Iraq: Boost for aid, reconstruction as three-year deal signed with UN

BAGHDAD, 14 August 2008 (IRIN) – The Iraqi government and the UN have signed a three-year cooperation agreement [ UN Assistance Strategy for Iraq 2008-2010] to support Iraq’s reconstruction, development and humanitarian needs, the UN Mission for Assisting Iraq (UNAMI) said on 13 August.

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[T]he agreement will be funded through three primary mechanisms to achieve its key economic and social goals: substantial cost-sharing by Iraq’s government; international support through the Iraq Trust Fund; and the Humanitarian Appeal.

The agreement contains development and humanitarian solutions for better essential social services such as education and water, and protection for highly vulnerable groups.

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Basil al-Azawi, head of the Baghdad-based Commission for Civil Society Enterprises, an umbrella group of over 1,000 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), said “Iraq’s situation is a disastrous one despite the soaring oil revenues.”

“All Iraqis are going through a very deteriorated humanitarian situation with poor public services such as drinking water, sewage networks and electricity, coupled with damage to their environment,” al-Azawi told IRIN.

Source: IRIN, 14 Aug 2008