World Bank to provide $400 million for the reconstruction in Iraq

The World Bank has approved a US$400 million financial assistance package to support the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of priority infrastructure to restore delivery of public services in areas of Iraq newly liberated from Daesh.

The package represents additional financing to the Iraq Emergency Operation for Development Project, $350 million, approved back in July 2015 and already underway in seven cities in Diyala and Salah Ad-Din governorates.

The additional financing will allow the geographic scale-up of existing project activities to additional cities liberated from Daesh.

"The international community has expressed its commitment to support the urgent need for the government-led reconstruction of Mosul and other recently liberated cities. The World Bank is committed to working with Iraqi authorities to ensure that this much-needed reconstruction takes place in a sustainable, inclusive and equitable manner to foster long term development and create opportunities for everyone," said Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank Middle East Department Regional Director.

The current project activities span over five primary sectors: water and sanitation, electricity, health, transport and municipal services.

The additional financing will also support the Government of Iraq in attracting private sector participation in reconstruction efforts. To this effect, studies will be carried out to assess the feasibility of public private partnerships in the reconstruction, operation and maintenance of Mosul airport, which was severely damaged during the liberation of Mosul. Similar efforts will also extend to restoring public transport terminals that serve intercity transport, and reconstruction of key segments of the railway network.

"The Emergency Operation for Development Project has restored the access to drinking water for 2 million people, improved sanitation and electricity connectivity, and reconnected 2.5 million people through reconstructing the transport infrastructure. This reconstruction process has created thousands of employment opportunities for Iraqi people," said Ibrahim Dajani, World Bank Programme Leader for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, and Mashreq Department and Coordinator of the Iraq Reconstruction Programme.

"Over 100 water tankers, garbage collection trucks and other municipal services equipment have been supplied. An equal number of electricity generators and transformers have also been delivered and installed. So far, 11 bridges have been reconstructed, with 13 more under implementation, and over 200 km of key road links have been repaired," he added.

The additional financing operation is aligned with the priorities of the World Bank Group’s engagement in Iraq and the government’s plan to capitalise on the liberation of Daesh-held areas and the slow recovery in oil prices to reinstate trust with the citizens, namely by implementing critical economic and governance reforms, providing basic services efficiently and equitably and ensuring inclusive and sustainable recovery and reconstruction efforts