UNAMI Newsletter United Nations Assistance Mission for

Newsletter - Issue 5 September 2010

IN THIS ISSUE Peace message for Iraq illuminates Citadel

Peace message for Iraq illuminates Erbil Citadel ……………………………. 1 United Nations in Iraq celebrates the International Day of Peace ………… 2

A survivor's answer to violence: help Iraqi youth build peace in Iraq ……….. 3

Championing for peace in , Iraq. 3

A little peace picnic …………………… 4

On the census in Iraq: Speech of DSRSG Jerzy Skuratowicz ………….. 4 The Representative of the Secretary- General on the Human Rights of

Internally Displaced Persons visits Iraq …………………………………….. 5 Toward strengthening the monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children in Iraq……………….. 5 Iraq adopts UN plan to transform state The Peace Day slogan put up at the Erbil Citadel. Photo: UNAMI PIO/ Laila Shamji -owned enterprises into corporations ...…………………………. 6 s part of the world wide celebration of urgent preventive works on ten of the European Union helps improve the International Day of Peace which Citadel’s most unstable buildings. UNESCO is schools and quality of education in southern Iraq ………………………….. 6 A falls on 21 September each year, also working with national authorities in their UNAMI raised and illuminated on 19 efforts to enlist the site in the World Heritage United Nations helps tackle illiteracy in September a fluorescent sign of the 2010 List. Iraq ……………………………………… 7 peace day slogan Peace=Future: The Math is Government of Iraq approves a UNAMI collaborated closely with the offices of Easy in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. national school feeding programme … 8 the Governor of Erbil and the High

Iraq’s first National Health Accounts Scripted and illuminated in the Kurdish Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization in survey completed …………………….. 9 language, the peace message sat against the implementing this activity.■ backdrop of the Erbil Citadel in the vicinity of News Briefs…………………………….. 9 United Nations in Action………………. the newly landscaped Shar Park and the city’s 11 bustling local bazaars. Large flex banners of the same message in English, and Kurdish were also affixed to the scaffolding on the walls of the Citadel to draw the public’s Peace and development go attention to the importance of this year’s hand in hand and they are a peace day slogan and its global theme of prerequisite for a better and Youth for Peace and Development. brighter future. The young people The Special Representative of the Secretary- of Iraq, who represent over half the General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Ad Melkert, population of the country and its welcomed the raising of the Peace Day slogan near the Erbil Citadel, renowned as one of the future leaders, need to be enabled oldest continuously inhabited settlements in and empowered to actively the world. contribute in the shaping of Iraq’s On 30 June of this year, SRSG Ad Melkert future participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony which marked the second phase of The Special Representative of the Secretary- the implementation of a project in which General for Iraq, Mr. Ad Melkert UNESCO is assisting the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization in carrying out

United Nations in Iraq celebrates the International Day of Peace

McNab while further emphasising the importance of “building a future where common ground is sought and common good is put before individual differences”. Representing civil society organisations, Ms. Mahabad Qaradaghi, an Iraqi author, journalist and a poet, stressed the need to establish and foster peace throughout Iraq. She stated that Iraqi youth and women “recognize more and more the value of peace and democracy. They are a key pillar in Iraqi society and must be empowered as messengers to promote civil rights and democracy in the country”. During the ceremony, white doves were released and peace songs were performed by the United Nations Fijian Contingent choir. Youth members from the Rajan Youth Centre and the Asuda Cultural Centre in Erbil performed a cultural dance and traditional music. The event was organised by UNAMI in close cooperation with the office of the Governor of DSRSG McNab and President Mas'ud Barzani at the International Peace Day celebration in Erbil. September 21, 2010. Photo: UNAMI / Waseem Wastin Erbil and the Department of Foreign Relations.■

epresented by Deputy Special Governor Hadi welcomed Representative of the Secretary-General commemorating the R (DSRSG), Ms. Christine McNab, UNAMI International Day of Peace in the held a peace gathering on 21 September at city of Erbil and hoped to see the Sami Abdulrahman Park in Erbil with the more such events organized in participation of the President of the Kurdistan the Kurdistan region and Regional Government, Mr. Mas’ud Barzani, the throughout the country. He also Governor of Erbil, Mr. Nawzad Hadi, Speaker of noted “the prevailing peace and the Kurdistan Iraq Parliament, Mr. Kamal stability in the Kurdistan Region” Kirkuki, Members of Parliament, the diplomatic and expressed hope that “peace corps and representatives from civil society extends to the whole country”. organizations and United Nations staff. Hosting this event for the first time “We hope that together with peace loving in Iraq, UNAMI DSRSG McNab people, everywhere in the world there will be stressed the need to foster “peace peace and prosperity” said President Barzani that brings development, speaking at the ceremony. He also expressed prosperity and wellbeing”. Release of white doves at the celebration of the International Peace Day in hope that peace and stability will prevail “Peace is the greatest gift we can Erbil. Sept 21, 2010. Photo: UNAMI PIO / Waseem Wastin throughout Iraq. give our children”, added DSRSG

Photo Gallery

DSRSG McNab delivers a President Mas'ud Barzani gives a speech at the International Celebration of the International Peace Day in speech for International Peace Peace Day celebration in Erbil. Erbil. Sept 21, 2010. Photo: UNAMI PIO / Waseem Wastin Day in Erbil. Sept 21, 2010. Sept 21, 2010. Photo: UNHCR / Photo: UNHCR / Helene Caux Helene Caux www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 2

Peace stories from Iraq

A survivor's answer to violence: help Iraqi youth build peace in Iraq

Iraqi Amal [Hope] Association that helped her, . The years of conflict in the country together with relief organizations, undertake deprived us from enjoying the simplest medical treatment in Jordan. Rania has since pleasures in life”, Rania said. “The seed we been involved in a wide range of activities planted had borne fruit and we are still undertaken by the Association throughout organizing soccer games for these two Iraq, including combating all forms of violence communities and, more importantly, the and discrimination, promotion of the culture youth involved have succeeded in building of human rights and human security and strong friendships and have been active training courses for women, children and ambassadors for the cause of peace and

A football team in Baghdad. Photo: Amal Association youth so that they can participate effectively in reconciliation within their respective public life. communities”, Rania added. Rania participated in many activities of the “It is a simple initiative but one that helps my Association but the one initiative she cherishes people cherish the gift of life and work By Randa Jamal, UNAMI PIO the most is the organization of the first soccer together to build a peaceful Iraq where all ania Hadi, a 24 year-old Iraqi young game in 2009 under the slogan Through Peace, Iraqis can simply enjoy a game, sit in cafe, go to woman, is a miracle survivor of one of we build our country and solve crises between school or to their workplace without fear and R Baghdad’s horrendous bombings in youth from two Baghdad communities that running the risk of being a victim of a terrorist April of 2006. As soon as she recovered from had contentious relations. “Soccer is very attack. Surrendering to terror is not an option the serious injuries that left her on a popular in Iraq and there is nothing better we can afford”, Rania said with the wheelchair for an entire year, she joined the than a friendly sports competition to help determination she hopes she can instill in Iraqi people realize what peace would mean for all youth.■

Championing for peace in Kirkuk, Iraq

Organised by the Evangelical Church in Kirkuk, and held annually for the past five years, this year’s event was remarkably significant as 300 children between the ages of 5 and 16 years of age participated in the programme. With guidance and dedication from 40 trained volunteers, these children represented the Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen and Christian ethnic groups. Pastor Haitham Jazrawi, in his opening remarks said, “Our children are valuable for us, and they are the future. Tolerance, justice and love among brothers and sisters is necessary for peace and prosperity in Kirkuk, and indeed for Iraq”. Amidst an atmosphere of joy, laughter and harmony, various activities including sports tournaments, skits, poetry and story-telling and educational debates on the themes of peace, security, development and reconstruction were organised. The children learned the value of unity and tolerance by working in teams. Through active Kirkuk youth singing for peace at the championship event. participation, they engaged in inspiring Photo: UNAMI PIO / Waseem Wastin debates on how peace, education and security can aid in development and increase opportunities. Some students expressed their By Waseem Wastin, UNAMI PIO in the presence of students, parents and the hopes of becoming engineers, teachers, community at large. A festive ceremony was nder the theme of Love and Peaceful doctors and nurses “so that we can help the held to celebrate the end of an exciting, coexistence is the basis for peace in sick, the poor, and the elderly and build our successful and vibrant programme aiming to Kirkuk, a one-month youth sports and country. We will return next year with more U promote and educate the youth on values of education programme was organized in ideas to share with the friends we have made tolerance, peaceful existence and unity among Kirkuk and came to a close on 21 August 2010, here today”.■ all ethnic and religious groups in the city.

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Peace stories from Iraq

A little peace picnic

By Sabah Abdulrahman, UNAMI PIO officially declaring the exhibition open by dozen young men and women from cutting a ribbon amid various civil society organizations applause from initiated a one-day picnic for hundreds A encouraging parents of internally displaced people in Bastasen who seemed to have Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp near just realised how Qaladzae town, northwest Sulaymaniya talented their children province of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, in July were. 2010. The activists took a large tent, pots of traditional Kurdish yaprakh food, fruits and Over the simple but vegetables enough for the entire community, hearty lunch that was boxes of colouring pencils for the children and served, the IDP ideas about peace and its necessity for community, youth and development to discuss with the elders and elderly, men and the youth alike. women, openly engaged in As the tent was set up with help from the IDP children depict memories of burnt orchards, destroyed houses, and a safe haven discussions about that was their village. Photo: Civil Society Initiative welcoming young IDPs, the children lined up peace and candidly to receive colouring pencils and drawing expressed their views on rehabilitation, notebooks. The pictures they drew illustrated Namo Sharif, one of the organizers of the development and what they need to enjoy a vivid memories of burnt orchards and picnic. brighter future. destroyed houses, but also memories of the By sunset, the civil society activists left the safe haven that their villages were, further “We wanted to give a chance to the IDP camp with the promise to return for another expressing hope that their homes would be community to be heard, we wanted them to visit and to bring with them biryani – a restored as the big playgrounds they used to know that their views matter and their voices traditional Kurdish dish - to celebrate Eid-al Fitr be. The drawings were collected and mounted need to be heard, we wanted the children to and the end of the holy month of Ramadan.■ inside the tent, with the youngest artist feel like children and enjoy a day of fun” said

Census On the census in Iraq: Speech of DSRSG Jerzy Skuratowicz properly resourced education sector, help DSRSG Skuratowicz added. ensure that sufficient resources are dedicated Securing agreement on key principles is critical to the provision of clean water and electricity, to the success of Iraq’s census, DSRSG spur the manufacturing sector and enhance Skuratowicz noted. This can be done by trade, all towards promoting a sustainable clarifying three facts: Firstly, the census does economy with sustained job creation to meet not nor can it under Iraqi law serve as legal the needs of the Iraqi people. document or legal reference to either validate DSRSG Skuratowicz also highlighted the fact property claims or grant legitimacy to claims of that the census can be a source of tension residency. Secondly, nor can the census data throughout the world particularly in countries form the basis of any voter registry roll in light which have emerged from oppressive regimes of the obligations on the privacy of individual or conflicts, are multi-ethnic and emerging information as per Iraqi law. Thirdly, the census democracies, and are now faced with the takers themselves are not in a position to verify

Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations challenges of new beginnings, beginnings the accuracy of the data reported to them, nor Secretary-General Mr. Jerzy Skuratowicz. linked to the equitable allocation of resources, is it their mandate to do so. Photo: UNAMI PIO / Sarmad Al-Safy or group identities. To support the operational confidence mid preparations for the upcoming Drawing on his experience in Sudan, DSRSG building measures, DSRSG Skuratowicz housing census, Deputy Special Skuratowicz stressed the need for Iraqis to recommended several measures such as the A Representative of the Secretary- initiate and engage in a consultative process use of multi-ethnic teams of enumerators in General for Iraq (DSRSG), Mr. Jerzy designed to identify the fears and concerns, to those areas where citizens need additional Skuratowicz, delivered a speech on 22 begin to address them and to forge political such assurances or the use of joint or ethnically September at the Iraqi Expanded Meeting on consensus around the holding of the event by mixed security forces. the 2010 General Population and Housing clarifying what the census is, what it DSRSG Skuratowicz concluded by reiterating Census that took place in Baghdad at the represents, and what it is not. that the decision of holding the census is an Council of Ministries in the presence of the It may also be worthwhile for the political Iraqi sovereign decision, that the census Prime Minister, Mr. Nuri Al-Maliki. parties and blocs to agree to a code of conduct cannot serve as a substitute for the resolution DSRSG Skuratowicz stressed the importance and potential confidence-building measures, of political issues and that the complex of the census as a development, resource and to clarify any misperceptions or political issues require inclusive negotiations allocation and government planning tool that perceptions about the census and to forge a among all stakeholders leading to broad- is able to support the development of a national consensus on holding the census, based agreement. ■ www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 4

Human Rights

The Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons visits Iraq

Minister of Human Rights, society and the international community. Ms. Wijdan Salim, Deputy Mr. Kaelin urged the government of Kurdistan Minister of Displacement to develop a comprehensive long term plan and Migration, Dr. Salam Al- for IDPs in Kurdistan in close collaboration with Khafaji and the Ministry of the central government. Such a plan should Foreign Affairs. Mr. Kaelin include rental subsidies, financial assistance also met with and livelihood interventions. He expressed representatives of the concerns about allegations of detention and Implementation and Follow- harassment of IDPs in Kirkuk and called upon up Committee for National all parties to ensure protection of displaced Reconciliation and the persons in the region during the upcoming international community. He census exercise. also visited IDPs living in informal settlements in During his first visit to Iraq, Mr. Kaelin held two

RSG Kaelin talking to the press at a press conference held on 3rd October 2010 at Baghdad. press conferences in both Baghdad and Erbil UNAMI Erbil office. Photo: UNAMI PIO / Salar BRIFKANI in which he briefed the media on the situation During his visit to Iraq’s of human rights of IDPs in Iraq. Kurdistan region, Mr. Kaelin n an eight-day visit to Iraq starting 26 met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Mr. Walter Kaelin, Professor of Law at the September, the Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr. Azad University of Bern (Switzerland), has been the Secretary-General on Human Rights O Barwari, as well as with the Regional Representative of the Secretary-General on of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Mr. Government’s Minister for Foreign Relations, Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Walter Kaelin, spent three days in the capital Mr. Falah Mustafa, and the Minister of the since 2004. Baghdad before heading to Erbil in Iraq’s Interior, Mr. Karim Sinjari. Mr. Kaelin also had Kurdistan region. To learn more about Mr. Kaelin’s visit to Iraq, the opportunity to meet with representatives read his statement in Baghdad and his speech During his stay in Baghdad, Mr. Kaelin met of the various internally displaced in Erbil ■ with the Prime Minister, Mr. Nuri Al-Maliki, the communities, as well as members of civil

Human Rights Toward strengthening the monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children in Iraq o strengthen the monitoring and report- pected to collect timely, objective, accurate ing of grave violations against children in and reliable information on six serious T Iraq, UNAMI and UNICEF hosted on 9-11 violations against the rights of children in September, a visit of a technical team from the conflict situations. This includes: 1) killing Office of the Special Representative of the Secre- and maiming of children; 2) recruitment tary-General for Children and Armed Conflict for and use of child soldiers; 3) rape or other a workshop in Erbil. In addition to UNICEF and forms of sexual violence; 4) abduction; 5) UNAMI staff, the workshop drew the participa- attacks against schools and hospitals; and tion of representatives from the Office of the 6) denial of humanitarian access. United Nations High Commissioner for Refu- Bi-monthly reports on the six grave viola- gees, the United Nations Office for the Coordi- tions produced by the MRM CTF are dis- nation of Humanitarian Affairs, and Save the cussed by the Security Council Working Children. Group on Children and Armed Conflict. The workshop gave the participants an oppor- The MRM CTF also undertakes advocacy tunity to learn more about UN Security Council efforts to reduce incidents involving the six Resolution (SCR) 1612 on the protection of grave violations as well as creating action children affected by armed conflicts. Unani- plans to address violations, with the aim of mously adopted by the 15-member body on 26 eventually eliminating these incidents. July 2005, SCR 1612 focuses on the monitoring In Iraq, the MRM CTF was established on 7 and reporting on six grave violations that may June 2010 and is being co-chaired by take place against children by parties to the UNAMI and UNICEF. By March 2011, the conflict. MRM CTF Iraq will produce a public report Additionally, SCR 1612 calls for the creation of a on Iraq that will review incidents of the six Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism Country grave violations that occurred between Sadness on the face of an Iraqi child. Photo: IOM 2005 Task Force (MRM CTF). The MRM CTF is ex- January 2008 and December 2010. ■

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Development Iraq adopts UN plan to transform state-owned enterprises into corporations

By Paal Aarsaether, UNDP Iraq international investment. The Private Sector Development Programme for Iraq is an interagency initiative that At the national level, the encompasses seven UN agencies, namely UN PSDP-I programme UNDP (lead agency), UNIDO, ILO, UNOPS, UN- supports national policy to HABITAT, FAO and UNIFEM. UN agencies are shape a more conducive working in partnership with other environment for private international organizations such as the World sector development, while Bank, OECD and USAID to help Iraq create an at the governorate-level, effective, coherent, and comprehensive the Programme ensures framework for private sector development. that challenges to private sector growth are met For more information, please contact Mr. Paal

Working Group for Tax Policy’s joint meeting with UN PSDP-I, OECD and USAID, through planning and Aarsaether: [email protected] Baghdad, 15 April 2010. Photo: UNDP implementation activities

within three pilot governorates. Acronyms used in this article: n 31 August 2010, the Government of Iraq approved a framework to To stimulate private enterprise building and UNIDO: United Nations Industrial O transform state-owned enterprises reduce informality, the Programme also assists Development Organization Iraq in setting up a dedicated, tripartite into corporations. Entitled the State Owned ILO: International Labour Organization Enterprise Restructuring Roadmap, the institution for the development of small and framework was developed by the joint UN medium-sized enterprises which will address UNOPS: The United Nations Office for Project Private Sector Development Programme for regulatory gaps and financial and non- Services Iraq (PSDP-I) to guide the transformation of financial service needs. UN-HABITAT: United Nations Human the 176 state-owned enterprises into In tandem with this joint UN programme, the Settlements Programme competitive corporations for a rapid recovery Government of Iraq has established the Task FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the country’s competitive advantages, Force for Economic Reforms with seven initial expanded trade, strategic investment and working groups dealing with legislation UNIFEM: United Nations Development Fund outsourced activities to the emerging private revision, state-owned enterprise restructuring, for Women sector. small and medium enterprise development, OECD: Organisation for Economic Co- The UN PSDP-I programme supports the Iraqi investment policy, land reform, tax policy and operation and Development government in restructuring its economy to social dialogue. The UN PSDP-I programme increase sustainable employment works in close cooperation with the Task USAID: United States Agency for International opportunities and enhance the legal and Force, with regular consultations on policy Development. ■ regulatory framework in a way that would formulation and institutional frameworks for help increase and sustain domestic and economic reforms.

Education European Union helps improve schools and quality of education in southern Iraq

By Jaya Murthy, UNICEF-Iraq

he poor quality and maintenance of in southern Iraq, for school water systems and toilets in instance, deter 11 year old Ali Qassim from T hundreds of other schools across Iraq using them throughout the six hour school day affects school attendance and the quality of during the week. Waiting until he returns education of thousands of Iraqi children, home to relieve himself in better conditions, Ali causing some to leave school for several days doesn’t realise the harmful effects of holding or drop out permanently. A survey by the waste inside his body for prolonged periods of Ministry of Education shows that more than time. half of all schools are operating without water Similarly, attending Al-Fasaha primary school in or sanitation facilities and that, due to the the same , ten year old friends Halima damaging or looting of other schools, schools Al-Khawarnaq school's toilets before rehabilitation work. Abdullah and Su’ad Salih also avoid using the Photo: UNICEF with functional water and sanitation facilities school’s toilets fearing that the old and are often burdened as a result of up to three dilapidated roof might collapse over their additional schools using their facilities in shifts heads. Along with other pupils, Halima and The absence of safe drinking water in these throughout the day. Su’ad also suffer from a lack of drinking water, schools has forced most children to bring with Poor sanitation conditions and quality of toilets blocked sanitation facilities and the pungent them bottled water which they usually finish in the Al-Khawarnaq primary school in odour of open sewage plaguing the school. early in the day and spend the rest of the day thirsty and dehydrated from the scorching www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 6

Education heat. The students are also unable to wash A 7 million Eruo project funded by the their faces and hands, especially after playing European Union to improve Iraq’s water and outside in unsanitary conditions during recess, sanitation services is underway. Implemented making them dirty and at higher risk to by UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of contract diseases such as respiratory infections and Public Works in Baghdad and diarrhoea, the first and second greatest and the Ministry of Municipalities in Kurdistan, killers of Iraqi children respectively. the project will strengthen the government’s In 2009, the Department of Education in capacity to plan, manage and develop Iraq’s Muthanna governorate asked UNICEF to water and sanitation sector. construct and rehabilitate water and sanitation The project is also providing over 14,000 units in five primary schools; three in Al-Khidher children in 30 schools across five governorates district, including Al-Khawarnaq and Al-Fasaha Batool school's toilets rehabilitated. Photo: UNICEF with improved access to water and sanitation primary schools, as well as two in Al-Rumaitha facilities. The project supports the Government district. With funds from the European Union, to attain the Millennium Development Goals in work commenced in August 2009 and the encourage her to stay in school, adding that “I Iraq, especially the goals 2 and 3 aiming to schools were fully rehabilitated in March 2010. hope to be a very rich person one day to help achieve 100 per cent enrolment in primary the poor, not only in Iraq but in the entire Nearly 2,000 primary school pupils in the five school for all primary school-aged children, and world. I'd then be very happy that I was able to schools have benefitted from the rehabilitation the goal 7 which aims to increase the access in put a smile on the face of the poor”. of 25 toilet units, three septic tanks and 50 improved water sources to 91 per cent of the water faucets as well as the installation of 30 The head of the Planning Division at Muthanna population from the current rate of 84 per cent new water storage tanks and 10 water pumps. Education Department, Abdul-Hussein and access to adequate sanitation facilities to In the Al-Fasaha school, a new roof for the toilet Muhammed Jawad, says “out of Muthanna 96 per cent of the population from the current unit was also constructed. governorate’s 441 primary schools with rate of 84 per cent. 114,898 pupils and 121 secondary schools with Commenting on the new facilities, Ali Qassim For more information, please contact Mr. Jaya 40,933 students, 75 per cent of the province’s joyously noted “with the clean water and new Murthy, UNICEF Iraq: [email protected] ■ schools are in poor condition and need to be toilets, we now have normal lives. I hope to rehabilitated”. “However, the Department has become a politician, or Minister of Education in no budget to build or rehabilitate all the water the future so I can build model schools so they and sanitation units in the schools”, he are suitable for studying.” Meanwhile, Su’ad lamented. Salih said that the new facilities at her school

Education United Nations helps tackle illiteracy in Iraq

According to the divide between men and women is wider. World Food When asked to read a sentence out loud, Programme 2007 illiteracy disparity between rural and urban Comprehensive Food women proved to be further pronounced. In Security and fact, less than 50 per cent of women aged 15- Vulnerability Analysis 24 years living in rural areas were found to be (CFSVA) in Iraq, one in literate, compared with 72-80 per cent five Iraqis aged literacy rates for women of the same age between 10 and 49 group in more urban areas2. years are unable to read or write1. Furthermore, there are significant differences However, there are in illiteracy rates amongst Iraqi governorates. significant disparities The lowest rates of illiteracy appear to be in in literacy rates across Diyala, Baghdad and Kirkuk, while the highest gender, age and are estimated to be in Dahuk and Sulaimaniyah within Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Children and youth joining the Literacy Campaign in the Marshlands, . urban versus rural Photo: UNESCO areas. and Muthanna, Missan and Qadissiya in the south3. With a rate as high as wo decades of war, sanctions and To help tackle the literacy problem in Iraq, the 24 per cent, illiteracy among Iraqi women is deprivation impacted on the quality United Nations supports several literacy more than twice that of Iraqi men which is and availability of education which has programmes operated by the Iraqi T estimated at 11 per cent. Similarly, with 25 deteriorated dramatically since 1990. It has government such as the following: per cent illiteracy rate, rural populations are resulted in the emergence of a high level of more adversely affected by illiteracy than 1) The Literacy and Adult Learning illiteracy in the country which impacts in urban populations with a rate of 14 per cent. Programme. This initiative is intended for every aspect of life such as employment, In addition, within rural areas the literacy students aged 15-45 years who did not health, civic participation and social attitudes.

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Education attend formal education. A certificate UNESCO in coordination with the Ministry of References: equivalent to grade four of formal education Education. Each of these centres offers a (1) The 2007 World Food Programme CFSVA 2007, is provided upon completion of a 14-month variety of training in vocational and life skills Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability programme. New textbooks for Arabic and is operated in close cooperation with the Analysis in Iraq. WFP CFSVA was prepared through a partnership between World Food Programme, the language, mathematics and general culture local communities. This programme, Central Organization for Statistics & Information have been developed with technical support targeting mostly women aged between 15- Technology, the Kurdistan Region Statistics Office, from UNESCO. 45 years, will be expanded in the coming and the Nutrition Research Institute, with the years to cover all the . 2) The Accelerated Learning Programme is support and assistance of UNICEF, Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health another initiative targeting students aged 4) In 2010, UNESCO launched the Literacy Organization under the umbrella of the Ministry of between 12-18 years who can re-enter Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE) for Iraq Planning and Development Cooperation/Central formal education. This is a three-year with funding from the Office of the First Lady Government and the Ministry of Plnning/Kurdistan programme that allows students who of Qatar. Ms. Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al- Region. completed it to move into the formal Missned. LIFE will contribute to (2) United Nations Children’s Fund MICS, 2006 education system to continue their studies. strengthening the capacity of the (3) World Food Programme CFSVA, 2007 Supported by UNICEF as a pilot initiative, the Government of Iraq and civil society to Accelerated Learning Programme is now deliver sustainable and empowering literacy being extended to all the governorates of for all.

Iraq. 3) Community Learning Centres are For more information on the illiteracy in Iraq, currently eight pilot centres established by read the fact sheet ■

Education Government of Iraq approves a national school feeding programme By Caroline Legros, WFP-Iraq In line with supporting local development, WFP is strengthening the ability of local industries to produce the date bars inside Iraq. This has additional benefits for the local economy in terms of job creation and for the local procurement of dates, wheat flour, sugar and other ingredients which are required to produce the date bars. School feeding is an integral part of a cohesive social safety net system for Iraq. WFP is pleased that the Government of Iraq has taken ownership of this school feeding activity, including plans to budget for it in upcoming fiscal years. WFP will support the Ministry of Education with a transition strategy that will provide the base for a future national strategy for school feeding. This will strengthen the government’s capacity to design and implement similar programmes in line with international school feeding quality standards. WFP's school meal programmes work towards School girls in Baquba, Central Iraq enjoying their morning snack of date bars. Photo: WFP achieving several Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The programmes directly contribute to the goals of reducing hunger by he Government of Iraq and the World implement the programme from September half and achieving universal primary Food Programme (WFP) have 2011 to June 2012 onwards. education by 2015, and of achieving gender T partnered to develop a national school In Iraq, a nutritious snack of date bars will be parity in education by 2005. feeding programme, initiating distributed to the primary school children. While contributing over the long term to implementation with a USD 17 million These date bars are high in energy and combating poverty, school meals provide a contribution from the Government of Iraq. fortified with a range of vitamins and minerals, platform for directly addressing child health WFP will implement the school feeding ensuring that children get the nutrition they and nutrition. programme for the 2010-2011 academic year, need as studies show that it is difficult for For more information, please contact Caroline targeting the most vulnerable of Iraq. children to learn without adequate food and Legros, WFP Iraq: [email protected] ■ The agency will also be improving the ability of nutrition. the staff of the Ministry of Education to www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 8

Health Iraq’s first National Health Accounts survey completed

By Ruba Hikmat, WHO-Iraq economics in a country. In Iraq, the NHA survey tracks financially the healthcare system over 2008. The survey covered a wide range of contributors to the health sector financing in Iraq including the private sector, non-governmental organisations, the international community, health insurance and employers. Since October 2009, WHO has been thoroughly supporting the Health Ministry in the conduct of the NHA exercise. Following the development of survey tools for the NHA by a WHO consultant, WHO conducted several training sessions for the Ministry of Health officials at the central and the governorates level in all 18 Iraqi governorates. WHO trained 112 Iraqi professionals on basic concepts of NHA as well as the survey questionnaires and methodology in order to strengthen the capacity of government to undertake the WHO/EMRO along with other participants during the Regional Workshop on Framework for Decentralization of Health NHA exercise in the future with nil or Services in Amman-Jordan. Photo: WHO minimum external support. raq’s first National Health Accounts international standards and methods. The final NHA report is expected to (NHA) survey was successfully The preliminary results are expected to provide a comprehensive set of data of I completed in September 2010. The be released by the end of November flow of funds into the healthcare system Iraqi Health Ministry assisted by the 2010. in Iraq such as the source and use of World Health Organization (WHO), is in The NHA is a resource tracking exercise funds. Such information can assist Iraqi the process of entering data prior to that answers important questions policy makers in making an optimal proceeding with data analyses based on regarding healthcare financing and resource allocation for health care. ■

News Briefs

opportunities through the eradication of Message from SRSG poverty and access to education and Melkert on the basic health services and housing” Hailing the March 7 election as “an International Day of important stepping stone toward achieving these fundamental freedoms Democracy in Iraq”, SRSG Melkert described the post- On the occasion of the third celebration election process as a “chance of a of the International Day of Democracy, lifetime” for Iraqis to shape their future. marked worldwide on 15 September, the Women voters register at a voting centre in Baghdad. “The many lengthy discussions about Special Representative of the Secretary- Photo: UNAMI PIO constitution, elections and government General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Ad Melkert, formation are worthwhile as long as their addressed a message to Iraqi people and the right of each individual to choose outcome will bring about social progress leaders in which he emphasised that the their government and form of as well as stability and security, in reality essence of democracy lies in three governance enabled by inalienable demonstrating that democracy offers the features: “First, the recognition that human rights such as freedom of best conditions to achieve this”, SRSG where people and communities live expression and association and equal Melkert stressed, adding that “the United together conflicts of interest occur and participation of women and men. And, Nations stands by the Iraqi people to should be resolved in a peaceful manner thirdly, the creation of equal offer assistance in making democracy on the basis of the rule of law. Second, work for everyone”. ■

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 9

News Briefs

Nasser Al-Missned and UNESCO’s Special upgrading the capacity of Iraqi UNESCO calls for Envoy for Basic and Higher Education. LIFE, professionals at various levels. ■ joining forces to which is a 4 year project with a budget of USD 6.3 million, will contribute to strengthening Key stakeholders promote literacy in the capacity of the Iraqi Government and civil society to deliver sustainable and agree on Iraq empowering literacy for all. ■ recommendations on

draft KRG NGO law WHO contributes to Meeting in Erbil, on 25 September, Improving blood representatives of the Kurdistan Parliament, the Kurdistan Regional Government, the transfusion services Presidency Council of the Kurdistan Region, as well as International NGOs, agreed on in Iraq recommendations on the draft of the new The Iraqi Ministry of Health, in collaboration KRG NGO law following a three-day Marshlands’ photo: Children and youth joining the Liter- with the World Health Organization (WHO) roundtable on the topic involving all key acy Campaign in the Marshlands. Photo: UNESCO and the Jordan Directorate of Blood Bank, players. launched on 19 September a series of four Following extensive preparatory work, the On the occasion of International Literacy training sessions benefiting 50 Iraqi health three-day Roundtable Conference – which Day, celebrated globally on 8 September, cadres working in the Iraq National Blood was supported by international experts – UNESCO called on national institutions and Transfusion Center and Regional Blood provided participants with an opportunity civil society to join forces to promote Banks. The four sessions of three weeks to discuss the provisions of this draft in literacy for all as a tool for inclusive and each aim to increase the technical and detail. The main regulatory challenges in sustainable development in Iraq. managerial skills of Iraqi professionals to the law are the registration of NGOs, legal ensure safety of blood and blood products “I take this occasion to call upon guarantees to preserve the independence and optimize blood usage for patient governments, international organizations, of NGOs, and rules to prevent interference health. civil society and the private sector to scale in the work of NGOs by authorities or up their support to literacy,” stressed Irina political parties. Once passed, a progressive Bokova, Director General of UNESCO. law containing such provisions will help Literacy and women’s empowerment is the ensure the development of KRG civil theme for this year celebrations, which society. focuses on the importance of literacy and The Roundtable was organised by the gender equality as one of the global United Nations Office for Project Services strategic priorities for sustainable (UNOPS) and the International Center for development. Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) with funding from “Literacy is the necessary tool for social the European Union (EU), the Government of Finland and other donors through the development and peace building,” said SMS Training workshop in Amman. Photo: WHO Mohammed Djelid, Director of the UNESCO UNDG Iraq Trust Fund as well as the US Iraq Office, adding that “the achievement of Department of State – Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. the Literacy goal of reducing illiteracy by 50 Hosted by the Jordan Ministry of Health/ per cent by 2015 relies on the development Participants at the Roundtable also Directorate of Blood Bank, the training is included representatives of the Iraqi of an effective strategy and implementation funded by the European Union as part of of inclusive policies for literacy.” Council of Ministers Secretariat, the NGOs the three year project (Euro 13 million) to Directorate, the outgoing Chair of Iraqi To address illiteracy challenges, the strengthen Specialized Medical Services in Council of Representatives’ Civil Society Government of Iraq has developed new Iraq which started in January 2009. Committee, the Iraqi State Ministry of Civil literacy textbooks, introduced accelerated In the last few years, the Government of Society Affairs and international observers. learning programs, and opened new Iraq has taken the strategic decision to The outcomes of the Roundtable meeting literacy centres. However, equal access and improve blood transfusion services. In will serve members of the Kurdistan attendance remain obstacles to progress on support of these efforts, WHO, in close Parliament in their further work on a draft literacy in Iraq. collaboration with the Jordan Blood Bank, a law before the second and final reading of To help Iraq address these challenges, the WHO Collaborating Center, is providing to the bill. ■ UNESCO Iraq Office in 2010 launched the the Government of Iraq the necessary Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE) technical support to strengthen blood for Iraq with funding from the Office of the, transfusion services, including building and First Lady of Qatar, Ms. Sheikha Moza bint

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 10

Snapshots

United Nations in Action

UNESCO volved more than 27,000 people includ- • UNDP and WHO organised a Single ing volunteers, women illiterates, youth, • UNESCO and UNICEF launched the Stream Funding/Round 9 Grant Orientation community leaders, teachers and repre- Workshop for Iraq on 1 October in Amman, first national workshop for education sentatives of governmental institutions. under the joint "Iraq Public Sector Mod- following the allocation of a new grant by the UNESCO launched on 4 October ernisation Programme" funded through • Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Ma- the European Union. The workshop, or- 2010 a scientific survey of Iraq’s ground- laria to fight Tuberculosis in Iraq. To enable ganised in Erbil from 23 to 25 September water to help the Government’s capacity implementing partners smooth implementa- 2010, brought together for the first time address water shortages in the country. tion of the new grant, the workshop intro- ministry advisors, presidents of universi- The Survey is expected to provide a duced the SSF work plan and performance ties and heads of Directorates of Educa- wealth of new data on the status of framework, as well as the Fund’s performance- tion to present the current structure of groundwater enabling the government based funding requirements. It also discussed the sector and discuss the need for an in- to efficiently address water problems in updates and lessons learnt from the previous depth analysis of the ministries responsi- the most affected areas. The project will grant implementation in Iraq. The funding for ble for delivering quality education in also improve planning of new agriculture Iraq over the next five years granted by the Iraq. projects and enable sustainable manage- Global Fund totals USD 30 million. ■ ment of Iraq’s underground aquifers. • As part of its efforts to help the Iraqi Government and civil society put to- UNDP gether a national literacy campaign, UNESCO launched a grant programme • UNDP organised a workshop on 19-23 on the occasion of the International Liter- September in Erbil for 42 officers UNAMI Newsletter is published monthly by acy Day (8 September 2010) to mobilize from across Iraq, including Baghdad, Basrah the UNAMI Public Information Office. Con- tents do not necessarily reflect the official civil society towards the development of and the Kurdistan region. Focusing on the role of police in assisting survivors of gender-based position of the United Nations or that of a national Literacy Strategy for Iraq. UNAMI. Articles may be freely reproduced, Although the programme targeted 13 violence (GBV), the workshop addressed sev- with credit to UNAMI Newsletter. For com- National Iraqi NGOs, more than 60 Na- eral aspects of dealing with GBV, such as the ments and suggestions, contact tional NGOs joined the initiative and GBV definition, illustrative examples, the legal [email protected] generated public debate on the National framework for dealing with the GBV cases in Literacy Strategy and particularly on the Iraq as well as standard operating procedures Editor-in-Chief: Radhia Achouri for receiving survivors of violence at special- Managing Editor: Aicha Elbasri theme of literacy for women empower- Staff Writer: Randa Jamal ment. Overall, advocacy and awareness ised police stations. The trainers included Staff Writer: Laila Shamji raising activities, which took place in Iraq police from the Jordanian Family Protection Graphic Designer: Salar A. Brifkani during the last week of September, in- Unit, UNDP staff and the Iraq Train and Assist Mission.

Celebration of the International Peace Day in Erbil, Sep. 21 2010

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 11