Japan Contributes to UN-HABITAT’s rehabilitation efforts in Iraq 26 March 2004, Nairobi: UN-HABITAT’s activities in Iraq, received a boost when the Government of Japan announced today that, along with other UN agencies, three of UN-HABITAT’s projects will receive earmarked financial support as part of the US$ 360 million deposited by the Japanese Government into the UNDG Iraq Trust Fund. The three projects that will benefit are in the following areas: Rehabilitation of basic living infrastructure, Reconstruction of education facilities and Phase II of the community rehabilitation project. This commitment to UN-HABITAT by the Government of Japan follows an earlier contribution, in January this year, of US $8.8 million for a post-war school and community rehabilitation projects in southern Iraq. Speaking recently at the 12th Regular Session of UN-HABITAT’s Committee of Permanent Representatives in Nairobi, the Japanese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Makoto Asami, commended UN-HABITAT for its excellent work in Iraq stating that the Japanese Government hoped to continue working with the organization on the ongoing rehabilitation of the country. “I am grateful for the generosity of the Japanese Government. The commitment of these funds goes a long way towards the rehabilitation process in Iraq,” said Mrs. Tibaijuka. “Through these projects, the capacities of local construction industries will be improved, which can only help the country's reconstruction. At the same time, job opportunities will be created for ordinary Iraqi citizens from local communities.” The initial focus of UN-HABITAT’s Iraq Programme is on the lower south region of the country. Five weeks after receiving the first installment of Japanese funding, a total of 9 schools had been targeted for rehabilitation and many more are on the drawing board. On March 17th, the first contract was awarded for rehabilitation of a secondary school that accommodates 250 students. Another 4 schools have just been put out to tender and yet another batch of 4 schools are being assessed, in consultation with beneficiaries and local authorities. The existing housing stock and social infrastructure in Iraq is in poor condition especially because of neglect, conflict and economic sanctions, which has been exacerbated by post-war looting. Housing shortage has become even more critical because of a steady influx of returnees and refugees. Schools have deteriorated to the extent that over 70% of them require urgent rehabilitation. Given the high rate of unemployment in Iraq, one of the key objectives of the project is to generate employment opportunities. Another objective is to enhance the capacity of local contractors. To this end, the project is being implemented through small local contractors using labour-intensive methods of construction. As the project unfolds, local contractors are being encouraged to register with UN-HABITAT and over 34 of them have already done so. To speed up the implementation of the project, UN-HABITAT is also in the process of engaging NGOs as implementation partners. Steps are also underway to start work on the community rehabilitation component of the project in consultations with local authorities, community groups and NGOs, especially to identify most needy beneficiaries. Highly vulnerable families such as those headed by war widows, the elderly and the handicapped are target beneficiaries. Background information: UN-HABITAT has considerable experience in Iraq especially under the Oil-for–Food programme. Before it was stopped on 21st November, last year, UN-HABITAT successfully managed a $660 million programme in Northern Iraq comprising 21000 housing units, 475 primary schools, 220 secondary schools,130 health centres, 560 kilometers of water and sewerage systems, 2700 km of roads and 110 facilities to support community activities. UN-HABITAT’s experience in the planning and implementation of housing and infrastructure programmes in Iraq encompasses not only housing, but most of the key infrastructure sectors and constitutes its comparative advantage. More recently, as coordinator of the Housing and Urban Management cluster of the UN Strategic Plan for Iraq, UN-HABITAT has established a High Level Advisory Panel to work on a new integrated Urban and Housing Rehabilitation Programme for Iraq. This is being undertaken in consultation with the Iraqi Minister of Public Works and Municipalities, Mrs. Nasreen Berwari, and senior representatives of other ministries. A team of more than 15 prominent Iraqi experts, has been working on the new Programme and a related fund-mobilisation strategy. Priority needs for international assistance to the Iraqi urban and housing sector are estimated at US$ 369 million over the next four years. The programme has six components - local governance and municipal management; poverty reduction and slum upgrading; employment generation in the construction sector, a housing finance/ housing fund; a policy and strategy for shelter; and urban information systems. For further information, please contact: Mr. Sharad Shankardass, Spokesperson, or Ms. Zahra A. Hassan, Media Liaison, Press & Media relations Unit, Tel: (254 20) 623153/623151, Fax: (254 20) 624060, E-mail: habitat.press@unhabitat.org, Website: www.unhabitat.org Note: for detailed information on UN-HABITAT’s Iraq programme see http://www.unhabitat.org/iraq/