USAID is supporting two major United Nations (UN) efforts to help Iraqis return to their homes in areas freed from occupation by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as Da’esh. As of October 27, 2016, 345,378 Iraqis have returned to the Tikrit area in Salah al Din Province, and 313,092 have gone back to the Ramadi area in Anbar Province.

The UN, the Government of Iraq (GOI), the United States and other international donors created a Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization (FFIS) in 2015 and a Funding Facility for Expanded Stabilization (FFES) in 2016. These UN programs provide basic infrastructure repairs, jobs and small-business loans

FFIS focuses exclusively on immediate stabilization and recovery activities completed within six months in liberated areas. USAID supports two FFIS areas: 1) Public works and light infrastructure rehabilitation and 2) livelihoods (jobs and small business grants).

FFES falls between short-term stabilization and longer-term, higher-dollar value reconstruction. FFES will support high-impact, medium-scale projects, focusing on rehabilitation of transport corridors among liberated cities and generation of jobs and other incentives for displaced persons to return.

Both these programs are managed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and are guided by a Steering Committee consisting of UNDP, contributing donors and the GOI Prime Minister’s Office. The Steering Committee approves locations and helps prioritize activities, based on need and specific requirements for location and activity set by individual donors.

The United States has supported such immediate stabilization projects as restoration of water and electricity, cash-for-work temporary employment and small business grants. The United States also will assist with larger, medium-term expanded stabilization projects, including rehabilitation of universities and hospitals. 

The United States has funded rehabilitation of schools, water-treatment facilities and power stations in Tikrit. The United States also supported repair of the Ramadi water system and provision electricity until the main powerline is reconnected. The United States plans to support immediate stabilization activities in Mosul and other selected cities between Baghdad and Mosul. The United States anticipates funding similar stabilization projects in Anbar, Salah ad Din and Ninewa provinces.