform to discuss The Congress addressed six pivots based ing and direct meetings in Iraq (Baghdad, T Basra and Erbil) and in Amman, Jordan, in the current situation and the need for the on the priorities of the KRG government reformed areas in order to meet the cur- namely health economics, health policy order to manage and monitor its country rent and emerging needs of the region in and management, accreditation of health wide programs for Iraq. a more responsive and e#ective manner, facilities, public‐private partnership, For more information, please contact WHO participated in the congress on Re- health referral system and pharmaceutical Ruba Hikmat: [email protected] form and Development of Health Care Sys- management.

UNICEF and the European Union develop solid waste management plans

ost municipalities handling of solid waste is a major national in Iraq lack e#ective public health hazard as well as an environ- Mmeans of garbage col- mental issue, ultimately hampering the lection and handling which attainment of Millennium Development has littered Iraq’s streets with Goals 4 (Child Mortality), 6 (Eradicating garbage. Even where garbage Disease) and 7 (Environment - access to collection systems do exist, user safe water and adequate sanitation facili- participation is very low. Exist- ties). ing land"ll sites are also oper- To help address this problem, UNICEF is ated with outdated equipment implementing the Solid Waste Manage- and there is a desperate need ment Project in partnership with the Iraqi for modern operating proce- Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works dures to manage land"ll sites. (MMPW) and the European Union in the The absence of centralized re- governorates of Basra, Suleimaniya, Do- Participants in UNICEF’s workshop discuss solid waste management plans for cycling programmes and the kuk, Anbar and Thi-Qar. Basra. Photo: UNICEF-Iraq lack of e#ective control and On 23 November 2010, UNICEF trained 25

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 5 sanitary disposal of unusable waste and maximization of waste recycling and re- use. Based on the successful implementation of the project in Basra governorate, the MMPW requested UNICEF to carry out similar projects in Anbar, Thi-Qar, Dohuk, and Suleimaniya as well as now Erbil (which UNICEF is currently seeking support for), all of which have similar solid waste issues. These projects are currently ongoing with anticipated completion dates in the second half of 2011. Moreover, UNICEF has expanded the capacity development component of the project to include three ad- ditional governorates: Kut, Salahaldin and Mosul. This will ensure that where UNICEF is not implementing Solid Waste Manage- ment projects, governorate o>cials and professional sta# will acquire the knowledge needed to develop Waste Manage- ment Programmes in their respective gov- Basra residents dispose household solid waste along river banks. Photo: UNICEF-Iraq/Arar ernorates. In response to UNICEF’s development of senior engineers from the MMPW on Solid The project is helping Basra Governorate the Integrated Solid Waste Management Waste Management in Basra with support establish a sustainable and e#ective solid Master Plans for the above mentioned from the European Union and in coopera- waste management system for the entire governorates, MMPW has also agreed to tion of Basra’s Provincial Council. governorate. As a sign of the governorate’s develop land"ll sites and procure neces- The Solid Waste Management Project in commitment to taking ownership of the sary machinery and equipment to operate Basra governorate consists of two compo- project and improving public health and garbage collection and disposal in the An- nents: the "rst includes the development environmental living standards for its citi- bar, Thi-Qar, Dohuk, Suleimaniya and Erbil of an integrated solid waste management zens, it has already put mechanisms and Governorates. master plan, the rehabilitation/upgrade of contracts in place to provide for the regu- For more information, please contact Mr. the existing land"ll site and the establish- lar collection and disposal of solid waste Jaya Murthy Chief of Strategic Commu- ment of a demonstration project; and the through a contract with a private sector nications and Partnerships, UNICEF Iraq: second includes strengthening the capac- partner. Furthermore, UNICEF is support- +962 79 692 6190; [email protected] ity of MMPW in solid waste management ing Basra Governorate to seek further programmes and policies. private sector partnerships to ensure the

WHO helps train "fty health workers in e#ective communication

By Ruba Hikmat, WHO - Iraq ealth communications, plays a vital role as the link between technical health workers Hand the larger public. In addition of convey- ing correct information to the public, they can ad- vocate for appropriate health behaviors as well. To enable the media to take on such a vital role, health workers need to explain health issues in all their complexities including policy, practices and correct behaviors. For instance, to prevent the deaths of infants and young children from diarrhea, many countries have been using TV and radio broadcasts During training, lab technicians conduct tests on Hemoglobin using Hemocue. Photo: MOH-WHO to train the public to treat the disease, distribute

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 6 Health of the Kurdistan the Ministry of Health and WHO joint Regional Government programmes aimed at strengthening (KRG) as well as all gov- Iraq’s emergency medical services and ernorate Departments improve the health of mother and child. of Health in Iraq. Held in The training allowed participants to Amman, the workshop share and exchange different experi- put a special emphasis ences towards establishing a national on managing emergen- communication and media network that cies of public health would help them assist the government concern to protect the and communities’ efforts to respond to health of communities any emergency situation in Iraq and re- in general and that of port more effectively in a timely fashion mothers and children in from the field, and to develop best prac- Participants discuss the media and health promotion units communication action plan. particular. Photo: MOH-WHO tices in communicating and sharing ef- The five-day workshop fective health messages with decision relevant health materials and set up equipped the partici- makers and all stakeholders. places where mothers could learn how pants with skills on how to better han- This training was funded by the United to prepare medication properly. dle risk communication during disasters Nations Development Group-Iraq Trust Against this backdrop, WHO organized and emergency situations, to develop Fund (UNDG-ITF) and from the Euro- on 22 - 26 February the “Effective Me- effective messages, to prepare advocacy pean Union through the Programme to dia Communication Workshop”, bring- and educational materials and to inter- Support Specialized Medical Services in ing together about 50 health promotion act effectively and appropriately with Iraq. specialists and media practitioners rep- the media and the community in a time- For more information, please contact Ruba resenting the central Ministry of Health ly manner. The workshop also provided Hikmat: [email protected] (MOH) in Baghdad and the Ministry of an opportunity to familiarize them with

Supporting the micronutrient assessment and response survey

women and child forms), and sample collection of blood and urine from non preg- nant women (15 - 49 years) and children aged 6 - 59 months. As part of the MNAR project, on 29‐31 January 2011, WHO Iraq supported anoth- er training course in Erbil which focused on data entry and CSpro Data Entry Pro- gramme, bene"ting 15 data programmers from the Ministry of Health and the Minis- try of Planning /COSIT and KRGO in both Baghdad and the Kurdistan region. The MNAR project is designed to build the capacity of the Ministry of Health to more e#ectively manage existing nutritional in- terventions and to adequately plan, imple- ment, and monitor new prevention pro- Participants for Micronutrient Assessment and Response Survey. Photo: MOH-WHO grams and evaluate their impact. Tools and systems for e#ective management, plan- s part of the “Addressing Micronutri- WHO Iraq, trained 66 Iraqis from all gover- ning, monitoring and evaluation will be de- ent De"ciencies in Iraq : Assessment norates in Iraq. veloped from local to central levels of the Ministry. The integration of nutritional data Aand Response (MNAR), project, a The training took place in Erbil on 23–28 as a new component into the national dis- Micronutrient Assessment and Response January and facilitated the by Survey eases surveillance and Health Information Survey will be implemented towards the Steering Committee and Survey technical System will improve sustainability of na- end of April 2011. To train the survey team team, consultants from CDC Atlanta, WHO tional nutritional monitoring and response. on survey design and methodology, data and UNICEF‐Iraq.Training programme in- collection and standardize laboratory sta#, cluded a one-day pilot survey to test the For more information, please contact Ruba the Ministry of Health with support from three questionnaire forms (household, Hikmat: [email protected]

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 7 A new website for the About the UN Country Team in Iraq United Nations Country The UN Country Team works in all of the terparts including Iraqi and international 18 governorates of Iraq and operates at non-governmental organisations, aca- Team in Iraq the community, governorate and na- demia, private sector and the international tional levels. National and international donor community. sta# members are deployed through- Through the implementation of the UN- out the country in cooperation with DAF the UNCT aims to provide coherent local, provincial and national counter- and coordinated assistance delivery in line parts. with the Paris Declaration on Aid E#ective- The UN Country Team has been leading ness and help the Government of Iraq to the humanitarian, reconstruction and meet its various obligations. These include development agenda in a coordinated the Millennium Declarations and the Mil- manner and in alignment with national lennium Development Goals and Interna- priorities. tional Treaties to which Iraq is signatory. In line with the priorities stipulated in The UNCT remains particularly concerned the Iraq Five Year National Develop- about the Iraqi people’s ability to lead nor- ment Plan (2010-2014) the UNCT has mal lives and all aspects of their safety. Pro- signed in May 2010 the United Nations tection of targeted and vulnerable groups Development Assistance Framework including Internally Displaced Persons for Iraq. It will be implemented be- (IDPs), refugees, returnees, minorities, chil- tween 2011 and 2014 in close coopera- dren, youth and women are a top priority tion and partnership with the Govern- of the United Nations Country Team’s in ment of Iraq, civil society organisations Iraq. he United Nations Country Team for and a number of partners and coun- Iraq has launched a joint website Tavailable from the following link: IOM Iraq assists dynamic businessmen relocated www.iq.one.un.org. The website aims to serve as a platform to share news and to Kerbala updates, and raise awareness with the UN rapidly destabilized, especially after the partners and stake holders including the bombing of the Al Askari mosque in 2006, Government of Iraq, civil society, media, Mr. Almusawi realized the danger posed to academia and the donor community both his family and himself. The Almusawi At present, the website provides infor- family sold the bulk of their property in mation on the 20 UN agencies working order to finance their move to Sweden in in Iraq and has a number of key sections November of 2007. including : Mr. Almusawi and his family resided in t Facts & figures on Iraq Sweden for several years until his petition t Media centre for asylum was denied. The family returned Iraqi businessman trying to settle into his new life in to Iraq in February of 2010 and re-located t Latest publications and reports from Kerbala. Photo: IOM UN agencies to Kerbala, given that Mr. Almuswai deter- t Frequently Asked Questions on the UN ithin the framework of the Inter- mined that the security situation in Bagh- in Iraq national Organization for Migra- dad was still too dangerous. After reaching t Links to partners and interlocutors Wtion’s (IOM) worldwide return out to IOM, he received monetary re-inte- t Photo gallery and reintegration activities, IOM assists gration assistance which he used to secure migrants who wish to return home. In the accommodation for his family. He finally t Job opportunities with the UN in Iraq month of January alone, 117 Iraqis were started up a fabric sales business in part- The website home page links users to assisted by IOM in their voluntary return. nership with one of his friends. According thematic areas the UN Country Team has One of these beneficiaries was the cre- to Mr. Almusawi, “I'd like to encourage IOM been working on in Iraq such as the Mil- ative and highly adaptive Mr. Almusawi to keep their good efforts to help Iraqis lennium Development Goals, the UN De- who was previously the owner of a travel who are interested to return back.” velopment Assistance Framework, water and tourism company in Baghdad yet he Since it began in June 2003, IOM’s Assisted and youth. The site offers also a link to the had ended up in Kerbala , where he has Information Portal where users are able Voluntary Return and Reintegration Pro- started up his own fabric sales business. gramme has benefited 19,007 Iraqis. to download maps, retrieve indicators What happened in between is a story that and receive real time news on each of the is fairly common to those Iraqi migrants As a member of the UN Country Team 18 governorates in Iraq. that fled from the escalating violence of (UNCT) for Iraq, IOM Iraq works closely To post information on the website and the war in Iraq. with the United Nations System and the Iraqi authorities in support of the Iraqi Na- for comments or more information please While residing in Baghdad, Mr. Almusawi’s tional Development Plan 2010 - 2014, and contact Ms. Juliette Touma: tourism company had flourished, even is integrated into all sector outcome teams during the first years after the start of the [email protected] of the UNCT Coordination Structure. war. However, as the security situation www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 8 Civil society helps improve local emergency preparedness

he integration of civil society into in Erbil on the "rst week of February, or- where civil society can ease the work of the emergency response structures has ganized by the United Nations O>ce for authorities and enhance services available T been improved in six governorates Project Services (UNOPS) in cooperation to citizens. of Iraq. Following the successful conclusion with the NGO Coordination Committee for of UNOPS project to support the develop- Iraq (NCCI), and the Danish Refugee Coun- For more information please contact Mr. ment of local emergency preparedness cil (DRC), the participants in the project Adam Styp-Rekowski at [email protected] structures, Iraqi authorities and their NGO believe that the relations and cooperation or telephone +964 77 00 472519 partners have been taking stock of their mechanisms established will continue to newly developed cooperation. be developed and bene"t citizens in the six Following training on Disaster Risk Re- governorates. Participants included local UNAMI Newsletter is published duction and Coordination Mechanisms NGOs and GECs in the six governorates, the monthly by the UNAMI Public Informa- for NGOs and representatives of Gover- Ministry of Science and Technology, rep- tion O>ce. Contents do not necessarily norate Emergency Cells (GECs) from the resentatives of the United Nations, Inter- re|ect the o>cial position of the United governorates of Diyala, Dohuk, Ninewa, national Organization for Migration (IOM), Nations or that of UNAMI. Articles may Misan, Thi-Qar and Wassit, local NGOs the International Federation of Red Cross be freely reproduced, with credit to were empowered to set up and run proj- and Red Crescent Societies, the Iraqi Red ects to strengthen emergency coordina- Crescent Society and Civil Defense from UNAMI Newsletter. For comments and tion amongst governorate state and non- Ninewah. suggestions, contact state actors. Activities included trainings, The project is a key component of a wider [email protected] campaigns, and workshops targeting local programme implemented by UNOPS with Editor-in-Chief: Radhia Achouri citizens and authorities alike, as well as the funding from the European Union, the Gov- Managing Editor: Aicha Elbasri production of posters, booklets and radio ernment of Finland and other donors to Sta# Writer: Randa Jamal programmes on the role of civil society in support civil society in becoming a viable Photo Editor: Bikem Ekberzade emergency response. partner in the development of Iraq. Emer- Graphic Designer: Salar A. Brifkani Following a lessons learned conference gency response is one of many examples of

List of UN Acronyms There are 16 UN organisations, programmes, agencies and funds working in Iraq. They are the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organiza- tion (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Educational, Scienti"c and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), O>ce of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), UN O>ce for the Coordination of Humanitarian A#airs (UN OCHA), UN O>ce for Project Services (UNOPS), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO).