UNDP supports prevention of violent extremism in Nineveh
UNDP Iraq Resident Representative Auke Lootsma shaking hands with community leaders in Nineveh. Photo: UNDP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The United Nations Development Program Iraq (UNDP), in partnership with local organization Al-Tahreer Association for Development (TAD), completed a project to support community resilience and Prevention of Violent Extremism across 30 villages in Nineveh governorate in northern Iraq, according to a press statement issued by the UNDP.
Many of the 30 villages were used as terrorist bases during conflict with ISIS and community members who fled the area have since returned, the statement explained.
The project aims to enhance the role of community leaders to contribute to building sustainable peace and strengthening the participation of youth in advocating for community needs and the Prevention of Violent Extremism, the statement elaborated.
“UNDP’s interventions in districts in Nineveh are intended to address the factors that undermine social cohesion,” UNDP Iraq Resident Representative, Auke Lootsma, stated.
“Poverty and lack of education can lead to marginalization and must be mitigated to prevent individuals from falling victim to violent extremism,” Lootsma said.
“We are grateful to the governments of Germany and the Netherlands for their support to bolster community resilience and Prevent Violent Extremism in these 30 villages,” Lootsma added.
Across western Nineveh, UNDP rehabilitated 41 schools, eight municipality buildings, two water treatment plants and created jobs for 3,862 people, to date, the statement clarified.
UNDP’s approach to stability in Iraq includes support to stabilization in liberated areas through rehabilitation of infrastructure and services, livelihoods creation, strengthening local government capacities, and social cohesion, the statement added.