On 26 March 2019, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) officially handed over a total of 286 durable core houses in three sites located in Ramadi, Fallujah and Karma, Anbar Governorate. Aiming at achieving the full realization of the right to adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, these sites were developed under the project titled "Gender-Sensitive Durable Shelter Support for Internally Displaced Persons in Iraq", generously funded by the Government of Japan.
During the conflict with ISIL, more than 29,000 houses were completely destroyed. Most of the owners of these destroyed houses were left without meaningful support to address their lack of housing, making it difficult to return. Under this project, UN-Habitat constructed durable core houses to accommodate vulnerable returnees whose houses had been completely destroyed. The three urban sites were planned, designed and developed through close community engagement and provided with basic services and infrastructure including roads, electricity, water and sewage networks. These core houses are designed and constructed in such a way that returnees can expand the living space either horizontally or vertically if and when they wish to do so.
The project represents significant contribution to integrate urban planning and physical interventions for post-conflict recovery and resilience as the development of the core houses to accommodate vulnerable displaced people who lost their homes is one of the key pillars of the "Housing Reconstruction Strategy", which has been developed by the Government of Iraq and UN-Habitat to provide guidance for housing reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas.
Mr. Jasim Mohammed, Deputy Governor of Anbar, expressed his hope to make Iraq a peaceful country with support from the United Nations and the international community, and ensured that the governorate will provide basic services including electricity, water and sanitation services to the beneficiaries of the project after the handover.
His Excellency Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Iraq, said that"I would like to extend my appreciation to all the people involved in this project. I sincerely hope houses constructed by this project will ease difficulties of vulnerable returnees. It is noteworthy that water piping materials produced by the Japanese company "Higashio Mech Fit Co. Ltd." are used in the housing units. In addition to this project, Japan has recently decided a new assistance package for Iraq amounting to USD 63 million, which includes an UN-Habitat project as a contribution to rehabilitate war-damaged houses and establish low-cost housing units to accommodate vulnerable returnees."
Ms. Marta Ruedas, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, praised the resilience of the population evident in the progress made in reconstruction so far and underscored the importance of this project as a model for the rest of Iraq, providing support to victims of fully destroyed houses. Ms. Ruedas also thanked the Government of Japan and the Governorate of Anbar for their support and affirmed the commitment of the United Nations to work in Anbar through collaboration with the governorate counterparts.
"The new core-house settlements in Ramadi, Falluja and Karma were planned by UN-Habitat as cities extensions where vulnerable returnees will have access to basic services and livelihood opportunities to enable the returnees to rebuild their lives", stated Dr. Erfan Ali, Deputy Regional Director of UN-Habitat.
They are built on sites that are adjacent to city centers, with access to services and livelihoods so that it is easier for the returnees to rebuild their lives.
UN-Habitat is tackling some of the causal issues of conflict and supporting peaceful return through its continuous efforts in addressing Housing, Land and Property rights of returnees in Iraq.
For further information, please contact:
Alan Miran
Media and Communications Specialist, UN-Habitat Iraq
Email: alan.miran@un.org
Mobile: + 964 750 342 7036
Website: unhabitat.org/iraq
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Twitter: twitter.com/UNHabitatIRAQ