The Stabilization Task Force advises Kirkuk

Technical Advisors of Germany, France and Denmark visited Kirkuk to convey a clear message: Social cohesion, peace and security are preconditions for stability, recovery and development. Mr. Martijn Dalhuijsen, the Development Coordination Officer from UNAMI in Kirkuk, was delighted that the Stabilization Task Force conducted a mission to better understand the local situation. While high-level meetings in Baghdad are certainly important to strengthen policy coherence, such discussions are more informed with first-hand information on the ground.

The Stabilization Task Force coordinates the efforts of the 27 major donors in Iraq, co-chaired by Iraq and Germany. The Stabilization Task Force focuses on a different Governorate every quarter and provides strategic guidance to the Iraqi and international stabilization partners through the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS). This Fund, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has allocated USD $ 1.4 billion dollars towards the recovery across five liberated governorates including Kirkuk, and in nine major sectors: electricity, health, water, education, sewage, livelihoods, municipalities, roads and bridges, and social cohesion.

According to Ms. Zena Ali Ahmed, the UNDP Resident Representative, the FFS remains the Government of Iraq’s and the international community’s partner of choice to implement it stabilization work, bringing peace and stability to a country that suffered immensely under ISIL.

During the meeting with H.E. Mr. Rakan Al-Jubouri, the Governor of Kirkuk highlighted the need for shelter rehabilitation. The German chair of the Technical Advisors Group, Ms. Beata Hoppe, stressed the continuous support of the donor community to the joint stabilization efforts in Kirkuk as well as all liberated areas.

After a successful visit to Kirkuk, the Technical Advisors returned to the capital with first-hand insights into ongoing stabilization activities in Kirkuk in preparation for the high-level Stabilization Task Force meeting on 02 June 2021 in Baghdad.

Photos:  UNAMI PIO / Harith Al-Obaidi