Iraq signs 33-mln-USD agreement with UNDP for stabilizing areas liberated from IS

Source: Xinhua| 2019-08-28 22:30:37|Editor: yan
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BAGHDAD, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi government Wednesday signed an agreement worth 33 million U.S. dollars with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for stabilization activities in the liberated areas that were once controlled by the extremist Islamic State (IS) militant group.

A statement from the UNDP in Iraq said that the contribution will be used to rehabilitate essential infrastructure and services like water, electricity, healthcare, housing and education in key areas of the provinces of Nineveh, Anbar, Salahudin, Diyala, and Kirkuk.

"We're extremely grateful for this contribution, which represents the government of Iraq's unwavering commitment to stabilizing Iraq and encouraging the safe and dignified return of communities who fled the atrocities of IS group," the statement quoted Zena Ali Ahmed, UNDP's resident representative in Iraq, as saying.

"The government of Iraq has been a strong partner and leader within UNDP's stabilization efforts. Without their support, we wouldn't have been able to complete more than 2,000 stabilization projects benefitting more than 8 million Iraqis. We look forward to bolstering our partnership with this new agreement," Ahmed said.

For his part, Secretary General of Iraqi Council of Ministers Hamid al-Ghizi said "through this agreement, the Iraqi government seeks to implement projects in various affected geographic areas, while focusing on those areas that have experienced the most damage," the statement said.

The agreement also reaffirms Iraq's commitment to the strategic partnership with the UNDP to restoring stability in the liberated areas, enabling displaced communities to return, building and rehabilitating the infrastructure in the provinces that have been affected by the tragic circumstances that have passed through the country," he added.

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