The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Erbil Governorate completed the rehabilitation of the main water treatment plant in Rawanduz sub-district, which provided safe drinking water to over 33,000 people, including 2,000 internally displaced people (IDPs).
With support from the Government of Germany, UNDP’s Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme (ICRRP) and Erbil Governorate upgraded key components of the treatment plant, including construction of a pumping station, main transmission pipeline, and water treatment unit.
At a ceremony marking the completion of the project, the Minister of Municipalities and Tourism (MOMAT) for the Kurdistan Regional Government, H.E.
Mrs Newroz Mawlood Amin, said: “I feel very lucky to be here today to open the Bekhal-Rawanduz water plant.
This project will increase the supply of drinking water to households from 1.5 hours over two days to 24 hours a day/seven days a week.
UNDP’s Programme Manager for ICRRP, Mr Ashley Carl, noted: “One of the first steps to recovery after a crisis is ensuring people have access to basic services.
ICRRP is strengthening access to basic services and improving the lives of vulnerable communities throughout Iraq.
With donor support, ICRRP has launched more than 30 new infrastructure projects across the country.
We are glad to have contributed to such an important project focused on supporting local authorities in meeting the increased demands for essential services to at-risk communities.” UNDP’s Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme (ICRRP) promotes the recovery and resilience of communities vulnerable to multi-dimensional shocks associated with large-scale returns and protracted displacement of Iraqis and Syrian refugees.
This is achieved through a medium-term, 24-36 month period of programming integrating crisis management capacity building, rehabilitating basic service infrastructure, livelihood recovery and social cohesion.