Home sweet home…. the tale of two families in Western Nineveh

Ninewa, Iraq, 19 July 2023 – After a decade of living in displacement, which included ten days enduring the harsh conditions of the Shingal mountains with no access to water, food, or a safe place to stay, Barakat Murad Khalaf and his family of fourteen now finally have a place to call their own.

We refer to this place as their newfound home, marking the end of their displacement situation. They now have a house to live in, land to cultivate and establish roots, access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, as well as schools and opportunities. 

"Here on my land, hope has returned to me. I have planted trees and created a small garden, and I can witness their growth. I am incredibly satisfied with my new house and grateful to UN-Habitat and all those who participated in this charitable endeavor."

In his garden, Barakat cultivates fresh herbs, olives, eggplants, and various vegetables for daily use and consumption by his family. He takes great care of each plant, watering them every day using the water provided by the borehole rehabilitated by UN-Habitat.

Returning to their land had always been a part of Barakat's family plans, despite the unrecognizable situation they encountered upon their arrival and the extensive destruction that had taken place.

"I spent two years at Essian Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp, followed by three years at Mam Rashan camp, and then I made the decision to return to my land. I couldn't even find my old house. Everything seemed hopeless and destroyed," he reminisced.

In 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) invasion, caused widespread destruction and triggering a massive wave of displacement. Nearly ten years after the conflicts, the cities and their inhabitants continue to struggle to rebuild their lives and communities.

UN-Habitat Iraq works alongside the locals to develop the cities with them and for them in various ways.

In West Ninewa, the UN-Habitat team was fortunate to have Murad Yilmaz as a Civil Engineer who made significant contributions. Like many beneficiaries Yilmaz also experienced the displacement situation with his family during ISIL's occupation. He hails from Tel Afar and had to move to Sulaymaniyah for safety.

With UN-Habitat Iraq, he had the opportunity to contribute to the construction of core housing units in the Tel Afar district, specifically in the villages of Qazal Qew and Kasir Mehrab. He was also involved in the rehabilitation of a football park in Ayadhiya and the upgrade of a school in Qazal Qiow and Kaser Mahrab.

"From the very beginning, I was thrilled to be part of this project in Tel Afar, through the construction of their houses and providing shelter for them, I have witnessed a profound change in their lives, dispelling the feeling of hopelessness," shared Yilmaz. Although he did not personally benefit from receiving a house, he takes pride in his contribution to his hometown and its people. He also enjoys the city's improvements, restored infrastructure, and new facilities that have resulted from his efforts.

In the 'Support for Urban Recovery and Peacebuilding in Western Ninewa' project, under MADADFUND , UN-Habitat successfully provided 323 core-housing units, accommodating 2897 returnees. Additionally, the project upgraded four primary schools, drilled, and rehabilitated three water boreholes, rehabilitated a marketplace and football park, and provided vocational training for 1200 youth, including women, with job placement. Moreover, occupancy certificates for 4000 plots were issued as well as  the execution of  legal awareness sessions on housing, land, and property (HLP) rights for returnees and local authorities.