Report of the Administrative Agent of the UNDG ITF for the Period Ending 31 December 2011

Transcription

1 2011 Annual (Twelfth) Progress Report on Activities Implemented under the United Nations Development Group Iraq Trust Fund (UNDG ITF) of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) Report of the Administrative Agent of the UNDG ITF for the Period Ending 31 December 2011 Multi Partner Trust Fund Office Bureau of Management United Nations Development Programme 31 May 2012

2 UNDG Iraq Trust Fund Participating Organizations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Labour Organization (ILO) International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) United Nations Department of Public Affairs/Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 i

3 Participating Organizations United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) World Food Programme (WFP) World Health Organization (WHO) Contributing Donors Australia Belgium Canada Denmark European Union Finland Germany Greece Iceland India Ireland Italy Japan Kuwait Luxembourg The Netherlands Norway Qatar Republic of Korea Spain Sweden Turkey United Kingdom United States 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 ii

4 Abbreviations and acronyms AA ALP AWP BFF BHSP CBD CCA CIDA CMC CoR CSO CSR DaO DFID DoHS DSRSG EAD EC EC RRM ECD EFA EIDHR EMIS EOD ERF ESCWA FAO FMD FR FTE GBV GIF GIS GoI Administrative Agent Accelerated Learning Programme Annual Work Plan Bright Future Foundation Basic Health Services Package congenital birth defects Common Country Assessment Canadian International Development Agency Communications and Media Commission Council of Representatives Central Statistical Organization, also: civil society organizations corporate social responsibility Delivering as One (initiative) Department for International Development (UK) Directorate of Health Services Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Electoral Assistance Division (United Nations) European Commission European Commission Rapid Reaction Mechanism Early childhood development Education for All European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights Educational Management Information System explosive ordnance disposal Expanded Humanitarian Response Fund Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Foot and Mouth Disease functional review Foundation of Technical Education gender based violence Government Inter operability Framework Geographical Information System Government of Iraq 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 iii

5 HIS HJC HPS HR HRO I PSM ICI ICNL IDMS IDP IFI IHEC IHCHR IIEP IKN ILD ILO IMCI IOM IPSAS IREX IRFFI ISRB IRD ITF JCI JPN KHCW KRG KRSO LGA LIFE LLE LOA MDG MNAR Health Information System Higher Judicial Council Health Promoting Schools (initiative) human resources Human Rights Office Iraq Public Sector Modernisation Programme International Compact with Iraq International Center for Not for Profit Law Iraq Development Management System internally displaced person Iraqi Federation of Industries Independent High Electoral Commission Independent High Commission for Human Rights International Institute for Educational Planning Iraq Knowledge Network Iraqi Legal Database International Labour Organization Integrated Management of Childhood Illness International Organization for Migration International Public Sector Accounting Standards International Research & Exchanges Board International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq Iraq Strategic Review Board International Relief and Development Iraq Trust Fund Joint Commission International Justice Network for Prisoners Kurdistan High Commission of Women Kurdistan Regional Government Kurdistan Regional Statistics Office Local Governance Assessment Literacy Initiative for Empowerment Lessons Learned Exercise Letter of Agreement Millennium Development Goal Micronutrient Assessment and Response 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 iv

6 MOU MPTF MICS MMPW MMR MoU MoA MoC MoCH MoCRA MoDM MoEd MoEl MoEn MoF MoH MoI MoIM MoHESR MoHR MoJ MoLSA MoP MoPDC MoT MoWA MoWR MoYS MPTF Office NCCI NCCMD NDP NDS NGO NIC NID Memorandum of Understanding Multi Partner Trust Fund Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works maternal mortality rate Memorandum of Understanding Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Communications Ministry of Construction and Housing Ministry of Council Representative Affairs Ministry of Displacement and Migration Ministry of Education Ministry of Electricity Ministry of Environment Ministry of Finance Ministry of Health Ministry of Interior Ministry of Industry and Minerals Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry of Human Rights Ministry of Justice Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Ministry of Planning Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation Ministry of Trade Ministry of Women s Affairs Ministry of Water Resources Ministry of Youth and Sports Multi Partner Trust Fund Office NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq National Centre for Consultancy and Management Development National Development Plan National Development Strategy nongovernmental organization National Investment Commission National Immunization Days 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 v

7 NFE NRI NSS OHCHR OECD PAC PAPFAM PARC PCN PHC PHCC PHSS POT PMAC PPDT PRS PSDP I PwC PWG RBM RC RICC SCSO SME SMoWA SOPs SOT SOE SIDA TFER TOR TOT TVET UN UNAIDS UNAMI Non formal education National Research Institute National Statistical System Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (United Nations) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Protection and Assistance Center Pan Arab Project for Family Health Protection Assistance and Reintegration Centre Programme/Project Concept Note Primary Health Care Primary Healthcare Centers Programme for Human Security and Stabilization Protection Outcome Team Prime Minister s Advisory Commission Programme for the Protection of Detainees and Torture Victims Poverty Reduction Strategy Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme for Iraq PricewaterhouseCoopers Priority Working Group Results based management Resident Coordinator (UN) Return Integration and Community Centre Steering Committee Support Office Small and medium sized enterprises State Ministry of Women s Affairs Standard Operating Procedures Sector Outcome Team State Owned Enterprises Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Task Force for Economic Reform terms of reference Training of Teachers/Training of Trainers Technical and vocational education and training United Nations Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 vi

8 UNCT UNCTAD UNDAF UNDG UNDP UNEP UNESCO UNFPA UN HABITAT UNHCR UNICEF UNIDO UNIFEM UNODC UNOPS UN Women UPR USAID VTC WATSAN WB WFP WHO United Nations Country Team United Nations Conference on Trade and Development United Nations Development Assistance Framework United Nations Development Group United Nations Development Programme United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Population Fund United Nations Human Settlements Programme United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees United Nations Children s Fund United Nations Industrial Development Organization United Nations Development Fund for Women United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime United Nations Office for Project Services United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Universal Periodic Review United States Agency for International Development Vocational Training Center Water and Sanitation World Bank World Food Programme World Health Organization 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 vii

9 Definitions Allocation Amount approved by the relevant steering committee for a project/programme. Annual Work Plan (AWP) Required United Nations Development Group (UNDG) Agency plans that set out the activities to be undertaken during the year to reach the results specified in the Agency s Country Programme Action Plan. AWPs include a timeframe, budget and responsibilities for completing the activities. Approved Project/Programme A project or programme that has been approved by the relevant steering committee(s) for fund allocation purposes. Donor Commitment A contribution expected to be received or already deposited by a donor, as per signed Letter of Agreement (LOA) or Standard Administrative Arrangement (SAA), with the UNDP Multi Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office), in its capacity as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Fund. Donor Deposit Cash deposit received by the MPTF Office for the Fund. Direct Cost Cost that can be traced to or identified as part of the cost of a project or programme. Indirect Support Cost A general cost that cannot be directly related to any particular programme or activity of the Participating Organization. Under UN MPTFs, these costs amount to up to a maximum of 7 percent as per the UNDG agreed MPTF cost recovery. Net Funded Amount Amount transferred to a Participating Organization less refund of unspent balances received from Participating Organizations. Participating Organizations Organizations that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MPTF Office. Project Commitment Amount for which legally binding contracts have been signed, including multi year commitments that may be disbursed in future years. Project Disbursement The amount paid to a vendor or entity for goods received, work completed, and/or services rendered (does not include unliquidated obligations). Project Expenditure Amount of unliquidated obligations plus disbursements made during the year Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 viii

10 Project Financial Closure A project or programme is considered financially closed when all financial obligations of an operationally completed project or programme have been settled, and no further financial charges may be incurred. Project Operational Closure A project or programme is considered operationally closed when all activities for which a Participating Organization is responsible under the approved programmatic document have been completed. Project/Programme/Joint Programme Document An Annual Work Plan (AWP) or a programme/project document that has been approved by the steering committee for fund allocation purposes. Project Start Date Date of transfer of first instalment from the MPTF Office to the Participating Organization. Total Approved Budget Amount approved by the Steering Committee Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 ix

11 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... XIII 1 INTRODUCTION STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AND GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS Iraq United Nations Development Assistance Framework UNDG ITF Governance Arrangements IRFFI DONOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS Eleventh Donor Meeting Twelfth Donor Meeting FUND CLOSURE BENCHMARKS AND PROCEDURES Fund Closure Benchmarks Fund Closure Procedures LESSONS LEARNED EXERCISE What Worked Well Opportunity for Improvements How the UN in Iraq Institutionalized Lessons Learned PROGRAMME/PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STATUS Fund Transfers Implementation Status Operational and Financial Closure Status OVERALL FUND ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES Overall Challenges Summary of UNDAF Priority Areas Achievements and Challenges PRIORITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Environment Priority Area Essential Social Services Priority Area Water and Sanitation Essential Social Services Priority Area Education Essential Social Services Priority Area Health and Nutrition Essential Social Services Priority Area Housing Essential Social Services Priority Area Food Security Human Capital Priority Area FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Financial Overview Donor Contributions Earned Interest Transfer and Balance of Funds Expenditure Reported by Participating Organizations Cost Recovery TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 x

12 Tables Table 4 1 Approved Timetable Benchmarks for Fund Closure... 5 Table 4 2 Schedule of Operational Closure, Cumulative, as of 31 December Table 5 1 Lessons Learned in Joint Programmes... 9 Table 6 1 Tranche Transfers by Approved Programme, as of 31 December Table 6 2 Overall Status of Project Implementation by Sector, as of 31 December Table 6 3 Overall Status of Project Implementation by Priority Working Group, as of 31 December Table 6 4 Schedule of Operational Closure, Cumulative, as of 31 December Table 8 1 Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 2 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Governance and Human Rights Table 8 3 Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 4 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Inclusive Economic Growth Table 8 5 Environment Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 6 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Environment Table 8 7 Table 8 8 Essential Social Services Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Water and Sanitation Table 8 9 Essential Social Services Education Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 10 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Education Table 8 11 Essential Social Services Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 12 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Health and Nutrition Table 8 13 Essential Social Services Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 14 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Housing Table 8 15 Essential Social Services Food Security Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 16 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Food Security Table 8 17 Human Capital Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 18 Table of Project Status update and the Corresponding Outcome Human Capital Table 9 1 Financial Overview, Cumulative as of 31 December Table 9 2 Total Donor Deposits into the UNDG ITF, as of 31 December Table 9 3 Earmarked/Un earmarked Net Donor Contributions, by Sector, Cumulative as of 31 December Table 9 4 Received Interest (Agency and Fund), Cumulative as of 31 December Table 9 5 Apportionment of Un allocated Interest and Unspent (Refund) Balances in Proportion to Total Donor Deposits, as of 31 December 2011 (US$) Table 9 6 Net Funded Amount by Sector, Cumulative as of 31 December Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xi

13 Table 9 7 Table 9 8 Transfer of Net Funded Amounts by Participating Organization, Cumulative as of 31 December Financial Delivery Rates by Sector for Prior, Current and Cumulative Years, as of 31 December Table 9 9 Total Expenditure by Category and Reporting Period Table 9 10 Total Expenditure by Sector, as of 31 December Table 9 11 Total Expenditure by Participating UN Organization, with Breakdown by Category, Cumulative as of 31 December Figures Figure 6 1 Annual Increase in Project/Programme Closures, Figure 6 2 Fund Closure Status as a Percentage of Portfolio, as of 31 March Figure 7 1 Mapping of Projects/Programmes from Sectors to UNDAF Priority Areas Figure 8 1 Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Map Figure 8 2 Governance and Human Rights Project Implementation Status Figure 8 3 Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Map Figure 8 4 Inclusive Economic Growth Project Implementation Status Figure 8 5 Environment Priority Area Outcomes Map Figure 8 6 Environment Priority Area Project Implementation Status Figure 8 7 Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Map Figure 8 8 Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Figure 8 9 Education Sub Priority Area Map Figure 8 10 Education Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Figure 8 11 Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Map Figure 8 12 Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Figure 8 13 Housing Sub Priority Area Map Figure 8 14 Housing Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Figure 8 15 Food Security Sub Priority Area Map Figure 8 16 Food Security Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Figure 8 17 Human Capital Priority Area Map Figure 8 18 Human Capital Priority Area Outcomes Project Implementation Status Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xii

14 Executive Summary Introduction The 2011 Annual (Twelfth) Progress Report on Activities Implemented under the United Nations Development Group Iraq Trust Fund (UNDG ITF) of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) is submitted to the Ministry of Planning (MoP) of the Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Donors to the UNDG ITF by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office), in its capacity as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the UNDG ITF in fulfillment of the reporting provisions of the Letter of Agreement (LOA). The information presented in this Progress Report covers the period 1 January to 31 December The Eleventh IRFFI Donor Committee meeting took place in Baghdad on 14 June 2011, hosted by the GoI. During the meeting, the UN and the World Bank presented the annual progress updates and informed the Donor Committee that the overall IRFFI and the UNDG ITF and World Bank ITF closure benchmarks were on track. Lessons Learned Exercise During the reporting period, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) completed the independent Lessons Learned Exercise (LLE) that assessed the operational and development effectiveness of UNDG ITF. The exercise commenced in 2010 and the final report was completed in June The findings were formally presented to the IRFFI Donor Committee and UNDG ITF Steering Committee members at the January 2012 IRFFI Donor Committee meeting. The findings indicated an overall positive and successful experience, providing evidence of the UN in Iraq delivering as one, with good operational efficiency and strong sector results. Strategic Framework Iraq s United Nations Country Team (UNCT), led by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) signed its first Iraq UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in 2010, while the GoI simultaneously finalized its first National Development Plan (NDP). The UNDAF and NDP provide future direction for Iraq s and the UNCT s strategic priorities for Report Structure The Annual Progress report is structured into nine main sections. Section One provides a brief introduction on the overall developments and activities. Section Two provides information on the strategic background and governance arrangements. Section Three provides highlights from the IRFFI Donor meetings. Section Four includes the status of the UNDG ITF closure benchmarks, while Section Five highlights the LLE findings. Section Six provides details on programme implementation status and Section Seven provides a summary of overall achievements and challenges as highlighted by the Participating UN Organizations and Priority Working Groups (PWGs). Section Eight, prepare and contributed by the UN Country Team PWGs, highlights the achievements during the reporting period. Section Nine provides data and analysis on the financial performance of the UNDG ITF during the reporting period and cumulatively. Project Implementation Status As of 31 December 2011, out of 200 approved projects/programmes, 49 were active and 90 were reported as operationally closed. In addition, 61 projects/programmes were reported as financially closed or in the final stages of financial closure. Collectively, 75 percent of the portfolio has completed project implementation Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xiii

15 Priority Working Group Status and Achievements, as of 31 December 2011 Governance and Human Rights: 55 UNDG ITF projects 16 active and 39 closed. In this reporting period actions have continued to lay the groundwork for a critical human rights infrastructure and culture. Significant focus was given to assessing and improving Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) complaints and electoral dispute resolution processes, and to enhancing IHEC s understanding of international best practices in managing different technical electoral processes such voter registration. In support of public sector modernization, a conference on Decentralization and Local Governance brought stakeholders together in one venue for the first time ever to discuss issues of decentralization and the role of local government in service delivery. The Iraq Ministry of Human Rights drafted a national action plan on human rights and presented this for discussion at a national conference with civil society stakeholders. This led to the establishment of an Iraqi federation of human rights defenders. Challenges for this reporting period include (i) a political vacuum and uncertainty negatively impacted government decision making mechanisms, and (ii) persistent difficulties bringing about gender balance in governance and human rights activities. For the selection of Human Rights Commissioners, for instance, there are only 37 women among the 164 shortlisted candidates from 3,085 applicants. Inclusive Economic Growth: 35 UNDG ITF projects 10 active and 25 closed. A variety of activities occurred during this reporting period to build the policy and regulatory environment for inclusive growth. A Cabinet endorsed Task Force for Economic Reforms and seven Working Groups were established with state and private sector membership. Their activities range from development of a Draft Law for Economic Reforms to approval of the Roadmap for Restructuring of State Owned Enterprises by the Iraqi Cabinet. Under the Emergency Rehabilitation of the Mussayib Power Station Stage II project, staff technical capabilities were upgraded to not only operate and maintain the unit but also to assess the requirements for rehabilitation of other units and to undertake repair and maintenance works with minimum international supervision. Three trainings on Social Safety Net impact analysis and design were conducted in Amman, Erbil, and Baghdad for 19 staff from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA). These activities took place in a challenging programming environment where the size of Iraq s oil revenues inhibits efforts to diversify its economy, limiting the ability of the Iraqi economy to create sustainable jobs and reduce poverty. Environment: 15 projects 1 active and 14 closed. In this reporting period the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) established pilot projects for Water Users Associations in 15 of 18 governorates (3 in the KRG) and two irrigation projects Al Ishaky and Mesopotamia. Ten engineers in each Governorate were trained to carry on this task. A law for the establishment of a National Water Council was drafted. A preliminary organizational assessment for the Ministry of Environment was finalized. Working Groups have been established on climate change mitigation, adaptation and vulnerability. Sanitary inspection has been completed for about 1,600 drinking water resources at Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar and Anbar Governorates. Rehabilitation of 110 shallow wells in the KRG region (Dahuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniya) has been completed. A national committee for drought mitigation has been formed. The first programme under the Environment Priority Area, Development of National Framework for Integrated Drought Risk Management (DRM) in Iraq, was approved and is funded by the Iraq UNDAF Fund. Challenges cited include that the weak institutional capacity of the Ministry of Environment (MoEn) and its unclear mandate within the GoI makes it difficult to coordinate the works of other stakeholders. The lack of funding hindered the implementation of most of the planned programmes/projects for The regional dimensions of some of the environmental issues in Iraq (e.g. sandstorms, marshlands) exceeds the mandate of the Iraq United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xiv

16 Essential Social Services: 90 projects 18 active and 72 closed. Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) During this reporting period, four coordination meetings were called, leading to improved communication and to the development of a monitoring framework. A singular constraint to planning, however, is the absence of necessary national policies. At present, there is no Integrated Water Resources Management strategy and budget reductions are interfering with infrastructure development and maintenance. Water security efforts include completion of the sanitary inspection for Sarchinar water facility where the chlorination system s storage, operation and maintenance have been improved. The rehabilitation/extension of the Bakhtiary quarter water network benefits 40,000 people and rehabilitation/extension of the Sarchinar quarter water network benefits 20,000 people. For solid waste management, the supply of municipal garbage collection and disposal facilities, including trucks, semi trailers and a compactor, has improved sanitary conditions in Thi Qar, Anbar, Sulaimaniya, Erbil and Basra. Municipal level capacities to manage solid waste have improved in 18 Governorates upon development of solid waste management master plans for Basra, Sulaimaniya, Anbar, Thi Qar and Erbil. Training and capacity building activities have been conducted on waste management, including information systems benefitting 40 staff from the Basra Governorate. Procurement of garbage collectors was carried out for Anbar, Thi Qar and Sulaimaniya Governorates. Around 15,000 people benefitted from hygiene promotion campaigns. UNICEF, with five partners, launched the WASH in Schools programme in 194 schools in 15 Iraqi Governorates. Education In this reporting period, both the final draft of the National Education Strategy and an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Strategy in Education were developed. Capacity building trainings were provided that targeted 1,500 Ministry of Education (MoEd) trainees. Twenty five new schools were built, replacing old mud schools, for about 7,500 primary and intermediate level students and 2,250 out of school children in Sulaimaniya, Salah Eddin and Thi Qar. The MoEd developed new literacy curricula including new textbooks and three teacher s literacy guidebooks for the Arabic Language, Mathematics and General Culture. Within the framework of the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE) for Iraq, national advocacy campaigns targeted more than 30,000 Iraqis. More than 700 hours of external TV programs have been developed for the TV library to be broadcasted and used in the production of new educational TV programs. Joint programmes have faced challenges concerning coordination between participating agencies. Frequent delays were experienced in the delivery of equipment due to the delay in receiving tax exemption letters from MoEd, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), resulting in extra costs for demurrage fees. Health and Nutrition In this reporting period, WHO supported the process of strengthening the health system s primary health care model, based on a family practice approach and availability of a basic health services package at each level of the health system. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) collected data about the percentage of pregnant women with anemia for the Iraqi Women Integrated Social and Health Survey project. The World Health Organization (WHO) assessed the Basra Children s Hospital to identify needs and gaps for health services staffing and training for the hospital s eventual Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Eleven Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) were completed and handed over to Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Directorate of Health (DoH). A national workshop was held for the development of the National HIV/AIDS Control Strategic Plan. To support the GoI in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, the Micronutrient Assessment and Response (MNAR) survey was conducted in all Governates. Four rounds of polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) were held, targeting 5.4 million children under the age of five years across the country, with more than 90 percent national 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xv

17 coverage rate achieved. UNICEF supported the fourth Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS4) which will produce a wide range of scientifically built and tested indicators to provide a realistic and detailed picture of the situation of women and children in Iraq. Measles NIDs for children ages 6 to 36 months old were held with more than 92 percent national coverage rate achieved. Despite improvements, the security situation remains one of the main challenges in achieving the planned implementation. The political sphere is also considered another main challenge, especially because most data collection activities were delayed or postponed as a result of the political tensions or impacts. Housing Political tensions throughout 2011 created a difficult environment for housing sector reforms, particularly as such reforms involve consensus among a range of ministries that are linked to the housing sector (the Ministry of Construction and Housing (MoCH), Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW), Ministry of Planning (MoP), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM)). In spite of this, there was progress on a number of fronts. The Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) prepared a comprehensive plan for dealing with shelter needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs). To meet the critical housing shortages of the most vulnerable and to build the private housing sector, the new minister for Construction and Housing (MoCH) requested 2 billion dollars from the GoI to develop economic housing and 1 billion dollars to expand the National Housing Fund. Government counterparts have reviewed drafts of the KRG Housing Strategy, the MoCH Housing Policy Implementation Plan, the Evaluation of National Housing Policy and Strategies, and the Housing Sector Institutional Needs Assessment. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT) completed neighborhood master plans for two informal settlements in Erbil through community consultative processes. The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) completed 3840 shelters (1223 in the north, 1920 in the center, and 697 in the south) and 652 shelters are under construction (205 in the center and 447 in the south). International Relief & Development (IRD) has rehabilitated 764 houses for IDPs and returnees in Baghdad, Babil, and Anbar, benefiting 7,985 individuals. The main constraint facing the achievement of most of the housing outputs is incomplete mobilization of funding for technical assistance. The slow process of land allocation is also impeding delivery of new housing for IDPs. Food Security The drafting of an agricultural policy continues to move forward along with the development of a costed agricultural sector investment strategy. An international workshop was conducted for 15 participants on foot and mouth disease (FMD), rabies and veterinary legislations. Two workshops on FMD and brucellosis involved 240 participants. To improve the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) facilities, equipment deliveries included vacuum pumps and sonar for dairy activities. Incubators for embryo transfer technology will be delivered in April Three milk collection centers were rehabilitated and the installation of the milk collection equipment for Al Sewera, Al Wehad and Al Taji centers was completed. For seed supply improvements, a total of 22 greenhouses have been installed to develop new seed varieties. Three units of seed processing plants are in the delivery stage to improve the quality of seeds. The seed law is within parliamentary debate and once approved it will enhance the regulatory framework in the seed sector. Under the cash for work programme, a total of 60 percent of the targeted IDPs and returnees have used cash to buy food, thus improving their household food security. Continuous political wrangling in the Governorates influenced program implementation in a number of ways, such as through cumbersome procedures for approving training course subjects, selection of course participants, training venues, timing of training provision, etc. The lack of targeting of food rations to the poorest segments of Iraq s population is a major source of inefficiency in the Public Distribution System. The lack of funding for non ITF projects hindered the start up of most planned programmes/projects for Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xvi

18 Human Capital: 5 projects 4 active and 1 closed. In this reporting period, a national bi lingual Vocational Training Center (VTC) Network was operationalized, linking all Iraqi VTCs. Through the Strengthening Protection and Justice for Children and Young People in Iraq project, 94 teachers were trained to deliver life skills education to children while in youth centres. 1,171 youth were trained on life skills. 85 children (82 cases in 2011) were provided with legal aid by UNICEF s partner organization in Baghdad, Basra and Ninewa. The University of Baghdad and the College of Law established a Restorative Justice Research and Training Unit to help children in conflict with the law. Institutional, technical and operational capacities were strengthened for two ministries focusing on women s affairs, the State Ministry of Women s Affairs (SMoWA) and the Kurdistan High Commission of Women (KHCW), including finalizing a National Strategy to Eliminate Violence against Women. Seven ministries integrated the Strategy into their annual work plans. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), in close coordination with the SMoWA was able to finalize a first draft of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women. The sector reports implementation delays caused by the continuous change in decision makers in the Government of Iraq (GoI). Vulnerability and exposure to violence has increased among internally displaced women. Financial Performance The final donor contributions to the UNDG ITF stands at $1.36 billion. No new donor contributions were permitted after 30 June An additional $75.59 million in Agency and Fund earned interest brought the total funding as of 31 December 2011 to $1.43 billion. The final UNDG ITF portfolio includes 200 projects and joint programmes valued at $1.43 billion. Of this amount, $1.37 billion was transferred and subsequently $18.03 million was returned as unused by the Participating Organizations, thereby reducing the cumulative funded amount to $1.35 billion. The balance of funds remaining with the AA, $58.30 million, will be transferred in future tranches to approved programmes. During the reporting period, a total of $80.36 million was expended. Cumulative expenditures as of 31 December 2011 amounted to $1.27 billion or 94 percent of the $1.35 billion of the total net funded amount. As of 31 December 2011, a total of $75.59 million in interest income has been reported, comprised of fund level earned interest of $34.64 million and reported interest earnings from Participating UN Organizations of $40.94 million. Transparency and Accountability The MPTF Office continued to provide regular information on the operations of the UNDG ITF on its GATEWAY page ( The GATEWAY ( is a knowledge platform providing real time data, with a maximum two hour delay, on financial information from the MPTF Office accounting system on donor contributions, programme budgets and transfers to Participating UN Organizations. All narrative reports are published on the MPTF Office GATEWAY, which provides easy access to more than 8,000 relevant reports and documents, with tools and tables displaying financial and programme data. By providing easy access to the growing number of progress reports and related documents uploaded by users in the field, it facilitates knowledge sharing and management among UN Organizations. It is designed to provide transparent, accountable fund management services to the UN system to enhance its coherence, effectiveness and efficiency. The MPTF Office GATEWAY has been recognized as a standard setter by peers and partners Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December 2011 xvii

19 1 Introduction The 2011 Annual (Twelfth) Progress Report on Activities Implemented under the United Nations Development Group Iraq Trust Fund (UNDG ITF) of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) is submitted to the Ministry of Planning (MoP) of the Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Donors to the UNDG ITF by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office), in its capacity as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the UNDG ITF in fulfillment of the reporting provisions of the Letter of Agreement (LOA). The information presented in this Progress Report covers the period 1 January to 31 December The Report is consolidated based on information and data contained in the individual progress reports and financial statements submitted by Participating Organizations to the MPTF Office. It is neither an evaluation of the UNDG ITF nor the MPTF Office s assessment of the performance of the Participating Organizations tasks that belong to an independent evaluation. The information presented in this Progress Report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December The information presented covers the current reporting period as well as the previous eleven periods of progress reporting to provide a comprehensive update on the status of the UNDG ITF. During the reporting period, the United Nations Country Team 1 (UNCT) shifted from Sector level reporting to Priority Area reporting, to harmonizing reporting with the Iraq United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The individual PWG reports contained in Section 8 have been prepared by the PWG members and submitted to the MPTF Office. The final date for donor contributions to the UNDG ITF was the 30 June 2009 based on fund closure benchmarks established by the IRFFI Donor Committee. The final total deposits in the UNDG ITF are $1.36 billion. A total of $75.59 million in Agency and Fund earned interest brought the total funding as of 31 December 2011 to $1.43 billion. From 1 January to 31 December 2011 only one transfer was made based on a second tranche of a previously approved joint programme for a total of $9.96 million. The approved IRFFI/UNDG ITF closure timeline and benchmarks were adhered to within the reporting period. Agreement on the use/disposal of unspent funds and balances was taken by 30 June 2011 as specified in the Fund closure benchmarks. The IRFFI Donor Committee made a decision on the use of interest that accrues on the balance of the UNDG ITF, both at the Fund and Agency level, as well as balances that may possibly remain after the completion of approved projects. With three exceptions, the donors agreed to allocate any remaining balances of the UNDG ITF funds as of 30 June 2010, and subsequent returns of unspent and interest funds, to the new Iraq UNDAF Fund. The Eleventh IRFFI Donor Committee meeting took place in Baghdad on 14 June 2011, hosted by the GoI. During the meeting, the UN and the World Bank presented the annual progress updates and informed the Donor Committee that the closure benchmarks were on track. During the reporting period, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) completed the independent Lessons Learned Exercise (LLE) that assessed the operational and development effectiveness of UNDG ITF. The exercise commenced in 2010 and the final report was completed in June The findings were formally presented to the IRFFI Donor Committee and UNDG ITF Steering Committee members at the January 2012 meeting. The findings indicated an overall positive and successful experience, providing evidence of the UN in Iraq delivering as one, with good operational efficiency and strong sector results. 1 The UNCT for Iraq is comprised of the following agencies, offices, programmes and funds: FAO, ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN HABITAT, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women, UNOPS, WFP, WHO, UNIDO, OHCHR, ESCWA, UNEP, UNCTAD and UNODC Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

20 2 Strategic Framework and Governance Arrangements 2.1 Iraq United Nations Development Assistance Framework The UNCT for Iraq and the GoI developed the first United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) The UNDAF, as a strategic framework, is aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the five UNDAF priorities that guide the UNCT in addressing the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) related development priorities over the coming four years. The UNDAF articulates five priority areas: Improved governance, including human rights; Inclusive, more equitable and sustainable economic growth; Environmental management and compliance; Increased access to quality essential services; Investment in human capital and empowerment of women, youth and children. The emphasis of the UNDAF articulates a transition from a focus on Iraq s recovery towards longer term development in line with Iraq s NDP It embodies the Paris Principles and covers the full spectrum of MDGs, enabling the UNCT to provide comprehensive support to the efforts of the Iraqi state to achieve the MDG goals by In order to undertake coordinated implementation and oversight of the UNDAF, a UNDAF Steering Committee was established under the leadership of GoI and the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). In addition, PWG/Sub PWGs for the UNDAF Priority Areas were established to guide UNDAF implementation under the overall guidance of the UNDAF Steering Committee. 2.2 UNDG ITF Governance Arrangements The UNDG ITF operates within the UNCT coordination structure to ensure interagency, donor and government participation in ongoing decision making, monitoring and reporting of the UNDG ITF s activities. While the UNDG ITF is moving toward closure, it will continue to operate within the existing governance structure and arrangements until such time that all obligations have been satisfactorily concluded as outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Letter of Agreement (LOA) UNDG ITF Steering Committee The UNDG ITF Steering Committee coordinates and oversees the operations of the UNDG ITF and provides overall strategic guidance and oversight. It is chaired by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG), who is also the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). The Committee is composed of the heads of each Participating UN Organization and two rotating donor representatives. The current donor representatives are the European Commission (EC) and the Government of Canada. Based on the approved IRFFI/UNDG ITF fund closure timeline and benchmarks, the Steering Committee ensures that ongoing projects/programmes are implemented within the approved fund closure timeline, and reviews and approves project/programme timeline extensions accordingly. It also approves the release of tranches on previously approved programmes in line with the fund closure timeline Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

21 2.2.2 UNDG ITF Steering Committee Support Office (SCSO) The mandate of the Steering Committee Support office (SCSO), under the supervision of the DSRSG, is to support and facilitate the work of the Steering Committee, including assistance in proposal development, as well as review submissions prior to the Steering Committee s approval. The SCSO tracks the status of implementation, including management of project/programme revisions such as budgets and timeline extensions, as well as the release of tranches. It provides advice to the Participating UN Organizations and Steering Committee, and follows up on decisions taken by the various contributing structures to ensure timely follow up and adherence to agreed on UNDG ITF procedures Priority Working Groups (PWGs) The Sector Outcome Teams (SOTs) were replaced with UNDAF Priority Working Groups (PWGs) in 2011 to ensure monitoring and reporting of ongoing UNDG ITF projects and programmes in line with the UNDAF as the primary strategic framework for all UNCT programming. At the operational level, the UNDG ITF utilizes the UNDAF PWGs with representation from UNCT and national partners. The membership of the PWG includes all relevant UN system funds, programmes and Agencies in Iraq, including non resident Agencies and national counterpart representatives (the GoI and civil society), and will be endorsed by the UNDAF Steering Committee at the beginning of each year. Each PWG will be jointly chaired by the UN and the GoI. The UN chair is represented by the lead Agency and is responsible for providing the secretariat for the PWG. Each PWG will be co chaired by the lead UN Agency and the lead GoI Ministry. They will be composed of experts in the relevant priority area, including, as appropriate and feasible, experts from appropriate the GoI, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations, and they will have a flexible structure, to incorporate inputs from other stakeholders Administrative Agent/Multi Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) The role of the MPTF Office, as the AA for the UNDG ITF, includes the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Participating UN Organizations in accordance with decisions of the Steering Committee, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to the MoP and donors. The consolidated report produced by the MPTF Office presents the narrative and financial progress of the UNDG ITFfunded projects, aligned to the SOT structure. The MPTF Office GATEWAY, a public Web site that includes information on all MPTFs administered by the MPTF Office, ensures full transparency of the operations of the UNDG ITF Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

22 3 IRFFI Donor Committee Meetings 3.1 Eleventh Donor Meeting The Eleventh IRFFI Donor Committee meeting, hosted by the GoI, took place in Baghdad on 14 June The meeting was led by the chair of the IRFFI Donor Committee, the Royal Danish Embassy, with participation from GoI representatives including Mr. Thamir Al Ghadban, Chairman of the Prime Minister s Advisory Commission (PMAC) and Dr. Sami Metti, Deputy Minister of the MoP; UN representatives including Ms. Christine McNab, DSRSG/RC and Mr. Bisrat Aklilu, Executive Coordinator of the MPTF Office; and representatives from the World Bank and other donor partners. The Eleventh meeting agenda focused on the presentation of interim progress updates presented by the MPTF Office and the World Bank (WB). Both the MPTF Office and WB confirmed that implementation was nearing the final stages and that both institutions were on track with the closure benchmarks. The MPTF Office confirmed that as of 31 December 2010, the final UNDG ITF portfolio stood at 200 projects/programmes for a total of $1.43 billion. The GoI s MoP noted the GoI s intention to provide co financing for UN implemented activities and the possibility that the Iraq UNDAF Fund may be considered as a possible funding mechinism. Members were also informed that the LLE report would be disseminated by the end of June Twelfth Donor Meeting The Twelfth IRFFI Donor Committee meeting took place on the 18 January 2012 and was also hosted by the GoI. The meeting focused on interim progress updates presented by the MPTF Office and the World Bank. The MPTF Office updated members of the Donor Committee that 74.5 percent of the 200 projects/programmes were operationally closed with approximately 43 of the projects/programmes in various stages of financial closure. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was represented at the meeting and presented its findings of the UNDG ITF LLE. Details on the findings of the LLE are available in Section Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

23 4 Fund Closure Benchmarks and Procedures 4.1 Fund Closure Benchmarks The scheduled IRFFI and UNDG ITF closure benchmarks were adhered to within the reporting period. Table 4 1 below outlines the current status of the Fund closure benchmarks and timelines that were agreed upon. Table 4 1 Approved Timetable Benchmarks for Fund Closure Activity Timeline Status (as of 31 December 2011) Donor contributions 30 June 2009 No new contributions Project approval 30 June September (elections only) All funds programmed Agreement on the use/disposal of unspent funds/balance and modalities 30 June 2011 Agreement reached. All balances transferred to Iraq UNDAF Fund (except for Germany and EC) during first quarter 2011 Finalize agency contractual commitments 30 June 2012 Timeline extended Project implementation complete; satisfaction of commitments and liabilities 31 December 2013 On schedule 4.2 Fund Closure Procedures Use of Fund Balance During the Tenth IRFFI Donor Committee meeting, a decision was made on the use of interest that accrues on the balance of the UNDG ITF, both at the fund and agency levels, as well as on balances that may possibly remain on completion of approved projects. All donors except Germany, EC and the United Kingdom, whose internal rules and procedures do not permit the transfer of contributions for another purpose, agreed to allocate any remaining balances of the UNDG ITF funds as of the 30 June 2010, and subsequent returns of unspent and interest funds, to the new Iraq UNDAF Fund. The decision was taken in accordance with the provisions of section VIII paragraph 4 of the UNDG ITF LOA that states, Any balance remaining in the UNDG ITF Account or in the individual Participating UN Organizations separate ledger accounts established pursuant to the Terms of Reference shall be used for a purpose mutually agreed upon by the Participating Organizations, the AA, the donors and the Trust Fund Steering Committee. It was agreed that the funds were to be transferred to the recently established Iraq UNDAF Fund and the three donors based on the proportionate share of their contribution to the UNDG ITF as outlined in Table 9 5. Subsequent accrual of interest and returned funds will be regularly transferred following the same procedures. The first allocation from the UNDG ITF to the Iraq UNDAF Fund of $2.6 million was made in 2011 for prior years as of 31 December 2010 based on the total un allocated balances of $4.7 million. An additional $2.3 million was returned to the EC, Germany and the United Kingdom in 2011 as part of the first allocation process. The second allocation of $1.89 will be apportioned during the second quarter of Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

24 The transferred funds to the Iraq UNDAF Fund will be used to support priority UNDAF programming where gaps in available resources exist and, where relevant, to ensure the sustainability of programmes supported through the UNDG ITF, as approved by the Iraq UNDAF Fund Steering Committee. See Table 9 5 for details of the apportioned interest and unspent funds transferred to the UNDAF Fund Project/Programme Closure In planning for Fund level closure, the UNDG ITF Steering Committee amended its policy relating to project/programme timeline extensions to ensure end dates adhered to the closure benchmarks. As outlined in the Fund closure benchmarks, Participating Organizations are required to finalize contractual commitments as of 30 June 2012 to ensure an orderly closure and satisfaction of commitments and liabilities as of 31 December During the third and fourth quarters of 2012, a concerted effort will be made by the MPTF Office and the SCSO to engage with Participating UN Organizations individually to encourage project/programme operational closure of all scheduled projects/programmes by 31 December 2012 as well as the financial closure of all projects that have operationally closed on or before 31 December The closure schedule is based on the approved end dates of the operationally active project/programmes as of 31 December The UNDG ITF Steering Committee amended its programme revision policy in 2010 to limit timeline extensions to ensure that, with the exception of four joint programmes, no projects/programmes would remain operational beyond 31 December The policy facilitates the financial closure of all projects by 2014 with the exception of the Iraq Public Sector Modernization Programme (I PSM), which is scheduled for operational closure in Table 4 2 Schedule of Operational Closure, Cumulative, as of 31 December 2011 Year Closed as of 31 March TOTAL Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

25 5 Lessons Learned Exercise Building on seven years of experience managing the UNDG ITF (the first UN MPTF), an independent Lessons Learned Exercise (LLE) of the UNDG ITF was carried out from 2011 to 2012 that captured some interesting observations for Iraq and the UN system. The LLE, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), examined the development and operational effectiveness of the UNDG ITF and its results towards recovery, reconstruction and development efforts in Iraq since What Worked Well The ability of the UNDG ITF to operate continuously for seven years without significant interruption, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to the changing contextual environment and expectations of donors and GoI was highlighted as an overall significant achievement at the Fund level. As a result of this continuity, PwC noted that the UNDG ITF was able to disburse funds, entrusted by the donors in line with Iraq s needs and priorities, to Participating Organizations to implement projects and deliver significant results under extremely difficult security conditions. As the first MPTF to be administered by the UN, the UNDG ITF experience has demonstrated the conjuring abilities of the UN system to adapt to the fast evolving challenges of an unusual post conflict environment. The significant improvements and shifts in the operational parameters and the status of development parameters indicate the commitment and the abilities of the UN and its partners to effectively meet the terms set out in the IRFFI ToR for the benefit of the people of Iraq. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) The report highlighted several examples where the flexibility, inherent in the design of the mechanism, allowed it to remain a relevant and indispensable tool for coordination and resource mobilization. Over time, the governance structures were reformed to respond to the growing capacity and interest of the Government of Iraq (GoI) to take more ownership and leadership within the IRFFI and UNDG ITF structures, thereby enhancing stakeholder engagement in the spirit of national ownership, mutual accountability and improved management for results. The restructuring of the cluster system and sector outcome areas in response to evolving strategic priorities allowed the mechanism to channel funds strategically, report to donors and the GoI on how such allocations were used and communicate achievements across the priority areas. Access to adequate, multi year funding enabled across all sectors was one of the key success factors of the UNDG ITF that over time supported the establishment of modern governance processes, particularly in electoral support for a democratic system in Iraq, which was highlighted as a unique outcome within the region. This funding also proved to be a valuable tool in enabling a broader reach and scope within sectors and geographically. The PwC report highlighted achievements and the impact of individual projects particularly in the key sectors of health and education that resulted in Iraq being able to provide these two basic social services across the country. The projects also addressed historical disparities between the 18 Governorates of Iraq. Overall the projects were found to have contributed substantially towards recovery and rehabilitation across all sectors. The multi year funding further enabled UN Agencies to undertake a coordinated approach to planning, implementation and reporting through the Cluster and the Sector Outcome Team mechanisms that reduced 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

26 duplication and ensured programmatic synergies, while working jointly. The reports acknowledge that the achievement most noted by donors, the GoI and the UN is the high level of coordination among UN Agencies. 5.2 Opportunity for Improvements With the benefit of hindsight, the PwC report highlighted several missed opportunities. In line with the IRFFI Terms of Reference (TOR), a very high proportion of UNDG ITF projects had a short term, quick impact focus. While it was a priority at the time to provide for emergency interventions and it was also in line with the donor agenda to provide quick, demonstrable support to the people of Iraq, planning the transition from short term needs to the longer term development was seen as a missed opportunity. There were many factors that contributed to the focus on short term results, but the report pointed out that such limitations may be overcome by optimizing government involvement in the process beginning at the start up of the Fund particularly in a post conflict context. Also, the report suggests that more rigorous criteria for counterpart engagement should be required within the design of all programmes to avoid variances among Agencies, sectors and the projects being implemented. The lack of attention to long term development during the start up of the Fund later became an implementation obstacle in many of the post 2008 programmes when priorities had shifted from recovery to a national capacity development focus. For example, weaknesses in institutional capacity and government processes, or weak/nonexistent codes and regulations were often cited as challenges that delayed programme implementation by 18 to 24 months. The report concluded that a country that is rebuilding from scratch warrants paying as much attention to long term development, including the development and strengthening of institutional, governance and human assets, as to shorter term needs such as rehabilitation of basic services and infrastructure. Realistic management of donor expectations was cited as another area for attention. The report found that most donors (more than 25 donors contributed to the UNDG ITF) insisted on earmarking their contributions for specific areas and/or Agencies in line with their own aid agendas. By doing so, the donors believe they are better able to track the use of their contributions and have some level of demonstrable visibility. To overcome some of the factors that contribute to excessive earmarking and issues of visibility, the PwC report advocates for an improved accountability mechanism with greater attention during the early stages of setting up MPTFs to ensure that rigorous, consistent, independent, high quality monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes are put in place. While the reports and documents produced by the MPTF Office provided real value to the UNDG ITF stakeholders and partners by providing comprehensive information and public reporting through the GATEWAY Web site, donors demands often exceeded the legal arrangements of the MPTF mechanism. The PwC report argues that a more credible accountability mechanism would generate increased levels of donor trust as well as provide timely, reliable and evidence based information to all stakeholders for improved decision making and policy setting. The report purports that an operating environment could both improve accountability for donors and increase their levels of trust and confidence, which could potentially result in less earmarking and greater flexibility. The complete report of the PwC findings and lessons learned are available on the MPTF Office GATEWAY at: Lessons Learned in Implementing Joint Programmes In the context of internal and external interest in strengthening the Delivering as One (DaO) approach to programming, the PwC report examined how effectively the Iraq UNCT and Participating Organizations 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

27 programmed jointly. Table 5 1 highlights some of the benefits and challenges most commonly identified with regard to joint programmes. The UNCT is guided by the UNDG Joint Programme Guidelines (2003) when designing and implementing joint programmes. While there are clear benefits to government partners, challenges of coordination and accountability continue to arise within the UNCT and suggest that the UNDG Guidelines may benefit from updating to address some of the systemic challenges of DaO through joint programmes. Table 5 1 Lessons Learned in Joint Programmes Benefits Availability of greater technical expertise within the programme Coordinated approach to cross cutting issues Greater coverage of wider geographic areas Healthy competition among participating Agencies and hence improved management for results Lower cost of operations due to sharing project managers among Agencies and jointly assessing needs and/or evaluations Challenges Difficulty coordinating activities between or among the involved Agencies and confusion regarding the protocols for communication, reporting and decision making Lack of clarify on the overall accountability for results The absence of a lead agency with overall programmatic oversight resulted in each agency focusing only on delivering its own set of programme components Increased costs as more efforts, time and logistical resources were spent on coordination and communications among the Agencies Slow reaction and/or response to issues and problems due to the sharing of responsibilities 5.3 How the UN in Iraq Institutionalized Lessons Learned The LLE largely validates the instrumental role of the UNDG ITF in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN development operations in Iraq. Therefore, the Iraq UNCT, under the leadership of the RC, and in collaboration with the UNDG ITF SCSO, undertook efforts to transfer and institutionalize the learning from the UNDG ITF into the establishment of the successor fund, the Iraq UNDAF Fund. The aim was to strengthen alignment and harmonization, national ownership, accountability and transparency, and management for results, based on the lessons learned Alignment Unlike the UNDG ITF, where approximately 99 percent of donor contributions where earmarked, the Iraq UNDAF Fund limited earmarking to the five UNDAF Priority Areas, thus generating a harmonized resource pool to address effectively national development priorities based on strategic priorities and funding gaps. Joint programmes approved within the UNDAF Fund must demonstrate programmatic alignment and operational harmonization with national development priorities; comparative advantages; and avoidance of duplication. They must also encourage harmonized management coordination arrangements and reporting procedures. Finally, the Iraq UNDAF Fund governance structure uses the UNDAF governance structure, thus ensuring greater operational harmonization and reduced transaction costs Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

28 5.3.2 National Ownership To ensure stronger GoI engagement and leadership, the GoI currently co chairs both the UNDAF and Iraq UNDAF Fund Steering Committees as well as the UNDAF PWGs and Sub PWGs. Criteria has been developed that ensures projects/programmes align with the NDP and that national partners are engaged throughout the project/program s PWG and UNDAF Fund Steering Committee planning and approval processeses. The issue of GoI co financing has been under discussion for several years; it was considered as a possible criterion for approval of new Iraq UNDAF Fund programming and efforts have been undertaken by the GoI and the UN to move this important initiative forward. In 2011, the GoI and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) entered into discussions with the UNCT about introducing co financing measures in support of UN projects/programmes in Such initiatives demonstrated the continued strengthening of the GoI UN partnership and growing national ownership Accountability The Iraq UNDAF Fund Steering Committee has made efforts to establish inclusive, transparent and more accountable governance structures. The members of the Steering Committee have continued to ensure adequate financing and support for a strengthened SCSO as the primary interface between the MPTF Office, Participating Organizations and the Iraq UNDAF Fund Steering Committee. The SCSO remains well equipped to provide normative, operational and quality assurance support to the Steering Committee and UN Participating Organizations, including the provision of: Planning and project design Programme/project closures Facilitation of programmatic revisions including scope, budget and time extension Reporting to the MPTF Office Knowledge management Management for Results Results based management (RBM) guides the UNDAF and remains central to the development and operational effectiveness of the Iraq UNDAF Fund. Through the UNDAF, there is renewed emphasis on evidence and resultsbased planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. In addition, to further enhance programmatic synergies and maximize development results, joint programmes are a priority in all programming Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

29 6 Programme/Project Implementation Status 6.1 Fund Transfers As outlined in the Fund closure benchmarks, final programme/project approvals were to be concluded as of 30 June 2010 with the exception of remaining contributions available to support electoral programming, which was extended until 30 September Within this period, several joint programmes were approved to be disbursed in tranches ensuring overall implementation progress in advance of releasing subsequent funding tranches. Table 6 1 summaries the fund transfers made in 2011 as tranches for previously approved programmes. Table 6 1 Tranche Transfers by Approved Programme, as of 31 December 2011 C10 11 Private Sector Development Programme for Iraq (PSDP I) Participating Organization 2011 Funded (US$) Prior Year Funded (US$) Total Funded (US$) UNDP 2,968,036 6,781,964 9,750,000 ILO 785,992 2,216,974 3,002,966 UNOPS 2,322,867 3,574,167 5,897,034 UNIDO 2,343,988 5,356,012 7,700,000 FAO 674,521 2,625,479 3,300,000 UN HABITAT 499,406 1,500,594 2,000,000 UN Women 365, ,704 1,220,000 TOTAL 9,960,106 22,909,894 32,870, Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

30 6.2 Implementation Status The following section provides a summary of the status of the UNDG ITF portfolio. As indicated in the tables below, there continues to be steady and consistent progress with project/programme closure as a result of the overall commitment of all stakeholders to ensure the timely and orderly closure of the UNDG ITF. Table 6 2 summarizes the status of projects and joint programmes implementation by sector. Table 6 2 Overall Status of Project Implementation by Sector, as of 31 December 2011 Sector Number of Projects Active Operationally Closed Financially Closed * Education Water and Sanitation Health and Nutrition Housing and Shelter Food, Security and Agriculture Protection Governance Economic Reform and Diversification TOTAL * The process of financial closure includes the completion and approval of the final certified financial report (Schedule A) and the return of any unused balances and interest. Table 6 3 Overall Status of Project Implementation by Priority Working Group, as of 31 December 2011 Priority Working Group Number of Projects Active Operationally Closed Financially Closed Governance and Human Rights Inclusive Economic Growth Environment Essential Social Services WATSAN Education Health and Nutrition Housing Food Security Human Capital TOTAL Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

31 6.3 Operational and Financial Closure Status As of 31 March 2010, a total of 93 projects and joint programmes were reported as operationally closed and 43 were at various stages of financial closure. As of 31 December 2011, the number of operationally closed projects and joint programmes shifted to 90, and 61 were in the final stages of financial closure, bringing the total number of projects and programmes at various stages of closure to 151 (out of 200) or 75 percent of the portfolio. This is an increase of 15 projects and programmes that transitioned into stages of closure during the reporting period. Figure 6 1 and Figure 6 2 illustrate the overall standing of the UNDG ITF portfolio s active and operationally and financially closed projects. The current portfolio has 25 percent of its projects operational, as of 31 December Figure 6 1 Annual Increase in Project/Programme Closures, Of the 61 projects/programmes highlighted as financially closed as of 31 December 2011, some 16 of the projects were at various stages of financial closure, including having returned unused balances and/or earned interest to the UNDG ITF account, and should be fully financially closed within the 2012 reporting period. Figure 6 2 Fund Closure Status as a Percentage of Portfolio, as of 31 March Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

32 Confirmation of closure is communicated by the Participating Organization to the MPTF Office and UNDG ITF Steering Committee. A project that is implemented by one Participating Organization is counted as operationally closed when the specific Agency implementing the project informs the MPTF Office and UNDG ITF Steering Committee that all activities have been completed. For the purposes of this report, however, only when all Agencies participating in a joint programme have completed their activities and informed the MPTF Office, is the joint programme counted as operationally closed. Following operational closure, Participating Organizations must submit a final narrative project report to the MPTF Office based on the agency s own internal rules and regulations for closure. The final narrative reports are available on the MPTF Office GATEWAY Web site ( As of 31 December 2011, of the 151 closed projects, a total of 157 End of Project reports (final reports) have been submitted by Participating Organizations, which demonstrates the Participating Organizations timely response to project closure. When Participating Organizations participate in joint programmes Agencies often submit reports for their individual activities in advance of the submission of the final Joint Programme report. Therefore, the number of End of Project Reports may be higher than the total number of projects and programmes. All stakeholders interested in reviewing the results of specific projects or joint programmes may access more detailed information in the End of Project reports published on the MPTF Office GATEWAY. After a Participating Organization announces that a project has operationally closed, it begins the process of financial closure. In general, an Agency closes a project financially within one year from the date of operational closure. The procedures for project and fund closure are outlined in the UNDG Guidance Note on Establishing, Managing and Closing Multi Partner Trust Funds. ( Procedures are further outlined in the MPTF Office factsheet on Project and Programme Closure. Stakeholders interested in learning more about the procedures should follow the links provided above for more information. Participating Organizations are encouraged to submit their final narrative and/or certified financial reports, including the return of unused balances and accrued interest, to the AA any time during the calendar year. This active adherence to closure enables the timely reprogramming of returned, unused and interest funds. Table 6 4 below provides a projection of project closures expected in the coming years. The projection includes the total UNDG ITF portfolio of 200 projects and programmes. While the projects are based on project end dates approved by the UNDG ITF Steering Committee, there may be subsequent timeline extensions approved by the Steering Committee that will alter the annual anticipated closure dates outlined below. The UNDG ITF Steering Committee established policy in 2010, however, that does not permit timeline extensions beyond 31 December This will ensure the financial closure of all projects by 2014 with the exception of the I PSM, which is scheduled for operational closure in As outlined in Table 6 4, as of 31 December 2011, 153 projects and programmes were scheduled for closure, but only 151 were confirmed as operationally closed resulting from the extension of some projects Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

33 Table 6 4 Schedule of Operational Closure, Cumulative, as of 31 December 2011 Year Closed as of 31 March TOTAL Refund of Unused Funds As of 31 December 2011, Participating Organizations have refunded approximately $18.03 million in unused funds. This is an increase from $17.71 million as of 31 December The increase in timely refunds further demonstrates the commitment by Participating Organizations and the Steering Committee to progress toward Fund closure in an orderly and timely manner. Of the $18.03 million, $16.13 was reprogrammed to support new projects and joint programmes or additional activities within ongoing projects. The remaining balance of returned unused balances from the Participating Organizations, as well as the Agency/Fund earned interest, was transferred to the Iraq UNDAF Fund see Table 9 5 for details Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

34 7 Overall Fund Achievements and Challenges The UNDG ITF projects and joint programmes were approved in line with the UN Assistance Strategy for Iraq ( ), which established sector outcomes to be achieved through joint initiatives within the UNCT. With the transition from the UN Assistance Strategy ( ) to the UNDAF to guide the UN programming in Iraq, it was agreed by the UNCT to shift from the eight Sector Outcome Teams established under the UN Assistance Strategy to five Priority Working Groups (PWGs). The Steering Committee Support Office (SCSO), in consultation with the Participating UN Organizations, led the mapping exercise of the UNDG ITF programmes and projects from the eight sectors (Governance, Economic Reform and Diversification, Education, Health and Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture and Food Security, Housing and Shelter) to the Priority Areas/Sub Priority Areas (Governance and Human Rights, Inclusive Economic Growth, Environment, Essential Social Services (Water and Sanitation (WATSAN), Education, Health and Nutrition, Housing, Food Security) and Human Capital. The transition was necessary to ensure that programme implementation remained relevant without duplicating structures and/or increasing transaction costs. It is also worth noting that the UNDAF planning took into consideration the UNDG ITF programmes that will continue to be operational during the UNDAF period, to ensure programmatic continuity. The UNDG ITF programmes were mapped to the relevant Priority Areas/Sub Priority Areas where they would contribute programmatically to the achievements of the outcomes. The Figure 7 1 below provides a general overview of how the programmes/projects were mapped. Figure 7 1 Mapping of Projects/Programmes from Sectors to UNDAF Priority Areas Sector Outcome Areas Governance and Protection Economic Reform and Diversification Mine Action sub sector under Protection, and Environment sub sector under Economic Reform and Diversification Education, Health and Nutrition, Water and Sanitation (WATSAN), Housing and Food Security Protection, mainly gender based violence, and part of the Education UNDAF Priority Areas Priority Area 1: Governance and Human Rights Priority Area 2: Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area 3: Environment Priority Area 4: Essential Social Services Priority Area 5: Human Capital 7.1 Overall Challenges The main implementation challenges continue to be related to the security situation and the limited number of slots available for international staff during the reporting period. This caused planning difficulties and hindered adequate monitoring and supervision of activities through most of the country. A political vacuum and uncertainty also had a negative impact in official government decision making mechanisms Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

35 7.2 Summary of UNDAF Priority Areas Achievements and Challenges Governance and Human Rights: 55 UNDG ITF projects 16 active and 39 closed. In this reporting period actions have continued to lay the groundwork for a critical human rights infrastructure and culture. Significant focus was given to assessing and improving Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) complaints and electoral dispute resolution processes, and to enhancing IHEC s understanding of international best practices in managing different technical electoral processes such voter registration. In support of public sector modernization, a conference on Decentralization and Local Governance brought stakeholders together in one venue for the first time ever to discuss issues of decentralization and the role of local government in service delivery. The Iraq Ministry of Human Rights drafted a national action plan on human rights and presented this for discussion at a national conference with civil society stakeholders. This led to the establishment of an Iraqi federation of human rights defenders. Challenges for this reporting period include (i) a political vacuum and uncertainty negatively impacted government decision making mechanisms, and (ii) persistent difficulties bringing about gender balance in governance and human rights activities. For the selection of Human Rights Commissioners, for instance, there are only 37 women among the 164 shortlisted candidates from 3,085 applicants. Inclusive Economic Growth: 35 UNDG ITF projects 10 active and 29 closed. A variety of activities occurred during this reporting period to build the policy and regulatory environment for inclusive growth. A Cabinet endorsed Task Force for Economic Reforms and seven Working Groups were established with state and private sector membership. Their activities range from development of a Draft Law for Economic Reforms to approval of the Roadmap for Restructuring of State Owned Enterprises by the Iraqi Cabinet. Under the Emergency Rehabilitation of the Mussayib Power Station Stage II project, staff technical capabilities were upgraded to not only operate and maintain the unit but also to assess the requirements for rehabilitation of other units and to undertake repair and maintenance works with minimum international supervision. Three trainings on Social Safety Net impact analysis and design were conducted in Amman, Erbil, and Baghdad for 19 staff from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA). These activities took place in a challenging programming environment where the size of Iraq s oil revenues inhibits efforts to diversify its economy, limiting the ability of the Iraqi economy to create sustainable jobs and reduce poverty. Environment: 15 projects 1 active and 14 closed. In this reporting period the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) established pilot projects for Water Users Associations in 15 of 18 governorates (3 in the KRG) and two irrigation projects Al Ishaky and Mesopotamia. Ten engineers in each Governorate were trained to carry on this task. A law for the establishment of a National Water Council was drafted. A preliminary organizational assessment for the Ministry of Environment was finalized. Working Groups have been established on climate change mitigation, adaptation and vulnerability. Sanitary inspection has been completed for about 1,600 drinking water resources at Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar and Anbar Governorates. Rehabilitation of 110 shallow wells in the KRG region (Dahuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniya) has been completed. A national committee for drought mitigation has been formed. The first programme under the Environment Priority Area, Development of National Framework for Integrated Drought Risk Management (DRM) in Iraq, was approved and is funded by the Iraq UNDAF Fund. Challenges cited include that the weak institutional capacity of the Ministry of Environment (MoEn) and its unclear mandate within the GoI makes it difficult to coordinate the works of other stakeholders. The lack of funding hindered the implementation of most of the planned programmes/projects for The regional dimensions of some of the environmental issues in Iraq (e.g. sandstorms, marshlands) exceeds the mandate of the Iraq United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

36 Essential Social Services: 90 projects 18 active and 72 closed. Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) During this reporting period, four coordination meetings were called, leading to improved communication and to the development of a monitoring framework. A singular constraint to planning, however, is the absence of necessary national policies. At present, there is no Integrated Water Resources Management strategy and budget reductions are interfering with infrastructure development and maintenance. Water security efforts include completion of the sanitary inspection for Sarchinar water facility where the chlorination system s storage, operation and maintenance have been improved. The rehabilitation/extension of the Bakhtiary quarter water network benefits 40,000 people and rehabilitation/extension of the Sarchinar quarter water network benefits 20,000 people. For solid waste management, the supply of municipal garbage collection and disposal facilities, including trucks, semi trailers and a compactor, has improved sanitary conditions in Thi Qar, Anbar, Sulaimaniya, Erbil and Basra. Municipal level capacities to manage solid waste have improved in 18 Governorates upon development of solid waste management master plans for Basra, Sulaimaniya, Anbar, Thi Qar and Erbil. Training and capacity building activities have been conducted on waste management, including information systems benefitting 40 staff from the Basra Governorate. Procurement of garbage collectors was carried out for Anbar, Thi Qar and Sulaimaniya Governorates. Around 15,000 people benefitted from hygiene promotion campaigns. UNICEF, with five partners, launched the WASH in Schools programme in 194 schools in 15 Iraqi Governorates. Education In this reporting period, both the final draft of the National Education Strategy and an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Strategy in Education were developed. Capacity building trainings were provided that targeted 1,500 Ministry of Education (MoEd) trainees. Twenty five new schools were built, replacing old mud schools, for about 7,500 primary and intermediate level students and 2,250 out of school children in Sulaimaniya, Salah Eddin and Thi Qar. The MoEd developed new literacy curricula including new textbooks and three teacher s literacy guidebooks for the Arabic Language, Mathematics and General Culture. Within the framework of the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE) for Iraq, national advocacy campaigns targeted more than 30,000 Iraqis. More than 700 hours of external TV programs have been developed for the TV library to be broadcasted and used in the production of new educational TV programs. Joint programmes have faced challenges concerning coordination between participating agencies. Frequent delays were experienced in the delivery of equipment due to the delay in receiving tax exemption letters from MoEd, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), resulting in extra costs for demurrage fees. Health and Nutrition In this reporting period, WHO supported the process of strengthening the health system s primary health care model, based on a family practice approach and availability of a basic health services package at each level of the health system. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) collected data about the percentage of pregnant women with anemia for the Iraqi Women Integrated Social and Health Survey project. The World Health Organization (WHO) assessed the Basra Children s Hospital to identify needs and gaps for health services staffing and training for the hospital s eventual Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Eleven Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) were completed and handed over to Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Directorate of Health (DoH). A national workshop was held for the development of the National HIV/AIDS Control Strategic Plan. To support the GoI in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, the Micronutrient Assessment and Response (MNAR) survey was conducted in all Governorates. Four rounds of polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) were held, targeting 5.4 million children under the age of five years across the country, with more than 90 percent national 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

37 coverage rate achieved. UNICEF supported the fourth Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS4) which will produce a wide range of scientifically built and tested indicators to provide a realistic and detailed picture of the situation of women and children in Iraq. Measles NIDs for children ages 6 to 36 months old were held with more than 92 percent national coverage rate achieved. Despite improvements, the security situation remains one of the main challenges in achieving the planned implementation. The political sphere is also considered another main challenge, especially because most data collection activities were delayed or postponed as a result of the political tensions or impacts. Housing Political tensions throughout 2011 created a difficult environment for housing sector reforms, particularly as such reforms involve consensus among a range of ministries that are linked to the housing sector (the Ministry of Construction and Housing (MoCH), Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW), Ministry of Planning (MoP), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM)). In spite of this, there was progress on a number of fronts. The Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) prepared a comprehensive plan for dealing with shelter needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs). To meet the critical housing shortages of the most vulnerable and to build the private housing sector, the new minister for Construction and Housing (MoCH) requested 2 billion dollars from the GoI to develop economic housing and 1 billion dollars to expand the National Housing Fund. Government counterparts have reviewed drafts of the KRG Housing Strategy, the MoCH Housing Policy Implementation Plan, the Evaluation of National Housing Policy and Strategies, and the Housing Sector Institutional Needs Assessment. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT) completed neighborhood master plans for two informal settlements in Erbil through community consultative processes. The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) completed 3840 shelters (1223 in the north, 1920 in the center, and 697 in the south) and 652 shelters are under construction (205 in the center and 447 in the south). International Relief & Development (IRD) has rehabilitated 764 houses for IDPs and returnees in Baghdad, Babil, and Anbar, benefiting 7,985 individuals. The main constraint facing the achievement of most of the housing outputs is incomplete mobilization of funding for technical assistance. The slow process of land allocation is also impeding delivery of new housing for IDPs. Food Security The drafting of an agricultural policy continues to move forward along with the development of a costed agricultural sector investment strategy. An international workshop was conducted for 15 participants on foot and mouth disease (FMD), rabies and veterinary legislations. Two workshops on FMD and brucellosis involved 240 participants. To improve the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) facilities, equipment deliveries included vacuum pumps and sonar for dairy activities. Incubators for embryo transfer technology will be delivered in April Three milk collection centers were rehabilitated and the installation of the milk collection equipment for Al Sewera, Al Wehad and Al Taji centers was completed. For seed supply improvements, a total of 22 greenhouses have been installed to develop new seed varieties. Three units of seed processing plants are in the delivery stage to improve the quality of seeds. The seed law is within parliamentary debate and once approved it will enhance the regulatory framework in the seed sector. Under the cash for work programme, a total of 60 percent of the targeted IDPs and returnees have used cash to buy food, thus improving their household food security. Continuous political wrangling in the Governorates influenced program implementation in a number of ways, such as through cumbersome procedures for approving training course subjects, selection of course participants, training venues, timing of training provision, etc. The lack of targeting of food rations to the poorest segments of Iraq s population is a major source of inefficiency in the Public Distribution System. The lack of funding for non ITF projects hindered the start up of most planned programmes/projects for Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

38 Human Capital: 5 projects 4 active and 1 closed. In this reporting period, a national bi lingual Vocational Training Center (VTC) Network was operationalized, linking all Iraqi VTCs. Through the Strengthening Protection and Justice for Children and Young People in Iraq project, 94 teachers were trained to deliver life skills education to children while in youth centres. 1,171 youth were trained on life skills. 85 children (82 cases in 2011) were provided with legal aid by UNICEF s partner organization in Baghdad, Basra and Ninewa. The University of Baghdad and the College of Law established a Restorative Justice Research and Training Unit to help children in conflict with the law. Institutional, technical and operational capacities were strengthened for two ministries focusing on women s affairs, the State Ministry of Women s Affairs (SMoWA) and the Kurdistan High Commission of Women (KHCW), including finalizing a National Strategy to Eliminate Violence against Women. Seven ministries integrated the Strategy into their annual work plans. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), in close coordination with the SMoWA was able to finalize a first draft of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women. The sector reports implementation delays caused by the continuous change in decision makers in the Government of Iraq (GoI). Vulnerability and exposure to violence has increased among internally displaced women Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

39 8 Priority Working Group Reports The following PWG Reports are prepared by the members of each individual PWG. The reports provide a comprehensive picture of progress achieved during the reporting period and the current status of each sector, including net funding, expenditure, project status and challenges. 8.1 Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 1 Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 1.1 Outcome 1.2 Outcome 1.3 Outcome 1.4 The Iraqi state has a more inclusive and participatory political process reflecting improved national dialogue. The Iraqi state has more efficient, accountable and participatory governance at national and subnational levels. Iraq has an improved legal and operational Rule of Law framework for administration and access to justice. Governmental and nongovernmental institutions protect and promote the human rights of all people in Iraq, with a focus on the most vulnerable Operating Context during the Reporting Period The reporting period witnessed the start of the Iraq United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) implementation on 1 January The UNDAF is harmonized with the national planning cycle and is fully aligned with national priorities stipulated in the Five Years National Development Plan (NDP) The UNDAF formulation and implementation processes have been consultative and participatory with engagement of the Government of Iraq (GoI) and other national counterparts. With the Arab spring and the unrest in the region, civil protests and demonstrations have taken place in Iraq since March 2011, highlighting the frustration felt by the public at poor services delivery, lack of economic opportunities and an overall concern for governance, human rights and the protection of civilians. The international community has used these events to encourage the Government to increase its engagement with civil society, as well as to improve its transparency and accountability and push ahead with social reforms. The Government s response came in the form of the 100 days Agenda that showed some commitment towards addressing the issues raised. A main highlight of the reporting period is the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq in December 2011 which was immediately followed by sectarian and political tensions. On 19 December, the Higher Judicial Council issued an arrest warrant against Vice President Tariq Al Hashimi of Iraqiyya on charges related to terrorist activities. Vice President Al Hashimi, having sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region, has created further political tensions Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period The main constraints and challenges to implementation continue to be related to the security situation and the limited number of slots available for international staff during the reporting period (the number was increased in November 2011). Security issues made it difficult to conduct planning meetings and to access to most of the areas in the country, which in turn made it difficult to conduct adequate monitoring and supervision of activities Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

40 Furthermore, the political vacuum and uncertainty during the reporting period also had a negative impact on official government decision making mechanisms. The abolishment of some state ministries such as the State Ministry of Marshlands and the State Ministry of Civil Society Affairs also contributed to the delay in implementation. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in particular, faced difficulties in making the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) meet to reach a joint objective, resulting in delays in the project implementation. Activities implemented under the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area aimed to include as many qualified women as possible in its activities. Achieving gender balance remains a challenge within the Iraqi context, however, because of the male dominated culture. Beneficiary organizations and institutions put forth more male than female representatives as their first choice participants. The lack of available national expertise also results in the slow implementation of activities and lack of desired results. Moreover, the implementation of the new Nongovernmental organization (NGO) law was challenging and caused serious delays in the official registration/reregistration of NGOs. As public authorities would not work with NGOs that did not have valid registration certificates, projects involving NGOs and in particular those involving both NGOs and public authorities suffered greatly from hampered implementation Coverage/Counterparts Most of projects implemented under the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area are national in scope and cover all Governorates of Iraq. The primary recipients of support and their counterparts include the: Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Communications and Media Commission (CMC), Higher Judicial Council (HJC), Juvenile Justice Coordination Committee, Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR), Ministry of Interior (MoI), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), State Ministry of Women s Affairs (SMoWA), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), Central Statistical Organization (CSO), Kurdistan Regional Statistics Office (KRSO), Council of Representatives (CoR), Civil Society Committee, NGOs, the National Centre for Consultancy and Management Development (NCCMD), State Ministry of Civil Society Affairs (dissolved in June 2011), Justice and Accountability Commission, Governors Offices and Provincial Councils, Kurdistan Parliament of Iraq Civil Society Committee, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Presidency Council of the Kurdistan Region and NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI). In addition, government officials and members of judiciary institutions, including judges and lawyers, were supported to strengthen the Government s role as guarantor of the rule of law Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

41 Figure 8 1 Governance and Human Rights Priority Area Map 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

42 8.1.5 Results Figure 8 2 Governance and Human Rights Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

43 Table 8 2 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Governance and Human Rights Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome B1 07 Protecting Iraqi Cultural Heritage Nationwide 100% 1.2 B1 20 Basra Leadership Human Rights Awareness Basra 100% 1.4 C9 02 Support to Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation (MoPDC) Nationwide 100% 1.2 C9 03 Civil Society Forums Nationwide 100% 1.4 C9 04 Women Solidarity toward Active Participation in Elections C9 05 Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening of the Municipal Ministry of Public Works C9 10 Institutional Support for the Constitutional Drafting Process C9 12 Support to Government of Iraq in International Assistance Coordination and Capacity Building Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.2 Nationwide 100% 1.2 Nationwide 100% 1.4 C9 18 Supreme Audit Board Nationwide 100% 1.2 C9 19 Human Rights Project for Iraq (Phase 1) Nationwide 100% 1.4 C9 20 Facilitating Reconciliation in Iraq through Constitutional Review and National Dialogue C9 21 Strengthening of the Constitutional Process and Good Governance C9 22 Support to the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) Secretariat Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.2 C9 23 Capacity Development in Census and Surveys Nationwide 80% 1.2 C9 24 Support to Decentralization and Local Governance for Service Delivery (Preparatory Phase) Nationwide 80% 1.2 C9 25 Iraqi Civil Society Empowerment Project Nationwide 95% 1.4 C9 26 Support the Media in its Role of Fostering Peace and Democracy C9 27 Support to the Development of Justice and the Rule of Law C9 28 Support to the GoI in Implementing the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness Nationwide 87% 1.1 Nationwide 95% 1.3 Nationwide 90% 1.2 C9 29 Iraq Public Sector Modernisation (I PSM) Programme Nationwide 85 % 1.2 C9 30 Assisting the GoI in Development of a National Tourism Strategy C9 31 Capacity Strengthening of the MoPDC to Support the Process of a National Development Plan for Iraq Nationwide 47% 1.2 Nationwide 10% Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

44 Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome C9 32 Conducting Lessons Learned and Project Evaluations for IRFFI C9 33 Capacity Development to Establish a Socioeconomic Monitoring System in Iraq C9 34 High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq: Capacity Building and Technical Support Nationwide 100% 1.2 Nationwide 30% 1.2 Nationwide 80% 1.2 G11 02 Support to Electoral Process (Phase II) Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 03 Support to Elections (Phase III) Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 04 Technical Assistance to IHEC (formerly IECI) Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 06 Provision of Electoral Support to Observer Groups in Iraqi Elections G11 07 Support for Fair, Safe and Professional Media Coverage Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 08 Logistics Support to IHEC (Phase I) Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 09 Logistics Support to IHEC (Phase 2) Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 10 Provision of Electoral Support to Observer Groups (Phase 2) G11 13 Empowerment of Women and Youth in the Iraqi Electoral Process G11 14 Institutional Development Organizational and Human Resources (HR) Capacity Building for IHEC Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 15 Electoral Education Campaign Project Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 16 Support to Electoral Observer Groups in Iraq (Phase III) G11 17 Provision of Communication Support and Technical Assistance to the IHEC at the HQ and Governorate Electoral Office Levels G11 18 Support to National Electoral Observer Groups for Provincial Council Elections in Iraq G11 19 Institutional Development Organizational and Human Resources (HR) Capacity Building for IHEC (Phase II) Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 100% 1.1 G11 20 Technical Assistance to IHEC (Phase ll) Nationwide 88% 1.1 G11 21 Support to National Electoral Observer Groups for the Electoral Events of Iraq G11 22 Support for Enhanced Media Coverage and Monitoring of Electoral Processes G11 23 Institutional Development Support to the Independent High Electoral Commission Nationwide 100% 1.1 Nationwide 42% 1.1 Nationwide 33% Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

45 Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome F8 01 Return and Re integration of IDPs Sulaimaniya, Dahuk, Erbil 100% 1.4 F8 02 Return and Re integration of Iraqis and Others of Concern in Southern Iraq F8 03 Return and Re integration of Iraqis and Others of Concern in Northern Iraq Basra, Missan, Wassit 100% 1.4 Sulaimaniya, Dahuk, Erbil 100% 1.4 F8 04 Support to Iraq s National, Regional and Local Authorities and Civil Society Organizations in Developing a Draft National Policy and Addressing Displacement Needs and Gaps F8 05 Protection and Assistance to Persons of Concern in Southern Iraq and Support to Local Authorities and Civil Society Organizations in Addressing Displacement Needs and Gaps Baghdad, Dahuk, Diyala, Erbil, Kirkuk, Sulaimaniya Missan, Basra, Muthanna, Qadissiya, Thi Qar, Wassit 100% % 1.4 F8 07 Support to the Expanded Humanitarian Response Fund Nationwide 80% 1.4 F8 08 Support to Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) in Techniques for Mass Grave Excavation and Identification of Missing Persons F8 09 Support to Iraq s Preparations for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) F8 12 Capacitating and Strengthening Protection Networks with the Government of Iraq F8 13 Protection of Media Professionals, Human Rights Defenders and Members of the Academic Community in Iraq Baghdad, Babil, Basra, Kerbela, Sulaimaniya Baghdad, Anbar, Babil, Basra, Diyala, Erbil, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Ninewa, Salah Eddin, Wassit Baghdad, Anbar, Babil, Basra, Diyala, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Ninewa, Qadissiya, Salah Eddin, Thi Qar, Wassit Nationwide with focus on Erbil, Baghdad, and Basra 100% % % % 1.2 ERP 01 Pilgrim Stamped Emergency Micro Grant Response Baghdad 100% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 1.1: The Iraqi state has a more inclusive and participatory political process reflecting improved national dialogue. During 2011, the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area, through UNESCO and UNDP, supported media in fostering its role in promoting peace and democracy. A revision of the journalism curricula taught by Iraqi media and mass communication faculties in universities in Baghdad and KRG was undertaken and a Media Grant Program was established to promote dialogue about issues of local or national concern. The program provided small grants to pave the way for further similar initiatives within the Iraqi media community. A special grant was given to the Iraqi news Web site Aswat Al Iraq to support its institutional capacity to identify and target potential donors and 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

46 partners and to improve its capacity to design programs and write proposals. The local NGO Bustan Association has implemented a grant project in Diyala, Sulaimaniya and Ninewa. Ongoing support was provided by the UNDP to the IHEC for longer term institution building that would enable the IHEC to carry out its constitutional mandate to conduct elections independently, efficiently, transparently, accountably and in line with professional standards. This includes strengthening the institutional framework and organizational capacity of the IHEC, enhancing its human resource capabilities and improving the technological capacity of the IHEC in a manner which is sustainable in the Iraqi context. Targeted inputs were provided in a number of areas to meet gaps identified through joint IHEC and UN needs assessment and election lessons learned reviews. Significant focus was given to assessing and improving IHEC complaints and electoral dispute resolution processes, to enhancing IHEC s understanding of international best practices in managing different technical electoral processes, such as electoral procedures and voter registration, and to improving knowledge and skills in public outreach, electoral and public procurement, software development, graphic design and capacity building. Furthermore, technical assistance was provided to the IHEC through international electoral experts and advisors working alongside the IHEC on a daily basis in its offices in Baghdad and Erbil. While no electoral events took place in 2011, the IHEC continued to put in place operational plans for electoral processes for forthcoming elections, in order to ensure preparedness to the fullest extent possible. Additionally, the IHEC used the period to review existing processes in a number of areas in order to identify and incorporate improvements or refinements for future election operations, and to undertake quality control exercises. Throughout 2011, the UNDP, in partnership with the UNAMI, ensured the required international election experts were in place to provide the necessary support and assistance to the IHEC throughout these activities. International advisors provided technical advice during the development of operational plans and the review and improvement of operational processes in the fields of procurement and logistics, complaints and the electoral legal framework, field security, electoral cascade training and capacity building. Led by UNESCO and in cooperation with the UNDP, the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area continued to improve the capacity of the IHEC in developing its media strategies, policies and implementation plans, and in enhancing the IHEC s ability to use effectively strategic management tools for electoral public outreach purposes. Outcome 1.2: The Iraqi state has more efficient, accountable and participatory governance at national and sub national levels. To support modernization of the public sector, UN HABITAT organized an international conference on Decentralization and Local Governance in May 2011 in Amman. The conference was the first occasion on which different levels and sectors of senior authorities gathered in one venue to discuss issues of decentralization and the role of local government in service delivery. Building on the international conference, a National Decentralization and Local Governance Conference was organized by the UNDP and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Erbil in June 2011: more than 100 decision makers attended from federal, regional and local levels to assess and validate, as their main objective, the outcomes of the Situation Analysis. With regard to the e Governance (e Gov) portfolio, the first Government Inter operability Framework (GIF) meeting was conducted in January The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Science and Technology, the GoI e Gov steering committee, the UNDP e Gov International consultant and the UNDP e Gov specialist. Additionally, technical support was provided in the development and implementation of a Training of Master Trainers Programme II aiming at developing familiarity with the substantive issues related to e governance for development from a policy, organizational and technological perspective Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

47 As part of the Priority Area support for capacity development of census and large scale surveys, the UNFPA has technically and financially supported the planning, management, designing, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the data collection, processing and analysis, to implement the census project according to international norms and standards. Further support was provided to Iraqi nationals by training them on Hi Tec data capturing technology, especially on Intelligence Recognition Characters (ICR) software. Two of the three stages of census preparation have been successfully completed; the last stage of population counting is not yet implemented, however, due to political tensions. The Iraq Knowledge Network (IKN) survey was supported by the UNFPA through data collection, processing, editing and analysis, in addition to data tabulation and dissemination at national and government levels. The National Statistical System (NSS) in Iraq and the Functional Review (FR) (Phase 1) of the Iraq Public Sector Modernization (I PSM) project were supported by contracting and outsourcing an international company that specializes in statistical reform and systems, to implement the FR requested missions and assessments. The final FR covered the following areas: formation of the IT/information and statistical system, dissemination, classification and coding, legal framework and law, code of practice, data flow system, engendering statistics, civil registration and vital statistics system. On the Local Governance Assessments (LGAs), three grant projects addressing short term recommendations on increasing the level of participatory democracy were implemented through local NGOs in Sulaimaniya and Babil. The LGA reports were published in 2011 and are available on the UNOPS Web site. Subsequently, a three day workshop that aimed to identify lessons learned and share experiences from the implementation of citizens participation interventions in the south was organized in July 2011 in Basra. In line with supporting the GoI in implementing the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, a second round of consultancy support was provided to assist the Ministry Complaint boxes installed to improve citizen feedback to authorities in Sulaimaniya. UNOPS/Bustan Association of Planning (MoP) and the new Partnership Committee under the Deputy Prime Minister. This included a review of the division of mandates, accompanying aid management structures and work plans during the reporting period. As for the Iraq Development Management System (IDMS), it was launched on national television and in front of the national press on 16 June The UNDP and the UNOPS remained on standby to promote the fact that the system is being used by central and local government entities. The UNDP further coordinated the survey to monitor the Paris Declaration in Iraq by collating all information for and from UN Agencies. The lack of institutional clarity, however, between the Partnership Committee under the Deputy Prime Minister s Office and the Ministry of Planning hindered any further progress on this project from an institution building/strengthening standpoint during the reporting period. Finally, in line with efforts to support the development of the National Tourism Strategy, the University of Mustansiriyah was identified as a suitable institution with capacity to train tourism related Government departments in data collection. The University provided training with UNESCO coordination and started producing data on tourism in all Governorates Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

48 Outcome 1.3: Iraq has an improved legal and operational Rule of Law framework for administration and access to justice. The Governance and Human Rights Priority Area continued to support the rule of law in Iraq; a conference entitled Freedom of Expression is a Human Right was held in December 2011 in the Council of Representatives (CoR) with the cooperation of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee and UNAMI Human Rights Office (HRO). The conference aimed to raise awareness of freedom of expression and information as a human right, and to better understand the compatibility of Iraqi laws with international human rights obligations, with particular focus on the current draft legislation dealing with Freedom of Information and Freedom of Expression. Additionally, UNESCO conducted an analysis of the Journalist Protection law in cooperation with two leading firms: Centre for Law and Democracy and Article 19. The new NGO law for the Kurdistan Region was passed by the Kurdistan Parliament in April 2011 and entered into force in May PWG 1, through UNOPS, has provided substantive support during the process of developing the law. The new law offers an enabling framework for the development of civil society. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and cooperation has been signed between the KRG NGOs Department and the International Center for Not for Profit Law (ICNL)/UNOPS. The purpose of the MoU is to facilitate the process of implementing the NGO law; it also serves as a legal basis for cooperation among the three parties for the purpose of strengthening Kurdistan Parliament passing the KRG NGO law in April Photo: KnHRW/Hoshyar Malo capacities. Further to the new NGO law developments, three formal participatory meetings on the development of the NGOs Directorate were organized. The NGOs Directorate approved new registration forms for NGOs. An institutional assessment of the NGOs Directorate began in December In addition, a training session on NGO registration was organized in May 2011 with 35 participants including the State Minister of Civil Society Affairs, Members of the CoR, management and staff of the NGOs Directorate, NGOs and guests from the KRG. A grant fund on NGOs registration training was put in place for six of the NGOs that participated in the registration training in Erbil. These NGOs, in cooperation with the NGOs Directorate, conducted 22 workshops in 18 Governorates during the reporting period. To support the Development of Justice and the Rule of Law, the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area started a public awareness campaign that ran from 15 November to 31 December 2011 with the goal of raising awareness of their legal rights among Iraqis. Additionally, the group has successfully completed activities on improving the curriculum at the Judicial Training Institute by incorporating the topics human rights, gender equity, family code, gender based violence (GBV) and juvenile justice. The group also completed the Iraqi Legal Database (ILD), which was handed over to Iraqi stakeholders in Beirut on 8 December in a ceremony attended by Iraqi officials from the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council (HJC), the Shura Council, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Iraqi Ambassador to Lebanon, Parliament members, representatives from the KRG, experts who worked on developing the database and local and international media. A special department has been created within the HJC and budget to manage the ILD has been allocated by the Chief Justice of Iraq. The ILD is accessible online and contains all legal texts passed since 1917 a total of 27,433, including 7,136 laws, 4,265 ministerial instructions, 3,268 regulations and 5,029 declarations and 18,000 court decisions Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

49 The Governance and Human Rights Priority Area successfully assisted the Sulaimaniya prison in KRG in improving procedures for the admission and reception of inmates. This was achieved through the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training for implementation. As part of the project, a workshop was held on 14 and 15 December in Sulaimaniya; 18 prison staff members from Dahuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniya, of which eight were women, participated in the workshop. Finally, the Programme for the Protection of Detainees and Torture victims (PPDT) provided more than 1300 detainees with legal services, including representation of their cases, and processed more than 2,600 hotline calls for free legal consultation in 17 Iraqi Governorates. The same project trained 520 prison staff members on prisoners rights and provided more than 4,600 men, women and children, some of them ex prisoners, with rehabilitation services for problems resulting from torture and violence. Outcome 1.4: Governmental and nongovernmental institutions protect and promote the human rights of all people in Iraq, with a focus on the most vulnerable. The Governance and Human Rights Priority Area supported the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) in drafting a national action plan on human rights, designed to address the implementation of key recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council. The plan was discussed with civil society and stakeholders at a national conference held in Baghdad in In September 2011, UNOPS, UNESCO and the UNAMI Human Rights Office organized a national conference to discuss the situation of human rights defenders in Iraq. The conference, facilitated by Iraqi civil society experts, was attended by academics, journalists, civil society organization members, MoHR officials and other government representatives from the central government and KRG, and guests from the international community. As a result of the conference, participants agreed on the establishment of an Iraqi federation of human rights defenders that is expected to raise awareness of human rights issues as well as promote, on the national level, the culture of human rights. Activities related to mainstreaming peace building in Iraq were implemented through the NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI). A civic education campaign was undertaken and focused on community based peace building and human rights protection, and contributed to the national dialogue and reconciliation process. The project strengthened the policy debate on integrated community based peace building. NCCI subcontracted 19 Iraqi NGOs to perform peace building and human rights protection activities around Iraq, targeting 5,000 beneficiaries. The Expanded Humanitarian Response Fund (ERF) programme led by the UNDP has supported vulnerable populations in Iraq by partnering with 58 NGOs to implement 82 various sector projects. The funded projects covered 15 Governorates in Iraq by the end of December 2011 and impacted them all by March The ERF has impacted 652,189 direct beneficiaries of whom 311,868 are women, 247,884 are children and 92,437 are men, and including 165,928 internally displaced persons (IDPs). In relation to refugees and IDPs protection and assistance, the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area, led by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), supported 2,449 legal cases received by the Protection Assistance and Reintegration Centres (PARCs). The functional coordination mechanism between the Protection and Assistance Center (PAC) network and the Return Integration and Community Centres (RICC) has been further strengthened, with the gradual merging of UNHCR s PARCs and RICCs, and the integration of functions to become PARCs. In locations where the two separate entities remain, however, (e.g. Baghdad), coordination has been enhanced with the presence of additional legal staff in the RICC, and the ongoing referral of 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

50 protection cases to the lawyers. Furthermore, a new protection database was developed by UNHCR and was rolled out on 1 January The database records protection monitoring information and legal cases assisted by the PARCs for IDPs and returnees, and will be used to direct programming. In addition, a specialized training on how to analyze the data statistically was provided to the ministry for the statistics section. Training for Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) field units in different Governorates was conducted to enable the staff to monitor and evaluate the different projects implemented in their areas that targeted the ministry s beneficiaries. The Programme for Human Security and Stabilization (PHSS) worked closely with the MoDM to train 15 counterparts of MoDM in Erbil in 2011; five staff members from the MoDM Information department received training on the different phases of displacement monitoring that the IOM has been conducting during In addition, a series of consultative workshops were held with MoDM in Beirut in May 2011, bringing together MoDM officials and members of the IOM Iraq s senior management to discuss a possible Memorandum of Understanding for a new project. As part of the continued support for the Independent High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR) in Iraq, the Governance and Human Rights Priority Area continued to provide support to the Committee of Experts on the selection of human rights commissioners. At a meeting on 7 August 2011, the Committee of Experts requested that the UN strengthen its support for the process. In response, the UNDP and the UNAMI HRO organized a workshop from 6 10 September 2011 to provide a forum for the Committee of Experts to discuss several outputs, including the final phase of the human rights commissioners selection process and agreement upon the future organizational structure of the commission. As a result of this workshop, 164 out of the 3,085 applications have been processed and short listed for the final selection phase of the human rights commissioners, including 37 female applicants. The Committee of Experts has agreed to conduct a collective evaluation to be carried out by all Committee members to identify the top 50 candidates for interview. Activities have been planned that aim to promote human rights and the role of the IHCHR. Human rights campaigns were organized to celebrate the International Human Rights Day on 10 December Additionally, 204 human rights defenders participated in seminars designed to raise human rights protection awareness. To increase protection of media professionals, human rights defenders and members of the academic community, UNESCO, in cooperation with the UNAMI HRO, completed 12 consultative meetings in Erbil, Basra and Baghdad with participation by civil society and media organizations, and the academic community. Furthermore, a Steering Committee for a federation comprised of 15 Iraqi human rights activists, academics and media practitioners was formed. A national conference that discussed the situation of human right defenders in Iraq was organized and held in Erbil in September As a result of the conference, participants agreed on the establishment of an Iraqi federation of human rights. An interactive Web site was developed on the issue of human rights defenders, providing a resource for activists. A total of 16 newsletters have been sent out electronically through the Web site ( Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area During the reporting period, the UNDP facilitated coordination with other partners on media support to the IHEC. This included a training series, implemented with support from the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX Iraq), on social media and further developing public opinion surveys. Two sessions on social media took place in December As for the project on strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) for mass grave excavation and the identification of missing Kuwaiti prisoners of war, which followed a previous ITF funded project Support 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

51 to the Ministry of Human Rights in Techniques for Mass Grave Excavation and Identification of Missing Persons bilateral funding was given by the State of Kuwait to procure further mass grave equipment for the MoHR to build further its capacity to investigate the situation of missing persons. The funding was channeled through the UNOPS, which took overall responsibility for procuring the equipment according to specifications given by the MoHR. The Programme for the Protection of Detainees and Torture victims (PPDT) closed project has enhanced the CSOs role and capacity to protect the rights of detainees through capacity support to the Justice Network for Prisoners (JNP), an active network working in the field of prisoners rights. As part of this work in 2011, the project supported an initiative by one JNP member NGO to hold a conference on Alternatives to Imprisonment in the Kurdistan Region. The event, which took place in Erbil in November 2011, gathered together more than 100 officials, members of parliament, judges, lawyers and other members of the judiciary as well as many civil society representatives. As a result of the conference, a proposal was presented and received initial support from the Kurdistan Parliament for a project to begin research and take appropriate action on policies and laws relating to alternatives to detention in the region Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

52 8.2 Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 3 Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 2.1 Outcome 2.2 Outcome 2.3 People in Iraq have improved access to equal job and income opportunities in a diversified and competitive market economy. Vulnerable Iraqis are benefiting from means tested social transfers which stimulate economic growth and reduce dependency. The Government of Iraq has institutionalized a universal social security system covering unemployment, health, old age, disability and other social risks Operating Context during the Reporting Period Among the key elements essential for inclusive economic growth in Iraq are productivity (measured in income generation and decent job creation) and social security, including social transfers, with a view toward creating a solid social protection floor. Iraq s economic environment is characterized by a nascent private sector challenged by a regulatory and policy framework requiring review and modernization, a burgeoning population of youth and women seeking employment opportunities, and heavy reliance on government subsidies such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), which is becoming increasing unsustainable for the Government of Iraq (GoI). The security situation in Iraq remained volatile during 2011, although the long term trends suggest a decline in the overall number of security incidents since The security situation in Kurdistan remained much more permissive than the rest of the country. Iraq continues to face challenges in the delivery of basic services, including the supply and distribution of electricity, which has a significant impact on basic living conditions as well as on economic activities throughout Iraq. According to the Ministry of Electricity, Iraq is generating 8,000 of the 13,000 15,000 mega watts of power currently required to meet Iraqi needs today. Electricity supplies are unreliable, with the public network able to supply, on average, only eight hours of power to Iraqi households per day. Even during periods of low demand, public approval of the electricity supply has never risen above 39 percent since In addition to affecting the functioning of household appliances, low electricity supplies also hamper the pumping of drinking water into homes and severely impact economic development. Many businesses have to invest a significant amount of their revenues in expensive private generators. 2 The size of Iraq s oil revenues inhibits efforts to diversify its economy. Oil export revenues have led to an appreciation of the real exchange rate. This makes exporting difficult for non oil sectors, increases competition from imports and raises costs in non traded sectors. Expansion of more labour intensive non oil sectors is therefore inhibited, limiting the ability of the Iraqi economy to create sustainable jobs and reduce poverty. This problem, commonly known as Dutch Disease, is set to increase as Iraq s oil sector expands faster than non oil sectors over the coming years. Twenty three percent of Iraq s population live below the poverty line of $2.2 expenditure per capita per day and more jobs are required to alleviate poverty. The huge revenues from oil exports are channeled to the Government of Iraq, constituting 90 percent of all Government revenues. The 2 UNCT Iraq Facts and Figures, Electricity 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

53 Government s reliance on tax revenues is therefore low, reducing the pressure for accountability to the Iraqi public. In addition, the size of the oil revenues relaxes the constraint on Government spending, meaning that the private sector is crowded out. For example, the Government is able to offer higher salaries than the private sector, driving up private sector wages and making private sector employment less attractive. The income of a household with a public sector worker in it is on average 14 percent higher than a household with no public sector workers. The size of Government oil revenues are also too large for the Government to spend prudently on investments in high priority needs and services. 3 Iraqi people face high levels of unemployment (23 percent in 2011), particularly among youth. Underemployment was at 43 percent in rural areas and 21 percent in urban ones. Youth unemployment rate is 30 percent, double the national average of 15 percent and far from the target of 4 percent in The economy is unable to produce enough jobs to employ the 450,000 Iraqis entering the labour force each year. Three quarters of workers without an intermediate education lack social security, compared to 55 percent of all employed, and the inability of the economy to generate new jobs outside the public sector remains a key challenge Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period The Priority Working Group (PWG) Inclusive Economic Growth continued to face several implementation challenges during the reporting period. First and foremost, the fluid and unstable political situation still hampers the deployment and movement of project international staff throughout Iraq. Access to all operational areas (except some in the Kurdistan Region) remains limited, hindering the implementation of mandates of UN Agencies working in the PWG. Due to the severe constraints on the mobility of international staff, programmes are largely supervised at a local level by national staff. Secondly, wrangling between key political blocks constitutes the real challenge to development in Iraq, particularly in the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) project Governorates. This cast a shadow on the planning and development of institutional system project activities, such as results of the Iraqi elections, and adversely affected the delivery of programmes and the capacity building implementation schedule Coverage/Counterparts Different counterparts, especially the ministries and governmental institutions concerned with inclusive economic growth, play an important role in the achievement of the sector s outcomes. These partners include the Prime Minister s Advisory Board, Council of Ministers Secretariat, Mayoralty of Baghdad, Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), State Ministry of Women s Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MoIM), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Ministry of Environment (MoEn), Ministry of Endowment (Waqf) and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Oil, Ministry of Health (MoH), KRG Prime Minister, KRG Ministry of Trade and Industry, Erbil Chamber of Commerce, State Board of Tourism, State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, Central Bank of Iraq, National Investment Commission (NIC), Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Iraqi Federation of Industries (IFI), Iraqi Businessmen Union, Association of Iraqi Businessmen, Association of Iraqi Banks and Iraqi contractors and international oil companies. Other partners include selected Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Iraq in the targeted Governorates, representation provincial councils, the Women Higher Commission 3 Oil and Gas Fact sheet, IAU, UNCT Facts and figures, and Musings on Iraq: Iraq News, Politics, Economic, Society: revises its unemployment figures.html 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

54 in Kurdistan and other relevant Iraqi stakeholders including nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners, the Women Leadership Institute, Women Empowerment Organization, and Iraqi Al Amal Association, the General Directorate for Electricity Production (GDEP), Economists Union of Kurdistan, Iraqi Federation of Industries, Industrial Bank of Iraq, Thi Qar Provincial Council, Thi Qar Chamber of Commerce, Thi Qar Iraq Engineer Union, Specialized Institute for Engineering Industries, Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) International, Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC), International Labour Organization (ILO) International Training Centre and microfinance institutions. In addition, Hitachi Limited, Scania Group (a global Swedish manufacturer of trucks and buses), Japan and various Iraqi NGOs, universities, and civil society organizations and religious communities are involved at local levels in many areas. Figure 8 3 Inclusive Economic Growth Priority Area Map 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

55 8.2.5 Results Figure 8 4 Inclusive Economic Growth Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

56 Table 8 4 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Inclusive Economic Growth Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome A5 06 Promotion of Cottage Industries Basra, Missan, Muthanna, Thi Qar A5 15 Rehabilitation of Dairy Plants Baghdad, Babil, Diyala, Kerbela, Missan, Salah Eddin, Wassit 100% % 2.1 A5 17 Community Livelihoods and Micro industry Support in Rural and Urban Areas of North Iraq Erbil, Kirkuk, Sulaimaniya 100% 2.1 A5 19 Rehabilitation of the Date Palm Sector in Iraq Nationwide with focus on Basra, Baghdad, Wassit, Qadissiya 100% 2.1 A5 20 Job Creation through Cottage and Micro Industries Promotion in Al Qadissiya A5 22 Support for Job Creation and Self Employment through Promotion of Micro industries in Ninewa Governorate of Iraq Qadissiya 100% 2.1 Anbar 100% 2.1 A5 23 Towards Sustainable Development of Inland Fisheries in Iraq Anbar, Diyala, Ninewa, Salah Eddin 100% 2.1 A5 28 Technology Acquisition to Re start and Generate Economic Transformation. Nationwide with focus on Anbar 100% 2.1 A5 29 Rehabilitation of Mosul Dairy Plant Ninewa 90% 2.1 A5 30 Developing Iraqi Agriculture and Agro Industrial Data, Information and Analytic Capacities. A5 31 Capacity Building to Reform the Public Distribution System and Strengthen Social Safety Nets for Vulnerable Groups in Iraq A5 32 Iraq Agricultural Growth and Employment Support (I AGES) B1 36 Improving Quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Kurdistan Region Nationwide 90% 2.1 Nationwide 77% 2.2 Nationwide 20% 2.1 Erbil, Dahuk, Sulaimaniya 31 % 2.1 C10 01 Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq (Phase I) Nationwide 100% 2.1 C10 02 International Employment Conference Nationwide 100% 2.1 C10 03 Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq (Phase II) Nationwide 100% 2.1 C10 04 Smart Community Project for Iraq Kirkuk, Thi Qar 100% 2.1 C10 05 Development of National Gender Statistics in Iraq Nationwide 100% 2.1 C10 06 Governance in Support of Employment Creation Programme (GEC) C10 07 Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion in the SME Sector in Iraq Basra 100% 2.1 Baghdad, Erbil, Thi Qar 100% Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

57 Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome C10 08 Restoration of Al Askari Shrine in Samarra City and Rehabilitation of Other Damaged Religious Sites throughout Iraq Baghdad, Salah Eddin 100% 2.1 C10 09 Area based Development Programme Local Area Development Plans (LADP) Basra, Babil, Missan, Sulimaniya, Thi Qar 100% 2.1 C10 10 Local Government Association and Urban Development Capacity Building Project Nationwide 100% 2.1 C10 11 Private Sector Development Programme for Iraq (PSDP I) Nationwide with focus on Anbar, Erbil and Basra 70 % 2.1 C10 12 Enterprise Development through Information and Communication Technology (EDICT) Baghdad, Erbil, Thi Qar 90% 2.1 C10 13 Bridging for Local Area Development Programme (LADP) (Phase II) Basra, Babil, Missan, Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar 80% 2.1 E4 02 National Dispatch Centre Nationwide 100% 2.1 E4 06 Dredging of Umm Qasr Port Approach Channel Nationwide with focus on Basra 100% 2.1 E4 07 Rehabilitation of Mosul Gas Power Station Nationwide with focus on Ninawa E4 08 Rehabilitation of Taji Gas Power Station Nationwide with focus on Baghdad 100% % 2.1 E4 09 Rehabilitation of Hartha Power Station Nationwide with focus on Basra 100% 2.1 E4 10 Rehabilitation of Mussayib Power Station Nationwide with focus on Babil 100% 2.1 E4 15 Emergency Rehabilitation of Mussayib Power Station Stage II E4 17 Technical Assessment for the Development of Agroindustries Sector in Iraq E4 19 Rehabilitation of the Specialized Institute for Engineering Industries Nationwide with focus on Babil 100% 2.1 Nationwide 100% 2.1 Baghdad 100% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 2.1: People in Iraq have improved access to equal job and income opportunities in a diversified and competitive market economy. Through the joint effort of the Inclusive Economic Growth members (UNDP, ILO, UNIDO, UNOPS, UN HABITAT, FAO, UN Women), the Private Sector Development Programme for Iraq (PSDP I) project has been successful in catalyzing a strong governmental commitment for economic reforms. Major accomplishments of the PSDP I during the reporting period, inter alia, include Cabinet endorsed establishment of a Task Force for Economic Reforms and seven Working Groups with members including relevant Iraqi state entities and the private sector, which achieved the following: Legislative assessment and revision, state owned enterprises (SOE) restructuring, small and medium sized enterprises (SME) development, tax and financial policy, investment policy, land management reform, 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

58 social dialogue, submission of Preliminary Legislative Assessment Report (covering investment, commercial, public procurement and privatization core areas as well as assessments in the areas of agriculture, labour, land regime, SMEs, and gender) and development of draft laws on Economic Reforms, Investment, Free Zone and general Private Public Partnerships (with guidelines). Completion of the Preliminary Institutional, Legal and Technical Assessment Administration and Management report for land management reform, and agreement with the GoI and other key Iraqi stakeholders on the development of Land Policy for Iraq and key land policy studies. Preliminary Tax Policy Design Framework developed. Completion of the generic structure for the Agriculture Private Sector Strategy and approval by Iraqi counterparts. Establishment of Governorate Steering Committees at Governorate level (Erbil, Basra, Anbar) and initiation of various downstream activities. A white paper was completed on women s participation in employment and private sector development. Significant progress was achieved in planning/development/coordination in the following areas: PSD strategy, business development services (including successful training of local counterparts), coaching assistance to the Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MoIM) on the formulation of Iraq s Industrial Strategy and Policy. Approval of the Roadmap for Restructuring State Owned Enterprises by the Iraqi Cabinet (31 August 2010, Cabinet Decision #314), including social mitigation measures and reference to the continued support role of the UN and the World Bank; assignment of SOE Restructuring Focal Points in ministries and commencement of the establishment of Restructuring Units within ministries, and preparation for the formation of cross ministerial Restructuring Support Teams. A diagnostic report on national investment mapping was completed by UNIDO. Launching of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and Iraq Local Network, under a joint Secretariat by UNDP and the Council of Ministers Secretariat, as a mechanism to enhance the Iraqi private sector s role in sustainable development and partnerships with Government, and civil society for corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation. The Iraq UNGC Network was launched at an event held in Baghdad and attended by 300 participants representing the government, local and international private sector, civil society, donors and media. On a policy level, UNIDO completed a series of surveys and assessments, undertaking two selected industrial sub sectors (solar energy and non oil minerals, as originally agreed with the Ministry of Industry) and UN HABITAT undertook key studies as needed to develop a comprehensive land policy in order to support economic development in Iraq. Legal assessment for the core areas from a gender perspective and guidelines on how to mainstream gender into the legal review was finalized by UN Women. For the economic recovery component, Economic Development Compacts are being developed by each of the established Economic Development Units in Basra, Anbar and Erbil, and the first stage of the Erbil and Anbar Compacts were completed. UN HABITAT supported the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) Foundation of Technical Education in training unemployed youth for construction skills and IT skills in relation to the construction industry; the training benefitted 206 people in Erbil, 200 in Anbar and 132 in Basra; 20 percent of the trainees were women. Also, training for improved operational and business skills for small scale contractors was completed (44 people in Erbil, 50 in Anbar and 11 in Basra); 11 percent of trainees were women Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

59 Through the Enterprise Development through Information and Communication Technology (EDICT) project, UNIDO partnered with the International Telematic University UNINETTUNO to transform the existing UNIDO resources on enterprise creation and development into an interactive tool which is delivered online and through satellite television. Additionally, 12 technological poles (physical locations) hosting computers with high speed Internet access were set up within the Enterprise Development Units (EDUs), allowing entrepreneurs who lack Internet access elsewhere to access the e learning courses. On business advisory/counseling services: UNIDO mentored business counselors provided regular business advisory and counseling services for the trainees graduating from the training courses, which teach entrepreneurs to draft business plans. A total of 166 entrepreneurs have participated in 536 counseling sessions, leading to the creation of 42 business plans. UNIDO also worked with the Ministry of Industry (MoI) to strengthen the capacity of the GoI in promoting industrial infrastructure development through the Rehabilitation of the Specialized Institute for Engineering Industries project. UNIDO undertook an assessment of the relevant legal frameworks as well as several assessments to identify the needs of specific departments of the institute. Through the Rehabilitation of Mosul Dairy Plant project, UNIDO has been continuing to assist the GoI in the process of rehabilitating and revitalizing the country s economic infrastructure and promoting industrial development, in particular. In 2011 this was achieved by elaborating a sector development strategy for the dairy sector in the northern provinces of Iraq and providing support for the rehabilitation of the Mosul dairy plant. The Bridging for Local Area Development Programme (LADP) (Phase II) project provided technical assistance for the preparation of local socio economic development and service delivery plans in three LADP Governorates. As a result of a series of capacity building exercises, identifying bottlenecks in the local planning process, and thematic consultations on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), five consolidated Provincial Development Plans were achieved. The ILO/UNOPS, Area Coordinators for the north, supported the formation of local Economic Development Groups (EDGs) in all five participating Governorates and provided these groups with technical assistance and on going support to enable them to work on producing the first economic development compacts for their Governorates. By the end of 2011, the EDGs had participated in one major introductory workshop in Beirut and produced plans for conducting territorial diagnostics as the first step in producing Compacts. Iraq; Rehabilitation of the Date Palm Sector in Iraq; Towards Sustainable Development of Inland Fisheries in Iraq; and Support for Job Creation and Self Employment through Promotion of Micro industries in Anbar Governorate of Iraq. These projects helped introduce new technology into Iraq, which lowered the price of fish through increased production across the south of Iraq and helped rehabilitate date palm factories to try to augment the once thriving date palm sector in Iraq. Also, FAO led two projects focused on increasing the capacity of the government to have more data and surveys for future policy formulation regarding the agricultural sector in Iraq Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

60 The Emergency Rehabilitation of Mussayib Power Station Stage II project was led by the UNDP. During Stage II, the plant staff s technical capabilities were upgraded to not only operate and maintain the unit once it was rehabilitated, but also to assess the requirements for rehabilitation of other units and to undertake repair and maintenance works with minimum international supervision. The Ministry of Electricity s capacity was supported by modern maintenance management software and the installation of a mobile video/audio system for plant equipment condition assessment. Additionally, the Area Based Development Programme Local Area Development Plans (LADP) project was completed successfully. Al Mussaib Thermal Power Plant. Outcome 2.2: Vulnerable Iraqis are benefiting from means tested social transfers which stimulate economic growth and reduce dependency. World Food Programme (WFP) made progress in strengthening capacity to design and implement efficient Social Safety Net (SSN) programmes, mainly through the implementation of training workshops and the analysis of needs. Two staff from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) were trained in SSN design in Thailand, followed by three more trainings in Amman, Erbil, and Baghdad on SSN impact analysis and design for 19 staff from MoLSA and training in Erbil on monitoring and evaluation for seven staff from MoLSA. The goal for this activity is to train 15 Staff from MoLSA while the current achieved indicator is seven MoLSA staff. In addition, 15 MoLSA staff members were trained on SSN design to augment their capacities in policy analysis. Also during the reporting period, the Food Security and Vulnerability Survey was conducted and a tabulation report was published during December 2011; publication of the detailed analytical report is planned for Additionally, the Ministry of Trade (MoT) has strengthened its capacity to support efficient food supply chains management in Iraq, including the implementation of training workshops and the development of Supply Chain Management training curricula to be used during the Training of Trainers to be implemented during Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area The Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) in the SME Sector in Iraq IPI project implemented by UNIDO aims at supporting the development of SMEs in Iraq by strengthening the existing Enterprise Development Centers (EDCs) established within Iraqi public institutions in the Governorates of Baghdad, Thi Qar and Erbil and mandated with supporting private sector development. These Centers, established by the Enterprise Development through Information and Communication Technology (EDICT) project, have been servicing Iraqi entrepreneurs through interventions such as training courses and business counseling since The project will reinforce the Centers with investment promotion tools such as UNIDO s Subcontracting and Partnerships Exchange (SPX) and will support the Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC) to promote and assess investment projects. In this regard, IPI is in line with the objectives set by the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Iraq (UNDAF) for , particularly with those pertaining to poverty reduction and income generation through job creation. Accordingly, the project falls under UNIDO interventions held within the framework of the UN Priority Working Group (PWG) on inclusive, more equitable and sustainable economic growth Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

61 8.3 Environment Priority Area Environment Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 5 Environment Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 3.1 Outcome 3.2 Outcome 3.3 Outcome 3.4 The Iraqi state has institutionalized policy and the operational framework for the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. The Iraqi state is responsive to climate change issues in line with its commitments to ratified international agreements. The Government of Iraq has improved programmes for the prevention and control of pollution. The Government of Iraq has institutionalized improved mechanisms to prevent, mitigate and respond to natural and man made disasters Operating Context during the Reporting Period Over the past decades, Iraq s environment has suffered greatly from the impact of poor policies regarding pollution and resource management, and from natural and man made disasters, including flooding, conflict and physical infrastructure deterioration. Iraq currently faces drought, desertification, sandstorms and increasing soil salinity. Blessed with rich biodiversity and natural resources, Iraq is recognizing that exploitation of its natural resources must be accompanied by safeguards. The Government of Iraq (GoI) has identified the environment as a priority within the National Development Plan (NDP) in order to meet international treaty obligations and ensure that its plans for economic and human development include environmental considerations. While economic growth is critical to human development, it must take into account safe environmental practices to preserve natural resources for future generations as well as to protect the health and welfare of the people as reflected by the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7: Ensure environmental sustainability. The Environment Priority Area has four outcomes that aim at the development of a policy and an institutional framework and associated mechanisms to support the state s ability to address the growing global, regional and national environmental challenges impacting Iraq. The regional/trans boundary nature of Iraq s water resource management issues in particular makes the Environment Priority Working Group (PWG) engagement between interested parties a high priority. The primary focuses are on mitigation to avoid further regression and on laying the foundation for forward movement on key environmental issues with national, sub national and regional impact. Immediate environmental issues include: water resource management and trans boundary water treaties; reversing the impact of policies and practices from previous regimes regarding marshlands and biodiversity, as well as industrial policies, desertification and sandstorms; and addressing the environmental impact of conflict (i.e. depleted uranium, unexploded ordinance, landmines and other remnants of war). Given the relationship between the environment and essential services as well as economic diversification, the Environment PWG is contributing directly to the GoI s environmental priorities as well as in a cross cutting manner to other Priority Working Groups such as health, agriculture, employment generation and gender. The Environment PWG is directing its efforts in close collaboration with the Ministries of Environment (MoEn), Water Resources (MoWR), Industry and Minerals (MoIM), and Agriculture (MoA) to support the development and implementation of integrated natural resource management practices. The Environment PWG has formulated Programme Concept Notes (PCN) to implement programmes to formulate and strengthen environmental policies, as well as to develop operational and managerial capacities for resource management. Treaties and legislation will 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

62 be enhanced on a regional and international level in order to comply with already established national and international standards, and to address urgent issues such as trans boundary water issues. Iraq is exposed to a range of natural and man made disasters that affect the lives and livelihoods of its citizens, such as floods, epidemics, sandstorms, desertification, and soil salinity. Other man made disasters include depleted uranium, sulfur dioxide release from sulfur stockpiles, air and surface water contamination from oil spills and fires, and landmines and other remnants of war that threaten the safety of communities and impede the productive use of arable lands. To address these issues, the Environment PWG has focused on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) as well as Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), which highlight the connection between DRM, poverty reduction and inclusive growth, and the linkage between vulnerability and natural and human induced hazards Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period Environment and climate change considerations compete with other priorities for the attention of the general public and the government. Data collection and analysis remains weak, and government institutions (e.g. water sector) will not give easy access to data because of security considerations. Environmental issues are politically sensitive: examples include the impact of oil exploitation on the environment and trans boundary water issues. The regional dimensions of some of the environmental issues in Iraq (e.g. sandstorms, marshlands) exceeds the mandate of the Iraq United Nations Country Team (UNCT). The weak institutional capacity of the MoEn and its unclear mandate within the GoI make coordinating the work of other stakeholders difficult. The lack of funding hindered the implementation of most of the planned programmes/projects for UN Agencies lacked dedicated staff to coordinate environmental issues within and across UN organizations. Some delays developed because of difficulties in obtaining entry visas for Iraqi trainees in many counties because of restrictive visa policies, long and time consuming procedures or the absence of embassies in Baghdad where visa applications could take place. The identification of required equipment and the subsequent preparation of technical specifications for large amounts of equipment and supplies through the agreed on collaborative process between the UN Agencies and the GoI ministries experts, were important but time consuming Coverage/Counterparts The main partners are the Government ministries and institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector. The primary national partners include: the Ministry of Planning (MoP), with the Ministry of Environment (MoEn) and the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) as co chairs, the Ministry of Oil, Ministry Of Construction and Housing (MoCH), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Electricity, Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MoMPW), Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Communications (MoC), Ministry of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior (MoI), Ministry of Education (MoEd), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MoIM), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM), and the KRG Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the KRG Environmental Protection and Improvement Board, the Central Statistical Organization (CSO)/Kurdistan Regional Statistics Office (KRSO) and civil society. The UN Agency members include: UNDP and FAO (as co chairs), and UNEP, UNESCO, UN HABITAT, WHO, UNIDO, the Information and Analysis Unit (IAU), UNOPS, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF and 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

63 the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA). Moreover, UNAMI plays a significant role in this group, given the political implications of many environmental issues such as trans boundary, sandstorms, and marshlands. Figure 8 5 Environment Priority Area Outcomes Map Results Figure 8 6 Environment Priority Area Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

64 Table 8 6 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Environment Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome A5 01 Drainage Conditions in Agricultural Areas Babil, Wassit 100% 3.1 A5 02 Rehabilitation of Pumping Stations Baghdad, Anbar, Babil, Diyala, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Thi Qar, Wassit A5 04 Community Irrigation Schemes Erbil, Babil, Dahuk, Ninewa, Sulaimaniya 100% % 3.1 A5 07 Strengthening Environmental Governance in Iraq through Assessment and Capacity Building A5 11 Support for Environmentally Sound Technology (EST) Applications in the Iraqi Marshlands Nationwide 100% 3.1 Basra, Missan, Thi Qar 100% 3.1 A5 18 Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Traditional Irrigation Schemes in Resettled Areas Erbil, Babil, Dahuk, Sulaimaniya 100% 3.1 A5 26 Improvement of Water Supply and Irrigation Provisions through the Rehabilitation of Abu Sabkha Pumping Station A7 02 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Capacity Building and Clearance Qadissiya 100% 3.1 Basra, Thi Qar 100% 3.4 A7 03 Support to the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Center Sulaimaniya, Dahuk, Erbil 100% 3.4 A7 04 Strengthening of the National Mine Action Authority in Southern Iraq A7 05 Support for Rural Development and Safer Environment through Mine Action Basra 100% 3.4 Basra 100% 3.4 A7 06 Support to the GoI s Capacity Development for Mine Action Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Sulaimaniya 60% 3.4 D2 08 Hazardous Waste Chemicals Collection and Storage: Al Qadissiya site Baghdad 100% 3.3 E3 03 Water Quality Control and Surveillance Nationwide 100% 3.3 E3 11 Water Quality Control and Surveillance in Iraq (Phase II) Nationwide 100% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 3.1: The Iraqi state has institutionalized policy and the operational framework for the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. In consultation with the FAO, the MoWR has taken steps to establish a pilot area project for the Water Users Association (WUA) in 15 out of 18 Governorates (the three in the KRG are excluded) and two irrigation projects, namely Al Ishaky and Mesopotamia. The MoWR has trained 10 engineers in each Governorate to carry on this task. It also prepared visibility materials, such as posters and TV spots, and established an Office of Water Extension in each Governorate to increase public awareness of the effort. The Director of Water Resources in each Governorate 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

65 was nominated as the chief of the WUA team. As from 2011 on, the project was transferred to the MoWR and became part of its plan for the year. They are now waiting for related laws to be enacted by the Parliament. Two Iraqi engineers from the MoWR were trained successfully at the production facilities of the supplier in the Czech Republic and four sets of complete screw main pumps have been safely received, installed and accounted for at the site during Other successes include: Drafted law for the establishment of the National Water Council. Began to develop a framework for devolved Water Boards. Completed a preliminary assessment of the Integrated Community Water Management Plans. A three month initial assessment was conducted to identify key needs and areas of interventions related to integrated community water management plans. A concept note was developed and an in depth water scarcity survey was carried out and data was collected (the data is being analyzed, and a Abu Sabkha Project: Installation of Pumping Station detailed report is being prepared). FAO. Finalized the Preliminary Organizational Assessment for Ministry of Environment. An initial organizational assessment was conducted with MoEn leadership while the parameters for the organizational development (OD) scan were identified to initiate a National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP). Attention for Biodiversity issues was agreed on with the MoEn. Outcome 3.2: The Iraqi state is responsive to climate change issues in line with its commitments to ratified international agreements. Established Working Groups on climate change mitigation, adaptation and vulnerability. Provided exposure on urban planning for climate change and carbon reduction to city leaders. Finalized studies on energy efficiency, renewable energy and the environment. Outcome 3.3: The Government of Iraq has improved programmes for the prevention and control of pollution. Inspected the quality of drinking water sources in three Governorates to monitor the water quality and strengthen the surveillance system; sanitary inspection has been completed for about 1,600 drinkingwater resources in Suleimaniya, Thi Qar and Anbar Governorates. Discussions with the GoI have been underway for engagement in: Enhancing private and public sector knowledge about the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Programme (RECP) and hazardous materials management in industry. Identifying the reclamation requirements of areas impacted by hazardous waste. Improving Government Officials capacity to monitor the contamination of water resources. Enhancing the health care waste management system in three Governorates Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

66 Outcome 3.4: The Government of Iraq has institutionalized improved mechanisms to prevent, mitigate and respond to natural and man made disasters. Completion of rehabilitation of 110 shallow wells in the KRG region (Dahuk, Erbil and Suleimaniya). Draft legislation is underway to be formulated by the national disaster risk reduction (DRR) committee, making use of examples from Thailand and other countries, and a framework for an apex institution is being explored. A national committee for drought mitigation was formed to contribute to the development of a national drought mitigation strategy. Housing construction norms, standards and codes analysis has been concluded to assist in supporting the MoCH in modifying housing norms and standards and construction codes in line with the assessment and mapping of natural disaster risks. A satellite image acquisition plan has been established to contribute to enhanced access of the GoI, UNCT and UNAMI to GIS information on drought in Iraq Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area The first programme under the Environment Priority Working Area, Development of a National Framework for Integrated Drought Risk Management (DRM) in Iraq was approved and is funded by the Iraq UNDAF Fund. The programme is implemented jointly by the UNDP, UNESCO and GoI partners that include the Prime Minister s Advisory Commission (PMAC) as the primary counterpart, MoEn, MoWR, MoA, MoST, MoMPW, Ministry of Electricity, MoLSA, MoP, MoSA, MoH, the KRG ministries of Water Resources, Municipalities and Tourism, Planning and Electricity, the Higher Committee on Environment (KRG), the Deserts Studies Center (University of Anbar) and Badia Studies (Al Muthanna University) with a total budget of $479,884. The DRM programme aims to build consensus on drought definition, causes and impacts; establish a baseline of data; and map the required interventions. By the end of 2011, a Steering Committee (SC) and a Task force (TF) were established and a joint meeting of the SC and TF was held to initiate the consensus building process. A Senior National Field Coordinator was appointed and, in cooperation with ESCWA, the planning for a consensus building and awareness workshop started. UNCT sandstorms mission: This issue was initially brought to the attention of the Environment PWG by UNAMI Tehran in A UNCT mission visited Tehran to determine the best ways to deal with the issue of sandstorms. The Iraq MoEn is now preparing a regional symposium that will be held in Basra in November The UN will support this symposium through the mobilization of technical assistance from the UNCT Iraq as well as the UNEP and the UNDP Drylands Development Centre (DDC) Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

67 8.4 Essential Social Services Priority Area Water and Sanitation Essential Social Services Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 7 Essential Social Services Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 4.4 People in Iraq have improved access to safe water, sanitation, electricity and municipal services Operating Context during the Reporting Period During 2011, UNICEF and UN HABITAT, as Co Chairs for the Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Priority Working Group (PWG), called for four meetings with the other UN Agencies and Government of Iraq (GoI) partners to coordinate more effectively the progress of the projects. The meetings were conducted in Baghdad and connected with other partners in offices in Amman and Erbil. These meetings resulted in better communication among all of the stakeholders and contributed to effective monitoring and implementation of the Programme. UNICEF Monitoring and Evaluation focal points supported the process, resulting in the development of a monitoring framework that addressed United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Priority 4 and identified indicators specific to these projects. Coordination among the multiple UN Agencies has taken time. Lessons learned, from other joint projects, reflect a similar pattern: multi agency coordination and joint planning can take time before the project is on the ground. All efforts are being made to stay on schedule. Building communication, trust and partnerships in multiple Governorates is taking time. Close collaboration with the Government requires attendance by Ministry Officials. The timing of attendance to such activities has to work around the Government Officials availability and ministry level approval for travel. Delays are experienced in government reviews and document approvals. The security situation limited movement within the red zone and access to the respective Governorates, working sites, ministries and other locations in the country Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period The major challenges and constraints encountered by the four UN Agencies during the implementation of the programme can be summarized as the following: Lack of Integrated Water Resources Management strategy combined with severe water shortages; Absence of national policies weakens national level planning; Budget reductions, lack of infrastructure and maintenance; Inadequate capital, operations and maintenance investment; Limited capacities at Governorate levels for planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of Water and Sanitation activities; Difficult to identify competent companies for specialized technical studies and development of master plans; Building cooperation, communication, trust and partnerships in multiple Governorates; Government Officials are not always available and regular meetings are not possible on short notice; Inefficient coordination mechanism among UN Agencies and related ministries and/or Governorates; Budget constraints for the programme components; Time limitations on successful implementation of programme tasks; Collection and availability of data not easily achieved; Travel procedures, especially for workshops and training purposes; Difficulties and delay in some Municipalities in nominating participants for training Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

68 8.4.4 Coverage/Counterparts The Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MoMPW), Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism (MoMT/KRG), Ministry of Environment (MoEn), Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Mayoralty of Baghdad and Governorates of Anbar, Thi Qar, Sulaimaniya, Erbil, Basra and Najaf. UN Agencies are: UNICEF, UN HABITAT, UNDP, WHO and UNOPS and international and local NGOs such as the Danish Refugee Council, Premiére Urgence, KURDS, Qandil, and Relief International. The Governorates of Anbar, Sulaimaniya and Thi Qar are benefitting from direct physical and technical interventions leading to the formulation of sector master plans for WATSAN and solid waste management. Moreover, specialized equipment and machinery shall be procured for the Governorates of Al Anbar, Sulimaniyah and Thiqar, including water tankers, sewage tankers, jetting vehicles, garbage compactors and garbage collection containers. In addition to the above Governorates, an additional three Governorates (Salah Eddin, Wassit and Erbil) will be provided with capacity building to formulate and update their own master plans to replicate the physical interventions undertaken in Anbar, Sulaimaniya and Thi Qar. Moreover, the programme in all of the six Governorates will be accompanied by: Sanitary inspections of main water resources; Strengthened capacity building of government staff in sanitary inspections and water quality monitoring through on the job training and specialized training programmes; and Awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene issues to safeguard public health in the peripheral/high risk areas in the selected Governorates. The Unaccounted for Water (UFW) project is being implemented jointly by UNOPS and UNICEF for the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MoMPW). The training on UFW activities and supply of Leak Detection (LD) equipment was carried out by UNOPS for all 18 Governorates in Iraq. Two District Meter Areas (DMAs) were established in Anbar and Najaf Governorates that will identify the consumption patterns as well as water losses in the system. The implementation is being carried out in cooperation with local consultants and contractors. The Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism (MoMT) KRG, General Water Directorates and Sulaimaniya Water Directorate, in addition to MoEn and DoEn, were the main partners in Water Security and Safety for the Vulnerable Communities in Sulaimaniya City program; the Governmental counterpart worked closely with UNICEF and WHO to ensure smooth implementation of project activities. Also the financial contribution of MoMT KRG to this project helped reduce the risk of water borne disease outbreaks in the targeted areas. Additionally, continuous sharing of information ensures the streamlining of activities and conformity with the program outcomes. The primary beneficiaries are the residents of Sulaimaniya city. Around 400,000 people benefitted from the rehabilitation of Sarchinar water project and the construction of Chlorine Hall. Out of these beneficiaries, 60,000 directly benefitted from the rehabilitation of Bakhtiari (40,000 people) and Sarchinar (20,000 people) quarters water network. The Iraq Public Sector Modernization Programme is a joint programme the UN established with the UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, UN HABITAT, UNFPA, UNIFEM and ESCWA to support the GoI in modernizing its public sector by adopting a public sector reform strategy for all of Iraq s Government (national coverage) Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

69 Figure 8 7 Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Map Results Figure 8 8 Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Essential Social Services Priority Area Water and Sanitation UNDG ITF Projects Completion Status as of 31 December % 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% D2-10 D2-12 E3-01 E3-03 E3-04 E3-05 E3-06 E3-07 E3-08 E3-09 E3-10 E3-12 E3-13 E3-14 E3-15 E3-16 E3-17 E3-18 E3-19 E4-01 Percentage of Completion Project Number 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

70 Table 8 8 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Water and Sanitation Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome D2 10 Health Care Waste Management Baghdad 100% 4.4 D2 12 Establishment of Solid Waste Management System in City of Kirkuk E3 01 Rehabilitation of Water and Sanitation Systems in Southern Iraq Kirkuk 100% 4.4 Southern Governorates 100% 4.4 E3 02 Rehabilitation of Chlorination Plant Basra Canceled E3 03 Water Quality Control Surveillance Nationwide 100% 4.4 E3 04 Emergency Rehabilitation of Karama Water Treatment Plant Line 1 E3 05 Community based Integrated WATSAN Rehabilitation and Management Project Baghdad, Al Karkh 100% 4.4 Qadissiya, Diwaniya City 100% 4.4 E3 06 Emergency WATSAN and Health Support for the Basra Governorate E3 07 Kerbela Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation of Filter Units E3 08 Addressing Short and Long Term Water and Sanitation Needs for Umm Qasr E3 09 Emergency Water Supply in Un served/underserved/ Vulnerable Areas in Baghdad and IDPs E3 10 Rehabilitation of Water Distribution Networks in Al Bat ha and Al Rifa i E3 12 Rehabilitation of Water Distribution System in Sidakan and Ruwanduz E3 13 Rehabilitation of Sewerage Facilities in Selected Locations in Basra City E3 14 Solid Waste Management Project for Iraqi Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works and the Governorate of Basra E3 15 Emergency Water Supply and Sanitation for Abu Al Khaseeb E3 16 Water Security and Safety for the Vulnerable Communities in Sulaimaniya City E3 17 Water and Sanitation Master Planning and Capacity Building Programme E3 18 Strengthening Capacity for Management of Unaccounted for Water (UFW) E3 19 Advanced Hydrogeological Survey for Sustainable Groundwater Development in Iraq (Phase I) Basra (Umm Qasr, Safwan, Shouaiba, Khor Al Zubair, Abu Al Khaseeb, Kerbela, Hai Al Hussain District 100% % 4.4 Umm Qasr 97% 4.4 Baghdad: 10 underserved neighborhoods and outskirts, plus six hospitals Thi Qar/Nassiriya and Al Rifa i Districts 100% % 4.4 Erbil, Sulaimaniya 100% 4.4 Basra, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Wassit E4 01 Emergency Power Supply Basra, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Ninewa, Thi Qar 100% 4.4 Basra 100% 4.4 Basra/Abu Al Khaseeb 100% 4.4 Sulaimaniya 100% 4.4 Thi Qar, Anbar, Sulaimaniya 80% 4.4 Anbar and Najaf 77% 4.4 Nationwide 100% % Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

71 8.4.6 Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Two projects started in 2010 and continued, with progress, in 2011: Strengthening Capacity for Management of Unaccounted for Water (UFW) and Advanced Hydrogeological Survey for Sustainable Groundwater Development in Iraq (Phase I). Significant activities have been completed as follows: Water Security and Safety for the Vulnerable Communities in Sulimaniyah City A steering committee consisting of UNICEF, WHO, the General Directorate for Water and Sewerage and the Sulaimaniya Water Directorate was established to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the project. The sanitary inspection for Sirchnar water facility was completed and the results helped in identifying the gaps within the water facility. Based on the inspection outcome, storage, operation and maintenance of the chlorination system has improved and the water is tested four times daily to ensure its compliance with Iraqi Drinking Water Standards before being pumped to the end users. The construction of Chlorine Hall was finalized; this work contributed to increased access to better quality water for 400,000 people in Sulaimaniya city and Sarchinar district. The physical rehabilitation of electro mechanical work and upgrading of the mechanical and electrical installations of Sarchinar water project were finalized based on the international pumping expert recommendation. Necessary spare parts were procured and delivered to Sulaimaniya Water Directorate (SWD). All essential laboratory supplies and reagents were procured and delivered to both SWD and DoH; water quality laboratories helped perform water quality testing for Sarchinar water facility before water was pumped to consumers, enhancing water quality monitoring at the consumer level. Both the rehabilitation/extension of Bakhtiari quarter water network, benefiting 40,000 people, and the rehabilitation/extension of the Sarchinar quarter water network, benefiting 20,000 people, were completed, contributing to improved access to safe water Solid Waste Management and Master Planning Project Sanitation conditions in urban cities have significantly improved in Thi Qar, Anbar, Sulaimaniya, Erbil and Basra since municipal garbage collection and disposal facilities, including trucks, semi trailers, and compactors have been supplied. Also, the construction of Basra landfill along with the supply of generators and a weighbridge have proved of great benefit in increasing access to garbage disposal service. This in turn had a positive impact on the environment. The project aims to support the development of the Water and Sanitation Master Plan working closely with local Government, strengthen the capacity of local Government in the formulation of and the updating of Water and Sanitation Master Plans in the Governorates, and procure water tankers, sewage tankers and jetting vehicles for the Landfill work in Basra. three Governorates. Development of a solid waste management (SWM) master plan for Basra, Sulaimaniya, Anbar, Thi Qar and Erbil has strengthened the capacity of municipalities in 18 Governorates to manage solid waste. In addition, the institutional capacity for managing solid waste has been enhanced Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

72 8.4.9 Capacity building activities Five training courses covering the following areas were held in Erbil: Municipal Solid Waste Collection System Evaluation and Design, Maintenance Management, Waste Management Information System and Controlled Dumpsites and Landfill Operation. These courses included a training of trainers component; 40 Government staff from the Basra Governorate benefited from the courses. A total of 29 Government engineers/technical staff from Sulaimaniya, Erbil and Dahuk water directorates were trained on the operation and maintenance of diesel generators; 20 water and sewerage engineers were trained on the operation of Water CAD and Sewage CAD software. Staff from Water and Sewage Authorities trained in WATSAN management. UN HABITAT enhanced municipal capacities in operational management and the maintenance of solid waste management in selected Governorates, and carried out procurement of garbage collectors for the three selected Governorates; Anbar, Thi Qar and Sulaimaniya. Training of the water authority s senior management staff was successfully completed. UFW equipment was delivered to UNICEF warehouses in Baghdad and will be delivered to both Najaf and Anbar soon; software including handbooks on the planning, design, operation and maintenance of water facilities were distributed to directorates of water in ten Governorates. On the ground, the construction of concrete chambers for flow meters was started in both Najaf and Anbar. UNICEF also plans to conduct a workshop on Water Safety and Adequacy Plan in which representatives from different concerned Authorities and their partners will participate Public Awareness and Hygiene Promotion Campaigns Key accomplishments for public awareness and education campaigns have been achieved. Four hygiene awareness campaigns that targeted housewives, school children and community leaders were implemented in Sarchinar sub district; approximately 15,000 people benefitted from the campaigns. The campaign awareness tools include posters, leaflets, T shirts, caps and hygiene kits. Government Authority staff were trained in the implementation, operation and management of water facilities. In general, these activities affected many cross cutting issues. The campaigns aim to make a positive impact on the environment by protecting water resources from pollution through sanitary inspection and source protection. The project benefits all water consumers (men, women and children); in building capacity there was a conscious gender balance. One of the primary goals is that all people, whatever their stage of development and their social and economic conditions, have the right to have access to an adequate supply of safe drinking water. Water quality surveillance capacity increased in the targeted six Governorates. In terms of employment creation, the rehabilitation works, local procurement and transport of goods create job opportu School children distributing public awareness materials. School children receiving public awareness information about personal hygiene Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

73 nities. In terms of public participation, the hygiene campaign was based purely on public participation and targeted school children, housewives and community leaders; it helped raise awareness about personal hygiene practices among population groups in the target Governorates Other major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area More than 700,563 vulnerable and rural populations (55 percent female) benefited from UNICEF interventions and an additional one million people will benefit once the ongoing projects are complete as follows: The projects provided 207,500 vulnerable and emergency affected people with access to a safe water supply. Eight new water supply systems were completed in Erbil, Diala and Kerbela Governorates, benefiting more than 50,000 people; another three are being constructed in two more Governorates once completed, these will benefit an additional 48,000 people. Rehabilitation of 11 different water supply systems in five Governorates will, when completed, benefit more than 83,500 people; another four ongoing rehabilitation projects are expected, once completed, to benefit more than 485,000 people. In the Basra Governorate, 50,000 people benefited from receiving 114 tons of chemicals for the operation of Reverse Osmosis (RO) units. Eight solar powered RO units were procured and delivered to Dahuk, Missan and Muthanna Governorates, benefitting 25,000 people. The projects provided 130,900 vulnerable and rural populations with improved access to sanitation facilities: Two new sanitation projects were completed in two Governorates, together benefiting about 33,000 people; rehabilitation of six sanitation facilities were completed in six Governorates, benefiting 97,900 people; and rehabilitation of another three sanitation facilities is ongoing in two Governorates. Projects provided emergency supplies to 25,200 people in five Governorates (5,000 persons in Anbar, 500 in Kerbela, 1000 in Ninewa, 2500 in Wassit, 15,000 in Baghdad and 1,200 in Sulaimaniya). Government staff totaling 563 people from four line ministries and 18 Governorates participated in different exposure visits, technical trainings and administration trainings. Various hygiene and sanitation promotion activities reached 330,000 persons in all Governorates (210 community hygiene mobilizers from Anbar, Babil, Kerbela, Muthanna, Najaf and Qadissia trained on hygiene promotion and 30 teachers from Basra trained on hygiene promotion Training of Teachers). About 16,500 school children were provided with improved access to cleaner water through improved watersupply and sanitation facilities Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

74 To meet the MDG Target 2, Ensure that all schools have adequate child friendly water and sanitation facilities and hygiene education programmes, an additional 82,000 school children (about 50 percent girls) were targeted by the ongoing child friendly Water And Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) in schools programme. UNICEF, with five partners, launched the WASH in School programme in 194 schools in 15 Iraqi Governorates; the project activities are as follows: The rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in schools including the provision of WASH facilities for disabled children: The detailed needs of this activity will be different from school to school depending on the existing situation which will be determined at a later stage by UNICEF and Partners technical staff before the project commences. Establishment of sanitation clubs and hygiene promotion in schools: This activity should be planned in such a way that there is continuity of hygiene promotion in targeted schools throughout the project life time and the expectation of behavioral change in the target schools. Training of Teachers (TOT) on hygiene and sanitation promotion: Plans are for two teachers per school to be trained on hygiene and sanitation. Training of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and school administration staff on the management, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities: Plans are for two school administration staff and two PTA members per schools to be trained. Programmes Cooperation Agreements were issued with five NGOs to carry out the aforementioned activities as follows: 1. Activities in 45 schools in Wassit, Baghdad and Diala are implemented by Premiére Urgence; 2. Activities in 43 Schools in Anbar, Najaf and Diwaniya are implemented by Relief International; 3. Activities in 60 schools in Basra, Thi Qar, Missan and Muthanna are implementing by the Danish Refugee Council; 4. Activities in 47 schools in Dahuk, Ninewa and Salah Eddin are implementing by Qandil; 5. Activities in 15 schools in Erbil and Sulaimaniya will be implemented by KURDS Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

75 8.5 Essential Social Services Priority Area Education Essential Social Services Education Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 9 Essential Social Services Education Sub Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 4.1 Outcome 4.2 The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. The Government of Iraq has enabled more children and youth to access and complete quality basic, vocational, higher and non formal education Operating Context during the Reporting Period 2011 marked the beginning of the implementation of new strategic plans for Iraq. The five year National Development Plan (NDP) that allocates $20 billion annually in public investments and incorporates the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in its strategic goals had been finalized by the Government of Iraq (GoI) and endorsed by the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in May The Iraqi Education sector has improved in access and quality; these gains are insufficient, however, to realize the NDP goals and MDG Goal Number 2, to Provide free and compulsory primary Education for All (EFA). Further effort would be needed to ensure this achievement by Overall, 2011 has been characterized by increased implementation of all projects based on the overall improvement of security and the political situation in Iraq. Although security issues remain a concern in the country, there have been no major security related delays in Education project implementation. In all projects, foundational policy and strategic frameworks were developed and revised into final or near final drafts. Cooperation and coordination has been strengthened among relevant partner Agencies and strategic partnerships have been created between local and international institutions. The recent events registered in the Arab Region, defined as Arab Spring, have consistently affected the Iraqi society. The protests and demonstrations have had youth as the protagonists; most of these young people are educated and dissatisfied by a society unable to provide employment opportunities, equal opportunities and social justice. The GoI is striving to respond to these events, including the decision to take immediate action rethinking the ongoing development interventions addressing youth, to tackle their needs more efficiently. The GoI considers it necessary to create, immediately, opportunities for youth to have access to employment and entrepreneurial skills development, in the short term, in order to allow them to be more proactive, to create their own prosperity, to fulfill their dreams and to depend less on the government. As a result, the GoI, both in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), requested significant changes in the project s activities to address the priorities described above. This is one of the reasons for the request of an extension of related projects such as Technical Vocational Education Training in KRG Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period Joint programmes have faced some challenges concerning coordination between participating Agencies. In the absence of an agreement on a standard methodology from the beginning, institutionalized cooperation mechanisms paired with periodic communication offered a solution to ensure synergies and prevent overlap. Upstream projects will be challenged to expand the consultative process involving stakeholder participation mechanisms, not only from the Ministry of Education (MoEd) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) in Iraq and KRG, but also from the Council of Representatives and the broader Governorate 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

76 level authorities, the civil society, etc., that need to be proactively involved in the process to ensure that they act as agents of change. Many activities were implemented out of the country due to the availability of trainers and expertise; this is directly related to the prevailing security procedures that restricted the movement of international consultants inside Iraq. Frequent delays were experienced in the delivery of equipment. Delays in receiving tax exemption letters from the MoEd, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), and MoHESR led to equipment being held at through borders, resulting in extra costs for demurrage fees. As for the construction of school buildings and the provision of furniture, some delays occurred due to the following reasons: The contractors who were awarded the contracts for the constructions of schools by UN HABITAT failed to finish part of their assigned work. Accordingly, the contracts have been terminated and a new bidding process will be conducted. The procurement process for school furniture faced delays due to a fire incident in the designated factory; the committee did not respond on time to the submitted sample which resulted in expiration of the validity of the sample. UN HABITAT has finalized the preparation of a new sample that will be submitted for approval by the MoEd committee. Administrative changes in the ministries and provincial councils affected the implementation of a few project activities. New staff must be introduced to and familiarized with the planned activities before the plans are implemented. Frequent religious holidays and the rainy season have delayed the implementation of the students schoolscreening activities Coverage/Counterparts The Education Sub PWG is operational in all 18 Governorates of Iraq. The primary counterparts are the MoEd and its Directorates in each of the Governorates, as they are the main recipients of support and are involved in all stages of programme design, planning and implementation. Another primary counterpart is the MoHESR. In addition, directors, principals and teachers at schools and institutes were involved in all procedures relating to the identification of project locations, finalizing the scope of rehabilitation works, procurement, quality control and progress monitoring. These continuous partnerships helped to ensure transparency and a greater sense of responsibility to, ownership of, commitment to and sustainability of projects after their completion. Other government entities involved in the efforts include the Foundation of Technical Education (FTE), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Ministry of Culture and Youth (KRG) and Ministry of Human Rights (Baghdad), in addition to technical institutes and university departments. Some projects continued to be implemented in collaboration with international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), as well as with public and private universities, contractors and even a private consulting firm in order to ensure not only optimal cost performance but also efficient implementation, since these organizations are more aware of the local operating environment and are stakeholders in local development. The Sub PWG s various interventions target all educational levels: kindergarten (early childhood), primary, intermediate, secondary and higher education, plus adult literacy through Non Formal Education (NFE) activities Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

77 The geographic coverage of projects and activities varied from national to Governorate level; in some area based projects, coverage was even tapered to district or school level. Emphasis was given to remote and rural areas where attendance is low and dropout rates are high, especially for girls. The map illustrates the distribution of member agencies and NGOs across Iraq based on their activities; it also reflects the level of operational action by Governorate. Figure 8 9 Education Sub Priority Area Map 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

78 8.5.5 Results Figure 8 10 Education Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

79 Table 8 10 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Education Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome B1 01 Vocational Education Baghdad, Muthanna, Ninewa 100% 4.2 B1 05 In service Training for Teachers Nationwide 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 06 Strengthening Primary and Intermediate Education (Phase 1) Nationwide 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 08 Literacy and Life Skills Development Baghdad, Diyala, Muthanna 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 09 Education Facilities Rehabilitation Baghdad, Basra, Muthanna, Thi Qar B1 10 Iraq Networking Academy Project Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Ninewa B1 11 Rehabilitation of School Buildings in Lower South Iraq Baghdad, Basra, Muthanna, Thi Qar 100% % 4.1 & % 4.2 B1 12 Strengthening Primary and Intermediate Education (Phase 2) Nationwide 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 13 Education Management Information System (EMIS) Nationwide 100% 4.1 B1 14 Revitalization of Technical and Vocational Education (Phase 2) Baghdad, Anbar, Babil, Basra, Diyala, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Najaf, Qadissiya, Salah Eddin, Thi Qar, Wassit 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 15 Strengthening Secondary Education (Phase 1) Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Thi Qar B1 17 Iraq Networking Academy Project (Phase 2) Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Ninewa 100% 4.1 & % 4.1 & 4.2 B1 18 Textbooks Quality Improvement Programme II Nationwide 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 19 Integrated Community based project to Deliver Quality basis Social Services Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Missan, Thi Qar, Wassit 100% 4.2 B1 22 School Rehabilitation and Capacity Building (Phase 1) Baghdad, Babil, Basra, Dahuk, Diyala, Erbil, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Ninewa, Qadissiya, Salah Eddin, Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar, Wassit 100% 4.2 B1 23 Training of Trainers in Teacher Education for Sustained Quality Education B1 24 Provision of Learning Materials for All Primary Level Students in Iraq Baghdad, Anbar, Basra, Erbil 100% 4.1 & 4.2 Nationwide 100% Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

80 Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome B1 25 Strengthening School Health Services at Primary School Level through Implementation of the Health Promoting Schools Nationwide 100% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 26 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education for Iraq B1 28 Improving Quality and Relevance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Iraq B1 29 School Rehabilitation and Capacity Development for Enhanced Access and Retention in Primary Education Nationwide with focus on Baghdad, Basra, Ninewa, Najaf, Erbil Baghdad, Babil, Basra, Diyala, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Najaf, Ninewa, Qadissiya, Salah Eddin, Thi Qar, Wassit Missan, Anbar, Dahuk, Kirkuk, Muthanna, Najaf 100% 4.1 & % 4.1 & % 4.1 & 4.2 B1 31 Distance Learning Project Nationwide 100% 4.2 B1 32 Integrated Community based Services Project Basra Basra 100% 4.2 B1 33 Supporting the Efforts of GoI in Developing the Capacity of the Iraqi Education Sector through Enhancing the Learning Environment in Vulnerable Areas in Iraq for Meeting the EFA Goals Nationwide with focus on Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar and Salah Eddin 90% 4.1 & 4.2 B1 35 Comprehensive Assessment of Education Sector in Iraq B1 37 Modernizing Sulaimaniya Museum, Pilot for Museum Project Sector in Iraq Nationwide 47% 4.1 Sulaimaniya 80% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 4.1: The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. The final draft of the National Education Strategy has been developed as a result of the technical assistance and capacity building training provided by UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank. Capacity Building training targeted more than 60 senior MoEd and MoHESR staff. Concerning the enhancement of the Education Management Information System (EMIS), in addition to strengthening the capacity of programmers at MoEd in Baghdad and Erbil, the modified EMIS software has been developed and the data entry finalized. An Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Strategy in Education has been developed together with MoEd and relevant partners to promote the use of ICT in education. Capacity building training was provided to 1,500 trainees from the MoEd to develop their understanding of the main concepts of Information Technology, to make MoEd staff aware of common computer functions and operating systems and to prepare them for the online test for the International Computer Driving License (ICDL). Six ICDL training/testing centers accredited by the ICDL Gulf Cooperation Council Foundation have been established in Baghdad, Erbil, Najaf, Basra, and Ninewa. The centers provided online ICDL tests for MoEd staff; 80 percent successfully passed the exam on the first attempt Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

81 To ensure the completion of a comprehensive assessment of education in Iraq, a desk review was undertaken to determine the main gaps in available data; the knowledge gaps have been addressed in the development of national school and university based surveys. Questionnaires were distributed, according to the type of institutions to universities, vocational and technical schools and regular schools at the national level. In addition to capacity building of relevant public sector officials in the ministries of education and higher education in Baghdad and Erbil, staff members were trained in the use of statistics and planning in education. Within the context of an integrated gender mainstreaming and human rights strategy introduced at policy level and with awareness of the importance of scaling up girls and women s education promoted at the community level, guidelines on how to increase girls enrollment were drafted and circulated to all UN Agencies partners for their feedback and comments. The comments were incorporated, finalized and launched on International Women s Day, 8 March Outcome 4.2: The Government of Iraq has enabled more children and youth to access and complete quality basic, vocational, higher and non formal education. The construction of 25 new schools to replace very old mud schools created conducive learning and teaching environments for about 7,500 primary and intermediate level students and 2,250 out of school children in Sulaimaniya, Salah Eddin and Thi Qar. Within the school environments, the quality of schoolchildren s health improved by raising awareness among these 7,500 pupils of good sanitation and hygiene practices. Training courses on mental health first aid and psycho social support were provided to school health screening teams (doctors, nurses and teachers) and advocacy meetings were conducted for community leaders and parents. Children aged 6 to 12 years were provided with psycho social assistance and screened for visual and hearing difficulties and musculoskeletal abnormalities. More screening for nutritional status and early detection of nutritional problems among students at primary schools took place as part of the diet and physical activity project. Audiometer devices and Snellen Charts were procured for schools to aid in the visual examination of students and ensure sustainability of the screening services. Sanitation and Hygiene Practice in Schools. WHOIraq Data analysis of school health screening results and final reporting are in process. The future plan is to analyze the data and to provide eyeglasses and hearing aids to those with visual and hearing problems. New literacy curricula were completed in New literacy textbooks and three teacher s literacy guidebooks for Arabic language, mathematics and general culture have been developed and adopted by MoEd with technical assistance and support from the Education Sub PWG Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

82 Within the framework of the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE) for Iraq, national advocacy campaigns were launched in Events targeting more than 30,000 Iraqis throughout the Governorates were organized together with the MoEd and national NGOs. Teachers, families, politicians and representatives of local communities were involved in meetings, theatre representations and sport events to express their views about the development of a national literacy campaign in Iraq. During the events, 30,000 awareness raising materials were distributed, including posters and t shirts. Technical support was provided to Educational TV at the MoEd. More than 700 hours of external TV programs have been developed for the TV library. These will be broadcast and used in the production of new educational TV programs, films and series on scientific, educational and other topics. Students joining the Community Learning Centers for Literacy and Life Skills Training established in Sulaymaniya UNESCO Iraq As part of the Modernization of the Sulaimaniya Museum, an assessment of the Museum s educational programme was conducted to help address educational needs. Technical expertise was provided for the establishment of a new permanent exhibition (core exhibition and themes), including a storyline, themes and highlights. In addition to this, an educational programme for school children was finalized in cooperation with local authorities Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Sub Priority Area The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, other line ministries and the Education Sub Priority Working Groups (UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, UN HABITAT, ESCWA, ILO and UN Women) have worked closely together during the implementation of the project activities and coordinated their work in order to maximize synergies and prevent duplication of efforts. Additionally, the field of education has been supported by major contributions from the Agencies core fund, the Government of Japan, and Qatar Foundation International. Implemented projects focusing respectively on literacy, curriculum reform, higher education, teacher training, and TVET endeavor to provide an articulated response to the challenges of delivering access to quality education in Iraq. The NGO community has also been involved both through the implementation arrangements as well as through the Sub Priority Working Groups to fully support Education projects Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

83 8.6 Essential Social Services Priority Area Health and Nutrition Essential Social Services Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 11 Essential Social Services Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 4.1 Outcome 4.3 Outcome 4.6 The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. The Government of Iraq has enabled improved access to and utilization of quality Primary Health Care services for all people in Iraq. People in Iraq have improved food and nutrition security, and food safety Operating Context during the Reporting Period The political, social, cultural and economic environment surrounding the health system continued to influence the health sector and health services delivery to the population. The limited access to health services and water/sanitation due to security constraints, deterioration of the physical environment, increasing levels of poverty and social vulnerability has negatively impacted national health, leading to outcomes such as lower life expectancy at birth, prevalence of communicable (food and water borne) diseases, rising prevalence of non communicable diseases and malnutrition. Although the crude death rate (CDR) in Iraq has steadily declined over the last few years, life expectancy at birth is lower than in all neighboring countries. An increase in the crude birth rate (CBR) along with high fertility rates, resulting in population growth rates for Iraq, represents a challenge not only to the health system but also to economic and social development. On one hand chronic malnutrition and stunting are widespread (26 districts have pockets of vulnerable population groups with a prevalence of severe malnutrition); on the other obesity, statistics suggest, is one of the emerging public health problems (10 percent of children under the age of five years are obese or overweight). The recent national survey on non communicable diseases (NCDs) has shown alarming figures up to 25 percent for obesity in the adult population. The anemia prevalence is reported to be high (35 percent), reaching 39 percent among pregnant women. As a result of long economic stagnation and limited access to essential services, varying degrees of progress are reported against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In recent years, Iraq has started to make progress towards achieving some of the MDGs, i.e. reducing hunger, promoting gender equality and reducing child mortality, whereas much still needs to be done for the remaining MGDs. The political, economic, demographic and epidemiological development of a country impacts the health status of the population. Health outcomes, including life expectancy at birth, morbidity, disability and mortality are all sensitive to the levels and distributions of income, literacy, access to clean water and sanitation, and gender equality. Iraq is a middle income country, which suffers from widespread poverty and a silent humanitarian crisis. In addition, the general situation is characterized by geographic and ethnic disparities in wealth, literacy and access to water and sanitation. All of these are major contributors to the current low status of health indicators in the country Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

84 8.6.3 Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period Despite improvements, the security situation remains one of the main challenges in achieving the implementation as planned. The limited access of international staff to most of the areas in the country not only impedes the project implementation rates but also make it difficult to conduct adequate monitoring and supervision of activities. The political sphere is considered another primary challenge, especially because most of the datacollection activities were delayed or postponed as a result of political tensions or impacts. The limited availability of national expertise, coupled with rapid turnover of the limited expertise, is resulting in the slow implementation of activities as well as the lack of desired results. Centralized decision making in most of the processes causes unnecessary and long delays. For example, most capacity building and construction projects in the Health and Nutrition (HN) Sub Priority Working Group (Sub PWG) suffered long delays because of the centralized decision making at the Ministry of Health (MoH) level. Lack of functional intra as well inter sectoral coordination still remains one of the challenges during the reporting period. This causes delays in implementation of joint activities with other sectors Coverage/Counterparts Support for the Construction of the Basra Children s Hospital Lead by UNDP This project is being managed by UNDP and, in partnership of all stakeholders including the community, aims to improve access to quality tertiary, specialized pediatric health care services in Basra and southern regions of Iraq. The WHO s involvement in Basra Children s Hospital focuses on building capacity in different categories of hospital staff. Strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) System in Iraq (Phase ll) This project is a WHO UNICEF joint project that builds on previous achievements under the Strengthening of the Primary Health Care System (SPHCS) Phase I project in Iraq. The project is designed to contribute upstream at the national policy level and downstream at the health service delivery level. Its coverage is nationwide. HIV/AIDS Policy Support and Capacity Building Program (Preparatory Phase) This project is a joint UN project under the leadership of WHO and in partnership with UNESCO, WFP, UNFPA and UNDP. The National AIDS Control Program of the Ministry of Health (MoH) is the Iraqi implementing partner. The project s main goal is to enhance the national HIV/AIDS response through proper policy development, information generation and capacity building. It s main technical focus areas are the development of the National AIDS Strategic Plan, including a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework/plan and a surveillance plan, the upgrading of the surveillance system to address most at risk populations, and capacity building of national program officers and nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners. Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Iraq: Assessment and Responses This project, jointly implemented by WHO and UNICEF, is designed to build the capacity of MoH to more effectively manage existing nutritional interventions and to adequately plan, implement and monitor new prevention programs and evaluate their impact. Tools and systems for effective management, planning, monitoring and evaluation will be developed from local to central levels of the MoH. The implementation of the Micronutrient Assessment and Response (MNAR) survey will provide, for the first time, baseline data on micronutrient deficiencies in Iraq. The integration of nutritional data as a new component in the national diseases surveillance system and the Health Information System (HIS) will improve sustainability of national nutritional monitoring and response Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

85 Support for the GoI s National Measles and Polio Vaccination Campaign This joint WHO UNICEF project is designed to strengthen the capacity of the MoH for better monitoring routines and supplementary immunization activities. Health authorities and communities, especially in hard to reach and low coverage areas, are now more aware of the importance of measles, polio (OPV) and other infant vaccinations. The MoH has improved capacities for planning and implementing outreach immunization activities, for case based surveillance for measles and polio, and for assessing the burden of measles, rubella, tetanus and hepatitis B diseases. Support for Improving the Management and Safe Use of Medical Equipment This project is designed to provide assistance to MoH to promote sustainable changes and improvements in health care services. The project enhances the quality of health interventions and improves institutional skills and capabilities by focusing on building a coherent medical equipment management system guided by sound policies and good management practices. The programme is being implemented in the following Governorates: Anbar, Diwaniyah, Kerbela, Salah Eddin, Suleimaniyah and Thi Qar, but some of the capacity building activities have nationwide coverage. Iraqi Women Integrated Social and Health (I WISH) Survey This project, a joint effort between lead organization UNFPA, the WHO and the Arab league Pan Arab Project for Family Health (PAPFAM), aims at carrying out a field survey on women s health and social status. The survey builds on previous surveys and provides a set of complementary data. It also builds on the existing statistics compiled by national entities and other UN organizations. It focuses on women s life cycle (12 years and above) and emphasizes the social and health status information needed to formulate, design and monitor development, health, social programs and policies in Iraq and to build the regional women s social status and health and reproductive health data bank. In particular, the I WISH project focuses on health status, access to health and social services, the role of health centers in addressing the health and social service needs of women and other related topics. This project has nationwide coverage and a strong partnership with the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) and Kurdistan Regional Statistics Office (KRSO), MoH and other line ministries at Federal and KRG level. Support for the GoI s Multiple Cluster Survey No. 4 (MICS4) The purpose of this project is to support the Government of Iraq (GoI) in conducting the fourth Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS4). The survey will augment the ability of the GoI, UNCT, donors and other development partners to plan strategically interventions related to reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the priorities of the National Development Plan ( ), the United Nations Development Assistance Framework ( ), and the goals of the World Fit for Children. It has nationwide coverage. Pilot Assessment of Congenital Birth Defects (CBD) in Six Governorates in Iraq The WHO, the lead Agency for this project, worked closely with the MoH and the MoP/CSO in the development of the study protocol and tools. The pilot assessment was facilitated by technical expertise from WHO and representatives from MoH, MoP/CSO and other line ministries and health professionals from the central, Governorate and district levels this collaboration directly increases levels of capacity building and long term sustainability. The CBD survey will be implemented at the household level in 18 districts in eight Governorates Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

86 Figure 8 11 Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Map Results Figure 8 12 Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

87 Table 8 12 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Health and Nutrition Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome D2 02 Emergency Obstetric Care Baghdad, Babil, Anbar, Basra, Dahuk, Diyala, Erbil, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Ninewa, Qadissiya, Salah Eddin, Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar, Wassit 100% 4.3 D2 03 Supporting Primary Health Care System Nationwide 100% 4.3 D2 04 Re establishing the National Drug Quality Control Laboratory Nationwide 100% 4.3 D2 05 Non communicable Diseases and Mental Health Nationwide 100% 4.3 D2 06 Strengthening Immunization Services in Iraq Nationwide 100% 4.3 D2 07 Improving Preparedness and Response to an Impending Cholera Outbreak D2 09 Malaria and Leishmania Control and Prevention Emergency Program Nationwide 100% 4.3 Nationwide 100% 4.3 D2 11 Provision of Emergency Medical Oxygen Supply in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk D2 14 Assistance to Primary School Children and Vulnerable Groups D2 15 Strengthening Medical Equipment Management and Maintenance Systems Across Iraq Nationwide with focus on Baghdad, Basra, Ninewa, Kirkuk, and Qadissiya Baghdad, Babil, Anbar, Basra, Dahuk, Diyala, Erbil, Kerbela, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Ninewa, Qadissiya, Salah Eddin, Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar, Wassit Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Ninewa 100% % % 4.3 D2 16 Strengthening Immunization Services in Iraq (Phase 2) Nationwide 100% 4.3 D2 17 Rebuilding Food Safety and Food Processing Industry Capacity Nationwide 100% 4.3, 4.6 D2 18 Avian and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Control Nationwide with focus on Muthanna, Thi Qar, Basra, and Kirkuk 100% 4.3 D2 19 Disease Eradication: Elimination and Introducing New Vaccines D2 20 Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Program D2 21 Support for the Construction of the Basra Children s Hospital Nationwide 100% 4.3 Nationwide 100% 4.3 Basra 93% Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

88 Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome D2 24 Cholera Outbreak, Early Detection and Mortality Reduction D2 25 Strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) System in Iraq (Phase ll) D2 26 HIV/AIDS Policy Support and Capacity Building Program (Preparatory Phase) D2 27 Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Iraq: Assessment and Responses D2 28 Support for the GoI s National Measles and Polio Vaccination Campaign Nationwide 100% 4.3 Nationwide 92% 4.3 Nationwide 86% 4.3 Nationwide 85% 4.3,4.6 Nationwide 98% 4.3 D2 29 Support for Improving the Management and Safe Use of Medical Equipment Nationwide with focus on Anbar, Qadissiya, Kerbala, Salah Eddin, Sulaimaniya, and Thi Qar 69% 4.3 D2 30 Iraqi Women Integrated Social and Health (I WISH) Survey D2 32 Support for the GoI s Multiple Cluster Survey No. 4 (MICS4) Nationwide 65% 4.1, 4.3 Nationwide 52% 4.3, 4.6 D2 33 Pilot Assessment of Congenital Birth Defects in Six Governorates in Iraq Baghdad, Anbar, Basra, Diyala, Sulaimaniya, Thi Qar 51% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results The partners in the health and Nutrition (HN) Sub PWG continued their work to achieve the project outputs as planned. Sixteen of 25 total projects were 100 percent completed; progress on the remaining nine is reported to be on track. Most of the remaining projects are more than 80 percent implemented with three of the projects approaching 100 percent completion. The projects of HN Sub PWG have enhanced community access to quality health care through the construction of Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and a hospital for specialized care, and through the capacity development of the health care work force to diagnose and treat illness in a timely way to reduce suffering. Support for the vaccination program has contributed towards keeping the number of measles cases low and maintaining a polio free status. Achievements in various health projects are detailed, below. Outcome 4.1: The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. Under the Iraqi Women Integrated Social and Health (I WISH) survey project, the UNFPA collected data on the percentage of pregnant women with anemia. The data analysis and quality assurance process is complete Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

89 Outcome 4.3: The Government of Iraq has enabled improved access to and utilization of quality Primary Health Care services for all people in Iraq. The following achievements have been made in areas of strategic importance supported by the Primary Health Care (PHC) (Phase II) project, which will pave the way for the successful reform of the health system based on the principles of PHC and will establish a successful model of health services delivery which will respond to the health care needs of the Iraqi population in an effective and sustainable manner. Development and Implementation of the Basic Health Services Package (BHSP) The MoH, with the technical support of WHO, developed the Basic Health Services Package (BHSP); the BHSP is defined as a minimum collection of essential health services to which all members of the population need to have guaranteed access. Implementation of the BHSP was initiated through improving the performance of the Integrated District Health System based on Family Practice Approach (IDHS FPA), which is a new WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region initiative adopted by the MoH in Iraq and introduced as a pilot in four districts in the country, including Baghdad, Kirkuk, Missan and Erbil Governorates. In order to set the baseline for this initiative, the WHO Iraq Country Office in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office developed Assessment Guidelines and Tools. In order to contribute to the already ongoing efforts, WHO, with the support of this project, rehabilitated four PHC centers and fully equipped five PHC centers. These centers are located in Basra, Baghdad (Al Karkh and Al Rasafa), Mosul and Kerbela. The five facilities will be able to establish a successful model of healthservices delivery by implementing BHSP based on the IDHS with focus on Family Practice Approach. Based on the needs assessment mentioned earlier, the five facilities were fully equipped with medical and non medical equipment. Mental Health Mental illness is particularly important because its burden is often underestimated. It remains a stigma and has detrimental effects on the person and society. According to the Iraq Mental Health Survey (2007), although 35 percent of Iraqi people are suffering from distress and 16 percent had at least one mental illness during their life span, mental services are provided to only 2.2 percent of mentally ill people. A publication relating to the A Basic Health Service Package for Iraq (BHSP) project. Number of MoH staff trained on the Integration of Mental Health into PHC classified by Governorate and gender Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

90 Improving the skills of PHC health workers to provide proper mental health services for needy people was the ultimate goal of this project. As shown in Graph TK, a total of 57 National Training Activities (NTAs) for general practitioners and nurses at the primary health care level has been conducted successfully three four day NTAs for each directorate of health. A total of 1,685 health professionals have been trained, out of which 1,218 were male and 467 were female. These trainings covered all 19 Governorates, with an average participation of trainees in each session, and will make sure that mental health services are provided under the umbrella approach of primary health care. Strengthening of Human Resources for Health (HRH) The WHO assisted the MoH in strengthening its capacity to precisely plan, deploy, retain and train the right number and right mix of human resources according to forecasted needs. A comprehensive Human Resources for Health HRH) assessment was conducted to determine shortcomings in the system and also to provide evidencebased inputs for the development of the National HRH strategic plan. Strengthening of the Health Information System Reliable and timely data is essential to delivering public health services. Over the past few years, Iraq invested significantly in a Health Information System (HIS) through the acquisition of hardware and software equipment and technical expertise. However, ad hoc and fragmented efforts to revamp the various components of HIS have had little tangible effects especially on the quality of information that could adequately support evidence based health care planning and decision making. In order to identify the shortcomings of the system, a thorough assessment of the health information system for Iraq took place in Baghdad. The final report was endorsed by the Minister of Health. This report will be used as a basis for the development of the national HIS strategic plan. It is worth mentioning that the report calls for identifying the pressing needs and implementing the most effective interventions to reform and strengthen the HIS and to prioritize and streamline the inflow of resources into the health care system. The assessment report concluded that the NHIS in Iraq was assessed as adequate (62 percent). This score is interpreted as a weak NHIS. Strengthening Health Care Financing Rehabilitation and expansion of Bab Al Mouadham PHC Baghdad/Al Rusafa The first Iraq National Health Account (NHA) report has been published. The NHA is a powerful analytical tool used to assess the health care financing function in the health system. The NHA will lay solid foundations for the GoI to manage and sustain scarce resources in the health sector and to provide basic information related to health financing needed to develop health care financing policies. The findings and conclusions of the NHA account analysis will have a great impact on shaping policy reforms in the field of health financing in Iraq. Moreover, an expenditure review for basic health services in Iraq was conducted, which contributed to the analysis of the financing situation in Iraq and was used in the NHA analysis and diagnostic work under the Iraq public sector modernization project. An assessment of Basra Children s Hospital was conducted by the WHO, which looked at the physical structure and identified needs and gaps in health services staffing and training. The objective was to prepare the hospital for 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

91 eventual Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Major gaps were identified in the physical planning, operational planning, and human resource competencies at various levels of the institution. WHO and its partners are working on an evidence based capacity building plan in accordance with international standards. The following draft manuals were prepared: Infection Control Manual, Quality Control Unit Manual and Manual for Continuing Health Education. Also, 12 biomedical equipment professionals (10 males and 2 females) were trained overseas for three weeks on the maintenance and management of a broad range of biomedical equipment. The project output was already 100 percent achieved in terms of construction and equipping the hospital, and handing it over to MoH. As part of the effort to strengthen the PHC system in Iraq, 11 PHC centers (PHCCs) were completed and handed over to the MoH and the Directorate of Health Services (DoHS). One site is 66 percent complete; the remaining two sites (Babel and Basra) are delayed due to land ownership and soil testing issues. These were cancelled by the MoH; stakeholders are committed to constructing these PHCCs with their own resources and have requested UNICEF use the remaining balance to: a) Train different levels of medical and paramedical staff on proper primary health care interventions (i.e. immunization, management of diarrhea and malnutrition, etc.). b) Initiate the exchange of technical information on health program planning and management with international institutions. c) Support the MoH in conducting job training and focused monitoring and supervision at the peripheral level. d) Increase use of available services through targeted social mobilization activities. Two model designs for the new PHCCs and staff residence have been developed in consultation with MoH engineers. The HIV/AIDS Policy Support and Capacity Building Program worked with its partners to complete the following: HIV/AIDS epidemiological, situation and response analysis has been conducted in consultation with the National AIDS Control Program (NAP), and served as a point of departure during a national workshop for the development of the National HIV/AIDS Control Strategic Plan which was held with broad participation of stakeholders, including different ministries, NGOs and UN Agencies. The workshop was facilitated by an international expert and received further facilitation support from WHO and UNAIDS. The results of the workshop were documented and a Work Group was selected to continue the work together with the consultant. The WG and the consultant are drafting the strategy plan. Further meetings for the WG with the consultant are planned to finalize the M&E plan, the operational plan and the budgeting of the strategy. The technical work on this project component was carried out by WHO; UNDP organized the logistics of the workshop. The pre surveillance assessment on injecting drug users (IDUs) and prisoners has concluded its second phase of conducting interviews with secondary key informants in prisons and other identified high risk communities. The preparations for conducting the final stage of interviewing primary informants are ongoing. The findings of the pre surveillance assessments among injecting drug users and prisoners will be informing the national HIV strategy development. This assessment was carried out with the support of WHO and a specialized HIV/AIDS research center (WHO Collaborating Center) in Zagreb, Croatia. UNESCO concluded all project activities related to the national training of NGOs and NAP officers on inschool youth programming. It also completed the Study Tour and Training on the Integration of HIV/AIDS into Education Programming for Youth with the participation of 17 officials from the Ministry of Education (Erbil and Baghdad), managers from literacy centers and representatives from several Iraqi NGOs Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

92 WFP also concluded national training of women s organizations on HIV and gender. WFP developed training materials and conducted training workshops in February 2011 for NGOs and national officers on HIV integration in humanitarian response. To support the GoI in the Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Iraq project, the WHO supported the following activities in capacity building, procurement of supplies and equipment, fieldwork implementation and data entry and analysis: The WHO in coordination with the MoH conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on the Micronutrient Assessment and Response (MNAR) survey in January The objectives of the training were to train survey teams on survey design and methodology, data collection and standardizing laboratory staff. The workshop was facilitated by the Survey Steering Committee and Survey technical team, CDC consultants and WHO and UNICEF technical staff in Iraq. The procurement of supplies and equipment worth $326,000, including cold chain supplies and laboratory tests and solutions for the MNAR survey. Three training workshops held in Erbil, Iraq on the training of the teams involved in the implementation of the MNAR survey, as follows: In November 2011, trained 38 central and local supervisors from all Governorates in Iraq on the supervision of the interviewers at each Governorate; In November 2011, trained 65 interviewers and statisticians from the MoH, MoP/CSO and KRSO on the three questionnaires (household, women and children); In November 2011, trained of 63 laboratory technicians and phlebotomists from the MoH and DoH from all Governorates on the collection of blood and urine from the respondents (women and children). Implemented the MNAR survey for 30 working days (24 December 2011 to 25 January 2012) in all Governorates in Iraq. Provided technical support to the MoH jointly with UNICEF to develop the National Nutrition Strategy in Erbil on July The WHO organized a six day training course from 16 April 2011 to 21 April 2011 for 15 trainees from the MoH and the MoP in Baghdad and Kurdistan on Electronic Data Processing (EDP) using CSPro 4.0 Data Entry and Tabulation Package. Supported research work at the National Research Institute (NRI) on the nutritional status of women and children under five years of age. UNICEF supported the social mobilization and advocacy activities, including the communications media campaign and the development of media health education and promotion materials needed for the MNAR survey. UNICEF procured 14 metric tons of therapeutic spread sachets for the management of sever acute malnutrition in nutrition rehabilitation units in hospitals. UNICEF supported the participation of two key officials from the Ministry of Trade (MoT) in the workshop on harmonization of maize and wheat flour fortification in Amman which was arranged by the regional office of the WHO Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

93 To Support the GoI s National Measles and Polio Vaccination Campaign, the WHO and UNICEF supported social mobilization activities in the targeted districts as well as nationwide, and measles and polio campaigns and Reach Every District (RED) approach implementation in the 19 districts with a less than 80 percent coverage rate. Related materials/tools development and distribution is ongoing. UNICEF and the WHO supported the social mobilization activities for: a) Four rounds of Polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) targeting 5.4 million children under five years of age across the country, with a more than 90 percent national coverage rate achieved. b) Measles NIDs for children 6 to 36 months in age, with a more than 92 percent national coverage rate achieved. This intensive work resulted in maintaining the polio free status Iraq has had since January 2000 and preventing additional measles outbreaks (the more than 32,000 reported cases in 2009 was reduced to fewer than 1000 cases in 2010). Support for the GoI helped it improve its Management and Safe Use of Medical Equipment by conducting interventions aimed at implementing a systematic approach to managing medical equipment service activities in Iraq that are vital to ensuring the quality of provided healthcare and to improving the health of populations, an important outcome of the project. This photo is from the fieldwork implementation of MNAR survey showing the phlebotomist withdrawing a blood sample from a child under five years old within the targeted sample at the household level. The interventions addressed the following areas: Putting a system in place that ensures that all risks associated with the acquisition, use, maintenance, decommissioning and disposal of medical devices are minimized. Support for good record keeping as an essential element in the effective management of medical equipment. Maintaining and calibrating medical equipment, registering assets, supporting writing specifications to ensure that the correct items are being purchased, and safely disposing of medical equipment. Looking into every activity where medical equipment is used and understanding how to care for the equipment; making sure that the equipment is appropriate and safe for its intended use. Creating a common understanding throughout all of the activities of what it means to manage medical equipment. This was done by reviewing and writing guidelines and standards. Construction work for one middle scale biomedical equipment maintenance workshop in Thi Qar, worth $231,837, has started; two small scale constructions in Anbar and Kerbela are in the final stage of contracting. Supported the demands of maintenance departments in targeted DoHs to: Provide $333,377 worth of biomedical test/calibration instrument sets to the six targeted end users. The test instruments are tools to ensure accurate measurements and functioning of medical equipment at healthcare facilities. Conduct 12 refresher and advanced training courses as well as Training of Trainers workshops. In total, 241 medical equipment engineers and technicians (203 male and 38 female) were trained by attending international and national training courses in the area of medical equipment management as well as maintenance (corrective and preventive) of a broad range of medical equipment Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

94 The UNFPA supported the Iraqi Women Integrated Social and Health (I WISH) survey, technically and financially, through the following activities in collaboration with the WHO and the Pan Arab Project for Family Health (PAPFAM): Developed a draft of the survey questionnaire in a meeting organized by UNFPA on January 2011 and attended by CSO/KRSO staff, WHO and PAPFAM. A number of regional consultants attended the meeting, as well. The final draft was endorsed by counterparts in workshop in Erbil on Feb Developed the fieldwork schedule/time frame and budget by the end of March Carried out the data collection stage by the end of June Finalized the data entry stage by the end of August Completed the data processing stages by the end of September 2011 and finalized them by November Completed data cleaning, weighting and quality assurance by December By the end of December 2011, the data was ready to be disseminated. The project of supporting the GoI s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey No. 4 (MICS4) consists of three phases: planning, implementation, and dissemination and advocacy. At the end of December 2011 all the activities in the planning and implementation phases were completed, and relevant partners had increased in their capacity to develop, design and implement large surveys such as MICS4, and to obtain quality household data. The partners success in developing, designing and implementing MICS4 in Iraq was acknowledged by the international survey experts and the MICS Global Team that met in a workshop in Belgrade, Serbia, in November UNICEF is currently supporting CSO and KRSO to finalize the data analysis, prepare the reports and disseminate them to ensure access, for policy makers and planners, to the information on the status and needs of children and women across the country. The first draft of the Preliminary Findings Report is completed and under discussion with partners. To complete the pilot assessment of congenital birth defects in Iraq, the WHO in Iraq teamed with experts from WHO HQ, a consultant from WHO collaborating center in Rome and a professor of community genetics from University College London, who reviewed and finalized the first draft of the Congenital Birth Defects (CBD) survey protocol and questionnaire. The MoH, in collaboration with the WHO, organized the second Technical Consultation Meeting on the project Pilot Assessment of Congenital Birth Defects (CBD) in Six Governorates in Iraq in Erbil in July During the three days meeting, the study questionnaire was reviewed and updated, the sampling theme for the study including the sample size and methodology were discussed. The result was a work plan that details the logistical and financial resources and the time frame for key activities, and a social mobilization plan for conducting the CBD survey. The MoH and the WHO organized the project s third Technical Consultation Meeting in December The meeting was attended by seven members of the CBD project steering committee (PSC) from MoH (Federal and KRG), CSO and MoHESR, and the WHO CBD Program manager. The meeting was facilitated by the WHO Regional Advisor/EST. During the meeting, the PSC reviewed and updated the study questionnaire, discussed the sampling frame for the study including the sample size and methodology and came out with a work plan for CBD survey implementation for the period 1 January through 31 July 2012 that includes a budget and time line for key activities such as finalizing the sampling frame in the eight selected Governorates and 18 districts and conducting three training course for 75 participants from central Lab technicians on the surveillance of diseases: Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalic virus and Herpes (TORCH) Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

95 Outcome 4.6: People in Iraq have improved food and nutrition security, and food safety. To support the GoI in addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Iraq, UNICEF supported the following activities: Procurement of 3,900 iodine salt testing kits to MoH Baghdad to improve quality control of salt available on the market as well as in households. (UNICEF) Support for a Vitamin A prevalence study for children under five years old, and pregnant and lactating women. The emergency provision of 50 million ferrous folic acid tablets for MoH/Baghdad for the prevention and treatment of anemia in pregnant and lactating women. In country workshop courses on the use and application of a broad range of medical equipment. Procurement of Retinol 100,000IU and 200,000IU soft gel caps for MoH/NRI for distribution with routine immunization for children under five years old and for lactating women. Procurement of 20 Spectrophotometers devices for the labs of MoT for better monitoring wheat flour fortification. Procurement of 4,000 salt testing kits for monitoring and supervising the salt iodization programme. Procurement of 14 metric tons of therapeutic spread sachets for the management of severe or acute malnutrition in nutrition rehabilitation units in hospitals. The nutrition related part of the MICS was covered under Outcome 4.6. Data was collected for indicators such as prevalence of underweight, under nourished, food insecurity, etc. UNICEF is currently supporting the CSO and the KRSO to finalize the data analysis, and prepare and disseminate the reports to ensure access, by policy makers and planners, to the information on the status and needs of children and women across the country. The first draft of the Preliminary Findings Report is completed and under discussion with partners. Staff training on the management and safe use of medical equipment Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area The MoH at central, Governorate and district level remains the main implementing partner in various Health and Nutrition Priority Working Group projects. Other Ministries such as the MoEn, MoHSR, MoEd, MoWA, MoA and MoIM also contributed to the projects. H & N PWG, member UN Agencies, INGOs/NGOs also contributed to programme implementation in the context of the UNDAF. Many projects from other PWGs such as Governance, Inclusive Economic Growth, Essential Social Services and Environment contributed to the health outcomes. For example, projects undertaken in the Water and Sanitation Sub Priority Area contribute to reducing the disease burden due to waterborne and communicable diseases. National and international NGOs, Red Cross/Red Crescent movements, private contractors, volunteers, and consultants from various national medical and nursing schools continue to be key partners in reaching the objectives of the Health and Nutrition PWG. It should be noted also that bilateral funds from various donors (Australia, the European Union, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, USAID, Agencies core funding, etc.) have been used to address needs in the health sector, including strengthening emergency medical services, blood safety, disaster risk reduction and improving access to essential safe quality medicines. These were critical to the work coordinated through the Health and Nutrition Sub Priority Area Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

96 8.7 Essential Social Services Priority Area Housing Essential Social Services Housing Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 13 Essential Social Services Sub Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 4.1 Outcome 4.5 The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. People in Iraq are provided with access to adequate housing in line with international standards Operating Context during the Reporting Period Traditionally, housing in Iraq has been provided through government provision of housing units or land upon which owners build housing through small private contractors. Wars, sanctions, the Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs) crisis and regime changes have restricted significantly the capacity of government to deliver housing over the last 25 years; currently Iraq requires 2 million houses by The National Housing Policy prepared by the Ministry of Construction and Housing (MoCH) with the assistance of UN HABITAT in 2010 recognizes that the traditional approach to housing delivery cannot be sustained and will not get near Iraq s housing target; it addresses key bottlenecks in housing delivery, including access to land, access to housing finance, access to infrastructure and the under developed commercial construction sector. The housing policy sets out a number of legislative/institutional reforms and technical actions to create an enabling environment for the private sector, community and households to engage more significantly in housing delivery in order to meet Iraq s deficit, and also includes policies to address informal settlements which have exploded in urban areas since 2003 due to weak urban governance and the crisis of displacement is the first year of implementing the National Housing Policy and coincides with the appointment of a new Minister for housing. The new Minister is pragmatic and keen for results, and has requested a $2 billion fund from the Government of Iraq (GoI) for the development of economic housing and a billion dollar fund to expand the National Housing Fund. Such action recognizes that while reforms defined in policy are needed to build the private sector and improve the enabling environment for housing, government provision of housing is still needed to address housing needs in the short term and to complement the policy implementation process. The UN therefore has a parallel approach of supporting reforms while advocating for government housing support to be oriented to the most vulnerable, including IDPs, in order to address critical humanitarian needs and in order to avoid distorting the housing market that should address middle income housing through the private sector without government subsidies. One of the Housing Sub Priority Working Group (Sub PWG) s common priorities is addressing shelter needs of IDPs. In this regard the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) prepared a comprehensive plan for dealing with displacement which is being supported by UNHCR, UN HABITAT and members of the PWG, and complemented by MoDM s strategy for long term shelter for people affected by displacement which was prepared with UN HABITAT s support. The actions of the MoCH and the MoDM indicate keenness amongst ministries to address the housing needs of the most vulnerable. That said, political tensions surrounding the election and continuing in various degrees throughout 2011 created a difficult environment in which to undertake reforms as needed in the housing sector particularly as such reforms involve consensus amongst a range of ministries that are linked to the housing sector (the MoCH, Ministry of Municipalities and Public Work (MoMPW), Ministry of Planning (MoP), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and MoDM), and to politically sensitive reforms such as those that deal with land Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

97 There has been limited action from government to make land systematically available to the private sector for housing as ministries continue to hold on to surplus state land under their custody. MoMPW was able, however, to prepare an inventory of lands that could be allocated for housing use this was passed on to MoDM, which is interested in finding land on which to resettle IDPs. In regard to increased private sector investment in housing, GoI has been undertaking negotiations with foreign companies to invest in housing through the National Investment Commission in collaboration with the MoCH. The response at this stage is unclear; ongoing security concerns and a murky legal framework still serve as disincentives to private investment in the housing sector. The security situation in Iraq remained volatile during 2011, although the overall number of security incidents has continued to decline since The security situation in Kurdistan remained much more permissive than in the rest of the country. The general security situation still affects the ability of the UN to actively implement and monitor housing projects in the field, and even in Erbil a UN HABITAT consultant was directly threatened by an armed man. Electricity supplies are unreliable, with the public network able to supply on average only eight hours of power to Iraqi households per day. This also has an impact also on local manufacturing of building materials which are essential in reducing building costs and improving employment in the construction sector. There is a high level of unemployment (23 percent in 2011), particularly among youth. At 30 percent, the youth unemployment rate is double the national unemployment average of 15 percent. The housing sector offers the potential to create youth employment, particularly if labour intensive methods are incorporated. The UN should continue to advocate to the National Investment Company (NIC) and MoCH for commitments from international investors in housing to employ Iraqi nationals (as opposed to the trend of importing foreign labor). Vocational training in the construction industry should accordingly be strengthened; in this regard the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHSR) Foundation for Technical Education (FTE) has been supported by UN HABITAT in preparing modules and undertaking training in construction skills for unemployed youth Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period The main constraint facing the achievement of most of the PWG s outputs is the incomplete mobilization of funding for technical assistance. The slow process of land allocation has also impeded the delivery of new housing for IDPs. Nevertheless, shelter improvements in existing urban settlement environments and reconstruction on owners land has continued without such constraints. A delay occurred in the training activities on urban settlements in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) region. This training is based on lessons learned in pilot initiatives which are not fully realized due to a series of delays on the pilot project outside UN control, including a lengthy process to resolve issues of illegal occupation of private land and threats by the community on UN staff, which limited engagement at the community for a number of months. Delays in the provision of infrastructure by government and in selecting beneficiaries is a significant challenge in handing over completed houses to beneficiary families Coverage/Counterparts During the year 2011, basic housing was provided by UN HABITAT for IDPs in Erbil, Hilla, Wassit, and Thi Qar; the main partner was MoDM. UN HABITAT prepared, with MoDM, a national level strategy for long term shelter solutions for people affected by displacement. UN HABITAT also worked with MoCH on an evaluation of housing policies and strategies, a capacity assessment of institutions in the housing sector and the housing policy implementation plan, which has national reach. UN HABITAT worked with the KRG MoCH and the three KRG 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

98 Governorates on a KRG housing strategy. In partnership with the Erbil Governorate and the KRG MoMT, UN HABITAT and UNDP are undertaking pilot projects in settlement upgrading. Partnerships continued with local elected councils in the various project Governorates, which are being increasingly involved in all aspects of project planning and implementation. Although not with UNDG ITF funding, UNHCR and IOM continued their existing partnerships with local NGOs for activities related to protection, displacement and returns, monitoring and distribution of non food items, and shelter support for displaced households. UN HABITAT in partnership with MoDM, and in collaboration with the MoCH, MoMPW and the Baghdad Provincial Council, started a new project for initiating durable solutions for IDPs and returnees. This project addresses the issue of displaced people living informally on government land in Baghdad by establishing a practical framework in consensus with key ministries and institutions, and piloting projects in settlements upgrading and resettlement. Figure 8 13 Housing Sub Priority Area Map 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

99 8.7.5 Results Figure 8 14 Housing Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status Table 8 14 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Housing Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome E4 04 Strengthening Capacity of Housing Sector Nationwide 100% 4.5 E4 11 Strengthening Urban Sector through Building Capacities in Municipal Planning and Management E4 14 Rehabilitation of Community Facilities and Infrastructure Nationwide with focus on Erbil and Basra Baghdad, Najaf, Basra, Muthanna, Erbil 100% % 4.5 E4 16 Strengthening Capacity of Housing Sector (Phase II) Nationwide with focus on Erbil, Babil, Najaf 100% 4.5 E4 18 Improving the Housing Delivery System in Erbil Erbil 74% 4.5 E4 20 Strengthening the Capacity of the Housing Sector in Iraq: Bridging for Phase III Nationwide 67% 4.5 F8 06 Improving Access for IDPs and Returnees to Acceptable Shelter Solutions Baghdad, Babil, Najaf, Thi Qar, Wassit, Kerbela, Erbil 100% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 4.1: The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. UN HABITAT has drafted, under the Improving the Housing Delivery System in Erbil project, the KRG Housing Strategy, MoCH Housing Policy Implementation Plan, Evaluation of National Housing Policy and Strategies and Housing Sector Institutional Needs Assessment; all the drafts are being reviewed by government counterparts. As for UNDP, it has drafted a study on commercial housing finance, in order to ascertain the interest of commercial banks in investing in the housing sector and identifying a roadmap in order to do so Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

100 In the Improving Access for IDPs and Returnees to Acceptable Shelter Solutions project UN HABITAT has supported MoMD and other institutions in the development of a long term shelter strategy for people affected by displacement. Outcome 4.5: People in Iraq are provided with access to adequate housing in line with international standards. UN HABITAT has achieved the following under Improving the Housing Delivery System in Erbil project: Completed neighborhood master plans for two informal settlements in Erbil through community consultative processes. Supported Erbil Governorate in planning a resettlement site and preparing tenders for site construction construction is now complete through Erbil Municipality funding. Supported negotiation between Erbil Governorate, informal residents on private land (more than 250 families) and private land owners in order for residents to jointly purchase their plots Laying infrastructure pipes for the relocation site in Gird Jutyar /Erbil at a negotiated price and obtain title documents. Supported Erbil Governorate in identifying adequate compensation and eviction procedures in order to move almost 400 families living informally on government land to the resettlement site, and acquire land title and construction loans on the resettlement site. (96 percent moved voluntarily). Undertook community assessments, plans and calculations for setbacks of houses in order to upgrade streets and provide services. Supported Erbil municipality in the preparation of tender documents for upgrading streets and providing services. At the same time, under Improving the Housing Delivery System in Erbil project the UNDP has: Prepared an Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) with Bright Future Foundation (BFF) in order to provide grants to households to support the costs of set backs from the road. BFF is expected to provide its own loan capital for environmentally friendly house improvements through a self help approach. Sponsored four national consultants that supported the preparation of technical documents related to UN HABITAT outputs above. Meeting in Amman for the Baghdad IDP project Consensus building workshop with government stakeholders, international experts, and other international players in the sector Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

101 Through the Improving Access for IDPs and Returnees to Acceptable Shelter Solutions project UN HABITAT has completed the construction of 297 houses in Erbil, Wassit, Thi Qar and Hilla. Beneficiary selection and the provision of infrastructure by Government is well advanced in Erbil Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area During 2011, UNHCR rehabilitated existing houses and shelters and built new shelters in the northern, central and southern areas of Iraq. Completed shelters total 3,840 (1,223 in the north, 1,920 in the center, and 697 in the south) and more than 650 additional shelters are under construction (205 in the center and 447 in the south). IOM has undertaken displacement monitoring and needs assessments in 18 Governorates and has identified 520,253 IDPs and 168,632 returnees. Field teams performed interviews of a sample of identified vulnerable families, totaling 36,074 IDPs and 9,746 returnees. Through these interviews IOM monitors collected detailed information on the needs, intentions, displacement histories and socio economic backgrounds of IDPs and returnees, information that will be analyzed and published for use by governments, humanitarian agencies, media and academia. Reports published in the last year include assessments of female headed households, a review of displacement and return, and assessments of displaced minorities. In addition to the published reports, IOM field monitors regularly share information with local governmental and nongovernmental counterparts, helping to bring attention to important issues facing IDPs and returnees in communities throughout the country and with MoDM. International Relief and Development (IRD) has rehabilitated 764 houses for IDPs and returnees in Baghdad, Babil and Anbar, benefiting 7,985 individuals. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) operates in informal settlements and IDP camps throughout Baghdad (Al Kharkh, Al Rashid, Karrada and Adamiya, 9 Nissan (Al Rasafa), and Khadamiyah). Activities include: Settlement Monitoring and Assessment (Physical and social conditions of settlements; effectiveness and efficiency of current referral mechanisms; current degree of engagement at the community level in project design and implementation; effectiveness of existing self management structures; relevance and quality of service providers to improving conditions; the level of engagement and response from the authorities to advocacy efforts conducted by UN and NGOs, and coordinated by UNHCR). Capacity building settlement representatives on Self Representation and Self Governance Structures. Establishing and supporting Management Committees and Women s Committees within settlements. Initiating District Council and IDP Settlement Coordination Mechanisms. Reporting on IDP Needs and Protection Gaps Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

102 8.8 Essential Social Services Priority Area Food Security Essential Social Services Food Security Sub Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 15 Essential Social Services Food Security Sub Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 4.1 Outcome 4.6 The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. People in Iraq have improved food and nutrition security and food safety Operating Context during the Reporting Period The Food Security Sub Priority Working Group is working towards attaining food security as a contributor to household health and income generation that can support access to education and improved living conditions. Therefore, the interventions under this Sub Priority Area are strongly linked with those related to inclusive economic growth under United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Priority 2 and the development of human capital as identified in UNDAF Priority 5. Primarily, the work is directed at rehabilitating and developing the agricultural sector in Iraq through a comprehensive field level strategy and programmatic implementation interventions that target all related fields. Food security remains an important focus of this Sub Priority Working Group (Sub PWG). The agricultural sector in the country still requires a wide range of interventions, including the improvement of food security, which in turn includes work on many fronts such as food acquisition and use, productivity/output improvements, control of zoonotic and trans boundary diseases, agro industrial revitalization, marshland and fisheries restoration, food quality and food safety standardization, irrigation systems and water management, livelihood recovery, and capacity building for more effective agricultural planning and development. These interventions require a considerable amount of funding to realize the planned goals and objectives. The limited availability of technical and human resources on the ground compounds the adverse effects that years of conflict and budgetary neglect have had on core agricultural infrastructure assets of the country. These factors have led to a dramatic deterioration of agricultural production and the agro industrial sector. Food insecurity is also a much larger problem in rural areas of Iraq than in urban areas. The Iraqi dependence on low cost imported food heavily affects agricultural production by limiting Iraqi producers from participating in local agricultural and food markets. Continuous political wrangling in the Governorates influences program implementation in a number of ways, such as through cumbersome procedures for approving training course subjects, selection of course participants, training venues, timing of training provision, etc. Other issues relate to the opportunities for project staff to meet with program beneficiaries. Nearly 100 percent of Iraqis receive food and non food items through the Public Distribution System (PDS), which is intended to provide a minimum standard of living for the entire population. The system has suffered challenges, however, regarding the quality and quantity of items, inefficiencies in the distribution system, and poor access to populations due to the lack of security in some areas. The lack of targeting of the food ration to the poorest segments of Iraq s population is a major source of inefficiency in the PDS when evaluated from the perspective of wealth distribution for the purpose of reducing social inequalities and lowering the levels of food insecurity and 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

103 poverty. High dependence on the PDS as a major source of food is inherently a source of vulnerability as disruptions in food distribution often leads to acute food insecurity. The Sub PWG is working with the Government of Iraq (GoI), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the private sector on improving farmers access to quality agricultural inputs and services that will enable enhanced food production and thereby improved nutritional status. Linking with UNDAF Priority 3, interventions will complement better natural resource management for enhanced provision of arable land and water for agriculture, leading to improved food production. New farm technologies and extension services will be introduced in localities where agriculture is the primary economic activity, linking with the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP I) for relevant nutritional interventions for children and mothers as part of health and nutrition strategies. Working with the GoI to improve PDS targeting and the distribution of sufficient quantities of quality food and non food items to vulnerable population groups and in underserved areas will be done as a stopgap measure until the PDS reform process is completed. These interventions will be coordinated with those planned under UNDAF Priority Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period Some delays developed because of difficulties in obtaining entry visas for the Iraqi trainees in many counties. Examples of difficulties include: restrictive visa policies; long and time consuming procedures; and the lack of embassies in Baghdad where visa applications may be made. Security status issues and slow response times from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) caused some delays in the implementation according to the work plan, in particular on the rehabilitation of the milk collection centers and on dairy cattle embryo transfer. Also the identification of required equipment and the subsequent preparation of technical specifications for large amounts of equipment and supplies, through the agreed on collaborative process between the FAO and the MoA experts were important but time consuming. Lack of security in some areas in Mosul prevented the installation of greenhouses. Slow responses and actions from the GoI caused the delay in the execution of some of the planned activities. Most importantly, the lack of funding for non ITF projects hindered the start up of most planned programmes/projects for Coverage/Counterparts The national partners include the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade as co chairs of the Sub Priority Group; MoLSA, MofEd, National Food Control Laboratory, Prime Minister s Advisory Commission (PMAC), Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) and Ministry of Science and Technology. These ministries are the main recipients of support and are involved in all stages of programme design, planning, implementation, monitoring and close out. Interventions cover the whole agricultural sector and provide food support to vulnerable groups including pregnant/lactating women, malnourished children, TB patients, small holder farmers, female headed households, primary school children, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) through the Food Assistance component. The geographical coverage varies from nationwide projects to Governorate level and some area based projects as needed Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

104 Figure 8 15 Food Security Sub Priority Area Map Results Figure 8 16 Food Security Sub Priority Area Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

105 Table 8 16 Table of Project Status Update and the Corresponding Outcome Food Security Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome A5 08 Restoration of Veterinary Services in Iraq Nationwide 100% 4.6 A5 10 Restoration and Development of Essential Livestock Services in Iraq Nationwide with focus on Baghdad and Salah Eddin 100% 4.6 A5 12 Capacity building of Water Institutions Nationwide 100% 4.6 A5 13 Rehabilitation of Dairy Plant Basra, Thi Qar, Qadissiya, Missan 100% 4.6 A5 16 Rehabilitation and Development of National Seed Industry in Iraq Nationwide 100% 4.6 A5 21 Rehabilitation and Conservation of Kahrez System in the Northern Governorates A5 24 Modernization and Development of the Dairy Cattle Sector in Iraq A5 25 Rehabilitation and Development of the National Vegetable Seed Industry in Iraq Erbil, Dahuk, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Sulaimaniya Nationwide with focus on Wassit, Salah Eddin, Babil, Ninewa, Kirkuk, Najaf, Thi Qar, Baghdad Nationwide with on focus on Kerbela, Baghdad, and Babil 100% % % 4.6 A5 27 Strengthening the Capacity of the Iraqi Veterinary Services for Zoonotic and Transboundary Animal Diseases A6 02 Development of Safety Nets and Food Security through Food Assistance A6 03 Enhancing Iraqi Institutions Capacity in Monitoring and Targeting the Most Food Insecure and Vulnerable Segments of Iraqi Population D2 22 Enhancing the Iraqi Institution s Capacity in Analysing and Reporting Food Security and Vulnerability in Iraq Nationwide 90% 4.6 Nationwide 100% 4.6 Nationwide 100% 4.6 Nationwide 100% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 4.1: The Government of Iraq has participatory and accountable policy framework and implementation mechanisms for the delivery of quality basic services at all levels. The work of drafting an agricultural policy is in progress; this policy will support the GoI in drafting a prioritized national agricultural policy aimed at enhancing agricultural growth. Development of a costed agricultural sector investment strategy is also in progress Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

106 Outcome 4.6: People in Iraq have improved food and nutrition security and food safety. Training has been an important component of improving food security and safety. A number of training activities were successfully conducted during 2011 as follows: Training on rabies for five MoA/General State Company for Veterinary Services (GSCVS) officials was successfully conducted in Morocco. An international workshop for 15 participants on foot and mouth disease (FMD), rabies and veterinary legislations was successfully conducted. A workshop for six MoA/GSCVS officials regarding FMD and A WFP school feeding project. rabies, and strengthening institutional capacity for senior veterinary managers was held in Amman; the workshop was completed in All the preparations for an advanced study tour on Vet Services Management for 10 senior Iraqi officials from the MoA were completed; the training will be held in January All the preparations were completed for a study tour for 10 senior Iraqi officials on Quarantine and import risk analysis in animal health management; the training will be conducted in Morocco in March After completing the tour, participants should be able to develop a good and comprehensive insight about the formal quarantine systems as well as the evolution and new organizational structure of veterinary services. Two local workshops on FMD and brucellosis were successfully conducted at the national level. The workshops were conducted in Baghdad for 240 participants. An advance study tour in Morocco on the legislations and regulations within these production groups was completed in November The Ministry of Agriculture, in coordination with the FAO, conducted an assessment about key strategic crossings: functioning, volumes, needs, etc. The check points assessment was carried out by a specialized team formulated by MoA. The equipment provided to MoA has better enabled them to investigate, diagnose and surveil livestock and poultry disease. A number of Purchase Orders were issued locally, including the list of items requested by MoA and the additional items submitted by the MoA. Most of the items delivered or are in the shipping stage. In order to improve the capacity of MoA facilities a number of equipment items were delivered, including the following: Vacuum pumps and sonar were delivered successfully to MoA as a part of the dairy project activities. Procurement of frozen embryos; the second batch of the frozen embryos will be delivered in April Local procurement for extra equipment requested by the MoA. The list includes incubators and other equipment which is necessary for the adaptation of embryo transfer technology. This will be delivered in April Complementary equipment including water cooling units were requested by MoA/Ministry of Interior (MoI) for three milk collection centers; procurement of this equipment is almost finished and will be delivered to Iraq soon. To improve production of sheep, goats and dairy cattle and to accommodate new generations of the imported pure breeds of Awassi sheep and Shami goats: Al Sewera, Al Wehad and Al Taji milk collection centers were rehabilitated and the installation of milk collection equipment of all three centers was completed. All equipment, including the second batch of cooling systems has been received, installed and tested Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

107 A total of three animal stations were rehabilitated and equipped. The MoA laboratory for disease control was equipped in order to strengthen the capacity of epidemiology and disease surveillance. Improving seed supply: A total of 22 greenhouses have been installed to develop new seed varieties. Three units of seed processing plants are in the delivery stage; these will improve the quality of the seeds. Assistance was provided to 5,000 vulnerable people through the distribution of vegetable seeds and related inputs. The seed law is within parliamentary debate and once approved it will enhance the regulatory framework in the seed sector by increasing technical assistance. One tissue culture laboratory and glass house was established to adopt advanced date palm improvement technologies. Three greenhouses have been installed for massive virus free propagation materials and gardening facilities. Rebuilding livelihoods and productive community assets of IDPs and returnees: A total of 53 percent of the targeted IDPs and returnees beneficiaries of the cash for work programme have received cash to rebuild their livelihoods and productive community assets. A total of 60 percent of the targeted IDPs and returnees beneficiaries have used cash to buy food, thus improving their household food security Other major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area The FAO and Ninewa Governorate council signed a MoU on the management and other support services to be provided by the FAO within the framework of Develop the Performance of Small Ruminants (Sheep and Goats) and Improve the Level of Income for Small Breeders project. The aim is to improve the productivity of sheep through the distribution of sheep with improved and pure genetic factors, improve veterinary and extension services in the Governorate and introduce modern and advanced methods in production processes. Embryo Transfer Part of the FAO Modernization and Development of Dairy Cattle Sector in Iraq project Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

108 8.9 Human Capital Priority Area Human Capital Priority Area Outcomes Table 8 17 Human Capital Priority Area Outcomes Outcome 5.1 Outcome 5.2 Outcome 5.3 Outcome 5.4 Outcome 5.5 The Iraqi state has improved knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the roles and rights of women, youth and children in line with international conventions, the Iraqi Constitution and legislation. Women and young people actively participate in the political, social and economic development processes in Iraq. The Government of Iraq has institutionalized policies, strategies, plans and budgets responsive to gender, youth and children at national and sub national levels. The Iraqi state has institutionalized participatory evidence based monitoring and reporting mechanisms involving women, youth, and children at national and sub national levels. The Iraqi state has institutionalized preventive and protective mechanisms to combat gender based violence Operating Context during the Reporting Period Human capital is critical to any country s growth and stability, particularly in the case of Iraq where years of conflict have led to loss of human life, emigration and brain drain, leaving several professional cadres devoid of skilled individuals. Investing in human capital is therefore imperative for a comprehensive and inclusive development process. This is not a simple matter of improved education and skills training, however. It also requires a shift in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours concerning the roles each part of the population plays in the community and the nation. Women and youth face specific challenges to participating in and benefiting from wider social, political and economic life. Lack of investment in women s capacity underlies the prevalence of illiteracy, poverty and gender based violence (GBV), and requires opening the door to more equal power relations within households as well as in Iraqi society at large. Despite Iraq s successful fulfillment of its constitutional mandate allotting 25 percent of parliamentary seats to women, women remain under represented in the higher levels of the public sector and government, face higher illiteracy levels and participate in smallers numbers in the labour force than men. Violence, traditional societal views of women, insecurity and weak performance of state functions affect women in different ways than men. The link between the wider conflict and violence directed towards women is poorly documented and needs more systematic reporting, combined with incentives to encourage women to report incidents. Similarly, youth are caught between the old and the new, and have not been allowed to have a significant voice within the governance of their lives or their nation. It is essential that young people, as the future leaders of Iraq, are educated on their rights and responsibilities, and that the community and nation allow them to participate equitably in the social, political and economic spheres of the nation as catalysts of change. Erosion of the protective environment is creating conditions that expose significant numbers of children and young people to extreme levels of violence, exploitation and abuse. The juvenile justice system currently does not conform to international norms and requires urgent reform. Children without parental care are among the most vulnerable: nearly 6 percent of children under the age of 18 have lost one or both parents. Those UN Agencies mandated to address children s issues already have activities under way with their counterparts and civil society 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

109 partners, and will seek to intensify efforts to ensure that institutional and state responsibilities are met, in keeping with international standards, at national and sub national levels to ensure outreach to all children in Iraq. The recent events in Iraq after the 2003 war, particularly the sectarian conflicts and factionalism, led to increase and the emergence of new forms of Violence Against Women (VAW) that are continuously threatening Iraqi women s rights to security, mobility and access to health care and education, as well as to employment. 5 These new forms of VAW include: Targeted killing of women to settle political, ethnic or family scores; 6 Threats by militant groups to force women to restrict their movement in public. According to reports, in some Baghdad neighborhoods, women are now prevented from going to the market alone and female university students are facing constant pressure on university campuses. 7 Violation of women s rights, such as the forced early marriage of young girls, induced by economic and socio cultural reasons. Reports from southern Governorates that estimate approximately 400 Iraqi young girls were human trafficked to Gulf countries during the last few years. 8 The social stigma attached to sexual violence crimes discourages many women from accessing medical treatment or psycho social counseling, as reporting can also lead to other social and cultural consequences such as rejection or even honour related crime for having caused shame to their families. 9 It is also noted that vulnerability and exposure to violence has increased among Internally Displaced Women. Violence within families in Iraq has also been under reported; most acts of violence against women and girls are carried out by husbands, fathers, brothers and sons on the basis of traditional codes of honour. So called Honour Crimes (HCs) are practiced against women and girls who have been deemed to have brought shame on their families by immoral behaviour. In international human rights law, this act is recognized as a form of violence against women s rights to life and security, freedom from torture and cruelty, and equality before the law and equal protection under the law. UNHCR called on states to investigate thoroughly all killing committed in the name of passion or in the name of honour, and to take the appropriate measures to punish those responsible and bring them to justice. 10 It is difficult to determine, however, the extent of HCs or to assess whether it is increasing or decreasing in Iraq in recent years due to the absence of reliable and comprehensive data. Throughout 2011, Iraq continued to witness periods of severe instability, both from security and political viewpoints. The full fledged participation of women and youth in public arenas, and subsequently their emancipation, was directly hindered. These limitations are coupled with a heavily patriarchal and traditional society that is male dominated and that does not support or foster gender parity and equality. Implementing partners under this sector have systematically strived to secure the participation of qualified women in activities. Achieving gender balance remained a serious challenge in the Iraqi context, however, because nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and professions such as journalism and academia tend to be male 5 Women for Women Organization, Stronger Women Stronger Nations, 2008, p.7 6 UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, Human Rights Report, 2008, p.16 7 UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, Human Rights Report, 2008, p.15 8 IOM, Emergency Needs Assessment, Sept. 2008, p.7 9 OCHA Iraq/UNAMI (Information Analysis Unit, Access to Quality Health Care in Iraq: A Gender and Life Cycle Perspective, 2008, p Amnesty International. Decades of Suffering, Now Women Deserve Better Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

110 dominated. Moreover, male representatives are systematically put forward as first choice participants by beneficiary organizations and institutions Implementation Constraints and Challenges during the Reporting Period The Human Capital Priority Area continued to face several implementation challenges during the reporting period. First and foremost, an unstable political situation still hinders the deployment and movement of international project staff throughout Iraq. Access to all operational areas (except some in the Kurdistan Region) remains limited, hampering the implementation of mandates by UN Agencies working in the Human Capital PWG. To address this concern while building their capacities to implement the projects, close cooperation with key ministries, their directorates and local authorities, and participation by community members will be an important consideration. Nevertheless, direct monitoring of the projects by the UN Agencies staff, as well as by implementing partners, was possible to some extent. Secondly, delays in the implementation of some activities were caused by the continuous change in decision makers in the GoI. Constant and renewed efforts are required to advocate with newly appointed managers and staff for smooth programme implementation. Finally, gaps in capacity of national counterparts have slowed the implementation process of some activities in this sector, but also provided an opportunity to develop national capacities with the assistance of the non Iraqi research and academic institution responsible for performing field assessments and developing training materials Coverage/Counterparts Different counterparts play an important role in the achievement of the sector s outcomes. Keys among them are the ministries and governmental institutions concerned with human capital. These include the Prime Minister s Advisory Board, Council of Ministers Secretariat, State Ministry of Women s Affairs (SMoWA), Ministry of Planning (MoP), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Endowment (Waqf) and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Education (MoEd), Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and Ministry of Health (MoH), as well as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Education (MoEd), Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR), High Council of Women Affairs (HCWA), and Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS). Other relevant Iraqi stakeholders include NGO partners, Women Leadership Institute (WLI), Women Empowerment Organization (WEO), Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) and Iraqi Al Amal Association (IAA). Other partners include the inter ministerial National Committee for Employment (NCE), Vocational Training and Employment Service Centers, the ILO International Training Centre, various Iraqi NGOs, universities, the European School of Governance (EUSG), Qandil association in Iraq, Save the Children, the American University of Beirut (AUB) and representatives of the civil society organizations (CSOs) and religious communities who are involved at local levels in many areas Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

111 Figure 8 17 Human Capital Priority Area Map Results Figure 8 18 Human Capital Priority Area Outcomes Project Implementation Status 2011 Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

112 Table 8 18 Table of Project Status update and the Corresponding Outcome Human Capital Project Title Location Completion Status Priority Area Outcome B1 27 Skills Development to Support Employment Generation in Iraq Nationwide 100% 5.1 B1 34 Promoting Civic Values and Life Skills for Adolescents (12 Years to 19 Years) through Education D2 31 Adolescents and Youth Friendly Health Services at Primary Health Care Level F8 10 Strengthening Protection and Justice for Children and Young People in Iraq Nationwide with focus on Baghdad, Salah Eddin, Thi Qar, and Erbil Baghdad, Babil, Erbil, Missan Baghdad, Basra, Dahuk, Erbil, Ninewa, Sulaimaniya 57% % % 5.2 F8 11 Combating Violence against Women in Iraq Nationwide with focus on Erbil, Baghdad, and Basra 50% Narrative Explanatory Summary of Results Outcome 5.1: The Iraqi state has improved knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the roles and rights of women, youth and children in line with international conventions, the Iraqi Constitution and legislation. Through the Skills Development to Support Employment Generation in Iraq project, ILO and UNOPS achieved the following: Designed and launched the Iraq National Vocational Training Center (VTC) network, a Web site that will link all Iraqi VTCs. Managed by MoLSA in Baghdad, the bilinqual site provides users and trainers with all necessary information on the VTC and training courses. ( Launched an awareness campaign to enhance understanding among Iraqi men and women of the creation of an enterprise culture in Iraqi Society. Created an enhanced employment policy that was endorsed by the Council of Ministers. Outcome 5.2: Women and young people actively participate in the political, social and economic development processes in Iraq. Through the Strengthening Protection and Justice for Children and Young People in Iraq project, UNICEF and UNFPA supported the following activities: The implementation of life skills education in schools and communities to increase the understanding of conflict mediation and peace building, as well as to prevent children from coming into contact with the law. In schools, 94 teachers were trained to deliver life skills education to children, while in youth centres, 1,171 youth were trained on life skills. Community based preventative action is ongoing to address risks and threats to children through the mobilization of communities and police forces. Mobilization of child protection networks by UNICEF for the celebration of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in November 2011; specific events were organized in the framework of this project in cooperation with the Ministries of Education, Youth and Sport, and Culture, and reached hundreds of youth in Baghdad, Mosul and Basra. A total of 251 people (223 children and 28 detention centre staff) benefitted from training on child rights and a total of 307 people (263 children and 44 detention centre staff) participated in life skills education training Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

113 Legal aid was provided to 85 children (82 cases in 2011) UNICEF s partner organization in Baghdad, Basra and Ninewa. UNICEF, UNFPA and partner organizations engaged with the University of Baghdad and the College of Law to establish a Restorative Justice Research and Training Unit in order to introduce and institutionalize diversion and restorative justice for children in contact with the law. An agreement was reached and the College of Law will host the Unit which is to be formally established in UNICEF promoted the development of a mediation system which is now set up in 42 targeted schools in Ninewa, Baghdad and Basra; a total of 820 students were elected as mediators and are actively engaged in the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the classroom. Training for community police agents in Baghdad has been prepared with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and is scheduled to take place in February Six mediation rooms established in six youth centers to support the diversion of children from the formal judicial system were used in Basra. Four consultative meetings were held by ILO with the Ministry of Education (MoEd), the Baghdad Provincial Council and the MoLSA Vocational Training Directorate to plan for the delivery of services per sector. UNFPA developed special modules in cooperation with AUB and the MoH to be used to train medical staff who are working in reformatories; the modules will assure that health services inside reformatories are delivered better. Through the Adolescents and Youth Friendly Health Services at Primary Health Care (PHC) Level project, UNFPA, in partnership with WHO and UNICEF, ensured the involvement of the community in health promotion regarding adolescents and youth services. This was conducted through advocacy meetings for the community and for religious leaders, teachers and parents in the targeted areas of the piloted PHC centers, to provide information related to adolescents health and the main health issues that are facing them in the community these are top priority for consideration in youth training at secondary schools. Within this reporting period, the project Promoting Civic Values and Life Skills for Adolescents (12 Years to 19 Years) through Education, implemented by ESCWA, UNESCO and UNFPA, witnessed the completion of the all planned surveying and analytical activities and succeeded in establishing a baseline for civic education and life skills in Iraq. ESCWA, with support from regional and international experts, developed two analytical outputs, namely the Policy Paper on potential directions for Iraqi formal and non formal education to incorporate better concepts of citizenships, nation building and tolerance, and the Study on successes and failures of formal and non formal education to promote civic values and life skills activities. Both outputs were complemented by the Assessment Report on Perception of Youth and Concerned Stakeholders on Civic Values and Life Skills, which was performed through 14 focus group discussions targeting youth, educators and parents, and more than 500 interviews in the four targeted Governorates. Based on the above mentioned outputs, ESCWA devised the draft Action Plan for the Promotion of Civic Values and Life Skills through Education, which was presented to and discussed with the Steering Committee and which will be validated during a national conference in Iraq that gathers all stakeholders in the field. As part of the technical and capacity building component of the programme, UNESCO recorded the development of the training package outline with the support of a group of international consultants. This package was validated by Technical Committees of both MoEds in Baghdad and KRG through a Validation Workshop on five main topics (Citizenship, Political Literacy and Engagement, Peace building, Sustainable Development, Employment and Employability) and three groups of skills (social; emotional; employment). In addition, partnerships have been established with Save the Children and three local NGOs working in the four Governorates (Baghdad, Erbil, Salah Eddin and Thi Qar) for development of the toolkits Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

114 Within the same component, UNFPA, with its implementing partner AUB, successfully completed the development of the Life Skills toolkits, including trainees and trainers manuals. This process was based on several consultative and consensus building meetings performed with technical committees, experts from counterpart ministries, lifeskills trainers and providers, and end beneficiaries. By the end of 2011, the Life Skills toolkits were ready and plans for their testing had been discussed and approved with national partnering ministries. On a final note, ESCWA and the European School of Governance devised a monitoring and evaluation plan using baseline data gathered through the field assessment and indicators identified within the action plan. The M&E framework and plan will be presented to the Steering Committee early in 2012 and will also be validated alongside the Action Plan during the national conference in Iraq, scheduled to take place by mid Outcome 5.5: The Iraqi state has institutionalized preventive and protective mechanisms to combat gender based violence. Through the Combating Violence against Women in Iraq project, UNFPA partnered with UN Women and WHO to improve the environment for the protection of women s rights and the prevention of VAW in Iraq through the following actions: Building institutional, technical and operational capacity for the two women s ministries in Iraq: the State Ministry of Women Affairs (SMoWA), and the Kurdistan High Commission of Women Affairs (KHCW). During 2011, work was in swing with the two ministries to finalize the national Violence against Women strategy. Right now the document is finalized; it consists of two parts, for Kurdistan and the other for the central government. The strategy is endorsed by the KRG, and the process is ongoing to work on setting Plan of Actions with seven key ministries to integrate the strategy within their annual work plans. UNFPA has trained the MoI and NGOs on simple data collection at the grass roots level in three Governorates: Basra, Baghdad, and Erbil. UNFPA developed a manual for MoI police officers to share with those who provide services to women survivors of violence. This was followed by a Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop for selected persons who received intensive training on how, in turn, to train their targeted service providers on how to better work with women who have been victims of violence. UNFPA also developed a manual for NGO social workers to use in instructing service providers to women survivors of violence. This was followed by a TOT workshop for selected persons who received intensive training on how to train their targeted service provider to work with women who have been victims of violence. A training manual for Life Skills was developed, in full consultation with national partners. UN Women, in close coordination with SMoWA, drafted an assessment to review and analyze available data and other information on VAW existing within governmental institutions and civil society organizations. UN Women conducted six seminars for 300 Iraqi men and women in Najaf, Baghdad and Basra Governorates on the importance of eliminating VAW. UN Women finalized a first draft of the family protection law during this reporting period Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December

115 8.9.7 Other Major Contributions and Implementing Partners within the Priority Area The project Support the Formulation of the National Strategy for Advancement of Iraqi Women aims at identifying and prioritizing critical issues required to improve women s issues and develop women s skills and status in health, education, and ideological and social fields. It is also intended to enhance women s productivity in all sectors. The project helps government and the private sectors incorporate development norms and build communal participation. These are necessary for the success of development programs for women and will help women achieve a stronger economic role and greater equality. Consultative meeting with the MOI on VAW training manuals. Through this project, UN Women in close coordination with the SMoWA was able to finalize a first draft of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Iraqi Women. It was finalized after coordination and consultation meetings with several ministries and NGOs to review the goals, framework and methodology of the strategy. The National Women Strategy (NWS) is in line with the objectives set by the UN Development Assistance Framework for Iraq (UNDAF) for , and aligned with UN Women s mandate to provide technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies to foster women s empowerment and gender equality Annual UNDG ITF Progress Report Period Ending 31 December