Community driven recovery to support sustainable return in Mosul, Iraq

Mosul, Iraq- December 2025 - For many in Iraq, access to decent work remains a challenge. At 40 years old, Yousif Ayed Saleh faced this reality first-hand. Living in Hay Al-Tanak, Mosul, with his parents, wife, six children, and two brothers-in-law with disabilities, and carrying the responsibility of providing for a family of ten, he relied on daily-wage jobs—often physically demanding and unstable—to support his household. Over time, these strenuous tasks led to a severe back injury, forcing him to stop working and putting his family’s well-being at risk. 

 “I was unemployed and worried about how to meet my family’s essential needs,” Yousif recalls. “It was a very stressful time.” 

His story reflects a broader challenge in Iraq, where unemployment affects 14% of the working-age population and reaches 32% among youth, according to the 2024 national census. This is one of the reasons why UN-Habitat integrates livelihood opportunities into its housing initiatives, ensuring solutions are sustainable and human-centred. 

Through the Japan Village project in Mosul—funded by the Government of Japan and Japanese private entities, and implemented in partnership with Peace Winds Japan—UN-Habitat integrates housing solutions with skills development. The initiative trains local residents in construction-related trades, enabling them to help rebuild their communities while securing sustainable employment. In 2025 alone, 100 young men and women completed training in these trades, gaining valuable skills and jobs while contributing to the recovery of the Rajm Hadeed neighbourhood, which is planned as a residential area for returnees under Mosul’s City Master Plan. 

Yousif joined the programme’s electrical workshop, where he learnt the foundations of electrical installation and maintenance—skills he had never had the chance to study before—and is now applying his new skills on-site: 

“I feel proud to finally have a profession in electrical work,” Yousif shared. “This job helps me support my family and gives me the chance to serve my community by helping build safe housing for returnees.” 

 Beyond technical training, the programme was also a source of confidence and stability. Yousif notes that the opportunity has improved his financial security and overall well-being, motivating him to continue learning and growing in the field. 

 “To consider myself both financially and emotionally stable brings me happiness and relief. This opportunity gave me hope and motivation to keep improving my skills.” 

 Hay Al-Tanak, Yousif’s neighbourhood, was heavily affected by conflict with ISIL. Even after ten years of liberation, recovery efforts remain pressing, requiring both investment and skilled labour. Today, projects like Japan Village are helping communities recover by combining housing solutions with capacity building—contributing to development for a better and more sustainable urban future. 

 Yousif’s message to others is clear: 

“Take any opportunity to learn and work, even if it’s a skill you can practise from home. It can change your life.”  

He extends his gratitude to UN-Habitat, the Government of Japan, and Peace Winds Japan for providing an opportunity that improved his family’s standard of living and restored his sense of purpose and hope in the future.