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Erbil, Iraq, 27 June 2022 UNDP Iraq and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Office of the National Security Advisory, and with participation from the Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MOMD) and other relevant government agencies, have brought together over 45 community and tribal leaders as well as local authorities from Ninewa Governorate in a workshop aimed at fostering understanding and community readiness among local leaders to facilitate the return and reintegration of displaced Iraqis back into their communities.

UNDP and IOM are working with the Government of Iraq to support the return and reintegration of displaced Iraqi families with perceived affiliation to ISIL, including those returning from Syria, in line with the governments efforts to end protracted displacement through proactive measures to facilitate access to durable solutions.

The workshop included participants from the areas of Baaj, Ayadia, Makhmour, Mosul, Al Qiarah and Telafar in Ninewa, and discussed the details of the return process, challenges facing families who will return, the role of community leaders and local government in facilitating the reintegration of families, and the work which UNDP and IOM are undertaking to facilitate return and reintegration. The workshop produced a unanimous consensus to enhance community acceptance of returning families.

UNDP Iraq Resident Representative Ms. Zena Ali-Ahmad emphasizes, UNDP is committed to working with the Iraqi Government and IOM to ensure communities are well informed and ready to accept the return of displaced families back to their communities of origin. Our sustainable approach to community readiness includes discussions with local and national authorities surrounding livelihood opportunities, mental health services, and housing options for both returning families and community members.

According to Mr. Giorgi Gigauri, IOMs Chief of Mission in Iraq, IOMs whole-of-society approach to identifying and facilitating durable solutions for displaced Iraqis demands that the needs, concerns and awareness of all those affected are taken into account this is a crucial component of joint efforts by IOM, UNDP and the Government of Iraq to resolve the cases of individuals facing complex barriers to return and reintegration. The good faith and commitment to social cohesion shown during this workshop are a hopeful indication of increased opportunities for concerted action moving forward.

Dr. Saeed Al-Jiashi, Advisor, National Security Advisory, states, This meeting is very important in clarifying accurate information to the community about returning families and the stages of rehabilitation, including defining the timetable for returns. We have addressed issues by presenting facts and listening to tribal leaders, heads of administrative and security units, and local peace committees.

In 2020, UNDP Iraq launched a dedicated five-year Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. The Community-based Reconciliation and Reintegration Project supports the community readiness, return, and reintegration of families perceived to be affiliated with ISIL, who are often among the most marginalized and vulnerable, as well as supporting host families in areas of return.

Media contact:

Miriam Pineau, Communication Analyst | miriam.pineau@undp.org |+964 790 110 1982IOM Iraqs Public Information Unit | iraqpublicinfo@iom.int

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UNDP, IOM, and Iraqi government agencies encourage returns and reintegration in Ninewa [EN/AR] - Iraq - ReliefWeb

A legislator from the Iraqi Fatah (Conquest) political alliance says the countrys anti-terror resistance groups will soon deliver a shocking response to the ongoing Turkish military offensives in the countrys semi-autonomousKurdistan region as they constitute a flagrant violation of Baghdads sovereignty.

Alial-Fatlawitold Iraqs Arabic-language al-Maalomah news agency that the Coordination Framework along with Popular Mobilization Units better known as Hashad al-Shaabi will give a crushing response to Turkey within the next few days.

He said the Iraqi government always stands idly by in the face of attacks and violations carried out against Iraq.

Fatlawiwent on to say that Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousitakes his personal interests into consideration during foreign meetings, as he refused to demand an immediate end to Turkeys repeated violations of the Iraqi sovereignty and security when he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently.

The Iraqi lawmaker highlighted that Halbousi deliberately made no reference to Turkish attacks on Iraqi territories during last Thursday's special parliamentary session.

Turkey launched a newcross-border incursion into Iraq, codenamedOperation Claw-Lock, in April. The air-and-ground military attacks target suspected PKK positions in the Zab, Basiyan, Avasheen, and Korajiwar districts in the Kurdistan region.

The Iraqi government summoned the Turkish ambassador,Ali Riza Guney,shortly afterwards and handed him a "strongly worded" protest note over the offensive, and called the operation a blatant violation of its sovereignty.

On the other hand, Ankara summoned the Iraqi charge d'affaires and informed him those military operations will continue if Baghdad doesn't take action against PKK members.

Militants of the PKK designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union regularly clash with Turkish forces in the Kurdish-dominated southeast of Turkey attached to northern Iraq.

A shaky ceasefire between the PKK and the Turkish government collapsed in July 2015. Attacks on Turkish security forces have soared ever since.

More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the autonomy-seeking militant group.

Earlier this month, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned in the strongest terms a Turkish drone strike in the Kurdistan region that killed several people, pledging that appropriate measures will be taken after an investigation into the deadly attack is completed.

The ministry said in a statement on June 17 that such actions represent violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a threat to the security of ordinary people, several of whom lost their lives and sustained injuries as a result of the attack.

This attack undermines the security of Iraq and stability of its people, and requires a unified stance to be confronted, the statement added.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry went on to pledge necessary steps after completion of a thorough investigation into the attack.

A Turkish drone struck a security base belonging to theProtection Force of Ezidxan, which is aligned with theso-called Kurdistan Communities Union and backed by the PKKmilitant group, in the Snune sub-district of Sinjar in the Iraqi Kurdistan region on June 15.

According to the Kurdish-language Kurdistan 24 television news network, the attack by Turkish drone left at least six people dead and injured several others. However, some other media outlets put the death toll at four.

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Iraqi resistance forces will give shocking response to Turkish offensives: Lawmaker - Press TV

Baghdad, 27 June 2022 - The United Nations set aside 27 June to annually celebrate the role that micro, small and medium enterprises play in the global economy, poverty reduction and the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

This year, UN agencies in Iraq share a statement to recognize MSMEs at the heart of any resilient recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and climate crisis. They contribute to the structural transformation of economies through decent jobs creation and income generation, particularly for vulnerable population, hence addressing the root causes of irregular migration.

Following the economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and in view of the current food insecurity, MSMEs can be effective agents of change to help advance in rebuilding and recovery efforts said UN Resident Coordinator in Iraq, Irena Vojkov-Sollorano, adding: They also have the potential to adopt actions in their business practices to contribute to building back better, in adapting to and mitigating climate change. MSMEs and start-ups need assistance to be the driving forces behind relevant innovations and take up new environmentally-friendly opportunities, as well as to improve their resilience to future shocks. Empowering MSMEs can thus contribute to a transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all and to building greater stability and resilience.

In Iraq, MSMEs represent a large share of the private sector. Supporting Iraqi MSMEs is instrumental for economic diversification, women and youth empowerment and ensuring sustainable peacebuilding efforts. Furthermore, supporting MSMEs comprises assisting young people as the upcoming employers and employees, leveraging on Iraqs demographic dividend. The White Paper for Economic Reform outlines the Government of Iraqs goals of attracting investment, inclusive development, introducing e-governance systems and fostering local production. By building on this impetus for reform and supporting MSMEs, the United Nations can help improve the overall business environment for MSMEs, increase their capacity to compete and assist the Iraqi government in achieving the goals set out in the Iraqs White Paper.

The UN in Iraq is working collaboratively to support MSMEs, particularly in high potential sectors for economic diversification and job creation, such as agriculture and agri-food value chains and the culture and creative industries. Improving MSMEs competitiveness and value chain upgrading opportunities is extremely needed nowadays in Iraq to boost the local economy and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. Well-defined strategies with mutually reinforcing interventions, fostering productive alliances, building bridges between the public and private sector and enhancing human and social capital, with a focus on young people, are crucial.

MSMEs need coordinated action and targeted support to untap their potential for sustainable and inclusive growth and decent work creation. We will continue to join our efforts to support MSMEs in Iraq to ensure they have the capacity and resources to leverage a green transition, increase their productivity and competitiveness and foster employment. The time to act is now.

Irena Vojkov-Sollorano, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq

Eric Buchot, Head of Country Programme, International Trade Centre

Dr. Salah ElHajjHassan, FAO Representative, Iraq

Ally Raza Qureshi, WFP Representative, Iraq

Maha Kattaa, ILO Country Coordinator, Iraq

George Gigauri, IOM Chief of Mission, Iraq

Erik Willems, Regional coordinator, UNCTAD

Zena Ali Ahmad, Resident Representative, UNDP Iraq

Paolo Fontani, Director and Representative to Iraq, UNESCO

Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative, Iraq

Mads Oyen, OiC Representative, UNICEF

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On Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, the UN calls for support to MSMEs as effective agents of change to help advance in...

More News28 Jun 2022 | 10:10 AM

Washington, June 28 (UNI) At least 46 people were found dead in a semi-truck in Texas' San Antonio, according to authorities.

Washington, June 28 (UNI/Sputnik) At least 40 bodies of migrants without documents were found dead in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, the US state of Texas, Fox News reported citing sources.

United Nations, June 28 (UNI/Sputnik) The United Nations Security Council is going to meet on Ukraine on Tuesday at 3 pm EST (7:00 pm GMT), according to the council's program.

Kuala Lumpur, June 28 (UNI/Xinhua) Malaysia recorded 1,894 new Covid-19 infections as of midnight Monday, bringing the total tally to 4,558,558, according to the Health Ministry.

WASHINGTON, June 28 (Sputnik) - At least 40 bodies of migrants without documents were found dead in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, the US state of Texas, Fox News reported citing sources.

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Iraq finds remains of 47 victims of 1980s' war with Iran - United News of India

When Kurdish refugee Bewar Esmat fled to Solihull after losing everything, little did he know his art would be showcased in the town's main venue for all to see. A gifted and trained artist, Iraqi Kurd Bewar was forced to flee the troubles of his homeland.

He arrived in Solihull in October 2021. Like many in his situation, he came to the UK with nothing, leaving behind a family and life that was once full of opportunity.

Holed up in a Solihull hotel with hundreds of refugees, Bewar lives in limbo while he waits for his Home Office interview. When most would crumble in the uncertainty, he has created a collection of stunning paintings.

READ MORE: Our stroll around BBC Back in Time neighbourhood found a community revelling in the limelight

His creations paint a vivid picture of the things he has seen. The white cliffs of Dover as he arrived on a boat, dark skies punctured by bright colours. His work is abstract, and created with the few resources he has.

Speaking to BirminghamLive through a translator, Bewar said: "I had this idea of what I wanted to do when I arrived. I had a certificate from an art academy in Iraq. I was an art teacher in Iraq, working for 13 years. I went to college."

And on where his ideas come from, he said: "I get ideas, [one picture] is from Dover, when I saw Dover, I was very happy."

Walk through Bewar's art exhibition in the video at the top of this article.

31-year-old Bewar is from Duhok, the capital city of the Kurdistan region in Iraq. Duhok itself is home to a huge refugee camp that first opened to host internally displaced Iraqis from the ISIS war in Iraq.

The UNHCR has reported that Iraq itself has a displacement crisis. Duhok camp has hosted displaced Iraqis, including Yazidis, Christians, Shabak, Kakai, Armenian and Turkmen minorities - some of whom have endured repeated displacement.

As a result of that, and other factors like religious and cultural persecution, people from that region have fled to claim asylum.

Bewar trained at a top art academy in Iraq, and was supported by his friends, who also live in temporary accommodation at the Solihull hotel, to display his impressive work. We have removed the identity of the hotel Bewar is staying at for security reasons.

More than 15 of Bewar's friends turned up to Solihull Council's refugee week event, at the Core Theatre on June 22, to support his first art show. Elliot Williams teaches Bewar and all of the refugees at the hotel English every week. He has got to know them well, and is clearly trusted by the group.

He said: "It's quite incredible, there's visible progression. From not knowing a word of English, they can now have basic conversations. I believe in them.

"English is fundamental" he added. The 26-year-old volunteers as a teacher but works with Entraide, a small charity dedicated to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers living in Solihull.

Those who reside in the hotels are considered by law to be asylum seekers whilst their applications for refugee status are considered by the Home Office. People housed in Solihull hotels are not necessarily destined to stay here, and could later be housed anywhere in the country.

Earlier this year, the Government came under fire for how much they spend on housing asylum seekers in hotels, with Home Secretary Priti Patel saying at the time: "We do not want people in hotels. We should not be housing people in hotels.

Communities boss at Solihull Council Alison Mc Grory said they are making a change to how the borough supports refugees.

"We supported a major exercise at Birmingham Airport last year when [refugees] came from Afghanistan, that was our first major work with refugees," she told BirminghamLive.

"We didn't have a formal resettlement service, now we do." She added: "We've started this year's [refugee week event] little. It's not just about the week, it's about what we do."

On what life is like living in temporary accomodation, Bewar said: "We need help, for art materials, for painting." And asked how he felt about being in Solihull, he replied: "I am happy, very happy."

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Refugee who fled to Solihull from Iraq produces stunning art from his temporary accommodation - Birmingham Live