The KfW Development Bank and UNOPS signed a new agreement to support the conflict-affected communities and to enhance their access to basic public services in Anbar and Sinjar, Iraq.
With the support from the Federal Republic of Germany, through KfW Development Bank, UNOPS will rehabilitate war-damaged shelters and basic community infrastructure such as water and sanitation stations and networks, roads and solar street lighting as well as provide capacity building training to relevant stakeholders.
Her Excellency Christiane Hohmann, German Ambassador to Iraq, said:
"Through the rehabilitation of housing and basic local infrastructure, we support IDPs in Iraq together with KfW and UNOPS. I am pleased to announce that we will expand our engagement beyond Anbar with an additional focus on the Sinjar region. This will support the Ezidi [Yazidi, Yezidi] community to return home".
Muhammad Usman Akram, UNOPS Director of Amman Multi-Country Office, said:
"The new financial agreement is a testament to the Federal Republic of Germany's commitment to supporting Iraq. The new funding complements and builds on the success of the project's previous two phases. Together with KfW and local authorities we strive to support the country's efforts to improve living conditions for people as they continue to return to their homes."
The new agreement marks the third phase of the Local Infrastructure in Rural Anbar project with KfW in Anbar governorate. The agreement for the first phase was signed in December 2020 for the rehabilitation of 1,000 war-damaged shelters.
Dr. Anna-Christine Janke, Director of KfW Office in Iraq, said:
"We very much look forward to continuing supporting this project with a third phase. In close cooperation with relevant Iraqi authorities, we will rehabilitate war-damaged shelters and improve basic living conditions for returnees in rural Anbar and in Sinjar."
With the additional funding of EUR 15 million or more then USD 16 million for the implementation of the third phase of the project, the total project budget will increase to EUR 50 million (USD 54 million).
The additional funding will help to continue improving basic living conditions for returnees in rural areas of Anbar Governorate as well as expand operations into Sinjar district in the Ninewa Governorate, enabling UNOPS to assist more than 466,000 women, men, boys and girls who have returned to the affected areas.
(Source: UN)
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