Background

For decades, the history of Northern Iraq has been characterized by periods of armed conflict and political upheaval resulting in the displacement of large segments of the population and the emergence an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) problem of major proportions. In 1997, UN-HABITAT was called upon to assist IDPs and other vulnerable groups in the three northern governorates of Arbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah through the Settlements Rehabilitation component of the "Oil-for-Food" agreement between the Government of Iraq and the United Nations.

The objectives of the Settlements Rehabilitation Programme were to:

• Identify a priority caseload of the underprivileged IDPs and other vulnerable groups to form the basis of a targeted programme of resettlement assistance;
• Improve the living conditions of the target group through the provision of integrated packages of resettlement assistance, including shelter, basic services, and infrastructure;
• Contribute to the stabilisation of the area by improving the social and economic infrastructure in settlements with high concentrations of IDPs and other vulnerable groups;
• Help lay the foundations for future sustainable human development through rehabilitation and expansion of educational infrastructure in the area;
• Ensure that any improvements in the living conditions of the target group are consistent with the principle of equity as enshrined in the United Nations Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Programme (UNIAHAP). The Programme was handed over to the Coalition Provisional Authority on 22 November 2003 as per Security Council Resolution 1483.

• Plan and design reconstruction projects for the building of houses, access roads, sewerage systems, water systems, health centres and schools;
• Sub-contract the execution of these projects to national contractors;
• Follow-up on reconstruction activities;
• Deliver houses, services and infrastructure to IDPs and vulnerable groups.