Finland participates in the Iraq stabilisation fund

Press release 92/2016
12 May 2016

Finland has joined the UN Development Programme (UNDP) fund supporting the reconstruction of Iraq, with a contribution of one million euros. The fund supports the stabilisation of areas liberated from the terrorist organisation ISIL. This enables people to return to their homes in a sustainable way in four provinces.

“In the areas freed from ISIL, not only buildings and roads but also people’s living conditions have been destroyed. Through the stabilisation fund, Finland wants to support the most vulnerable groups, especially women, and to ensure that they are not subjected to discrimination,” says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka.

Iraq will need considerable international support for a long time. In addition to ISIL, the security situation in the country is affected by tensions between different ethnic and religious groups.

Iraq’s economic situation is very bad and the need for humanitarian assistance has almost doubled within a year. Ten million people now depend on assistance. More than three million people within the country have fled their home region. In addition, there are about 250,000 Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, North Iraq.

Through the fund, public infrastructure reconstruction projects are implemented, and the recovery of local livelihoods and the creation of jobs are supported. Projects benefit women and young people in particular. In addition, the activities of local authorities are supported, as is the building of reconciliation in local communities through NGOs.

The Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization in Iraq, the FFIS Fund, had a total of about 50 million dollars at the beginning of the year. So far, the fund will operate until May 2017.

Finland takes part in the project steering group operating in Baghdad. Through the steering group, Finland is able to exert influence so that there is no discrimination between groups and that the rights of women as project beneficiaries are realised.

Inquiries: Jussi Nummelin, Desk Officer, Syria, Department for Africa and the Middle East, tel. +358 50 430 2018.