Background and objectives:

Many years of sanctions and conflict have taken their toll on housing and basic infrastructure in Iraqi cities. This project addresses the rehabilitation of houses in run-down urban areas as well as severely dilapidated social housing complexes constructed over 30 years ago. Because of the limited budget available, the project has not undertaken the full rehabilitation of the housing units but has given priority to urgent rehabilitation needs, especially water and sanitation.

Objectives:

• Rehabilitating houses and basic infrastructure;
• Enhancing the capacity of small contractors;
• Generation of income and employment.

Activities:

• Involving beneficiary communities at all project stages through a participatory approach;
• Training beneficiary communities in construction skills;
• Providing technical support to small Iraqi contractors;
• Rehabilitating houses and basic services.

Results:

• 959 housing units rehabilitated (378 in Baghdad, 300 in Samawa, 281 in Kirkuk) with work on a further 319 units about to be completed;
• Some 110,211 days of employment generated;
• Capacities of eleven small Iraqi contractors reinforced;
• Community participation, especially in Baghdad and Kirkuk where individual housing units have been rehabilitated.