Iraq is navigating its path from recovery to development after years of conflict, and at the heart of this effort are UN Volunteers with UN-Habitat. As we mark International Volunteer Day, the service of UN Volunteers to Iraq's development context stands as a testament to the power of collective action for positive change.
Abdelmohsin Elzair and Elsadig Saeed are international UN Volunteer Experts from Sudan. They serve as Supervising Engineers mainly in Ninewa located in northern Iraq. Among their shared accomplishments - construction of residential complexes, the rehabilitation of houses, and the establishment of public infrastructure including portable water networks.
Elsadig leads and manages various construction and infrastructure projects through all phases in various areas in Ninewa Governorate.
Abdelmohsin conducts damage assessments, develops plans for construction, trains and supervises local engineers, and works closely with government and community leaders to protect property rights. Along with that, he also cooperates with local developers to create jobs and designs vocational training activities.
Elsadig has consistently performed even though he has encountered extremely challenging circumstances in his personal life due to the protracted conflict in his home country, Sudan." Ryosuke Teraoka, Head of UN-Habitat Kurdistan Region of Iraq Office.
In the south of Iraq, in Basra, national UN Volunteer Zaid Fadhil Nassrullah serves as a Field Engineer and is the focal point for the projects implemented by UN-Habitat Iraq Program in Basra and southern governorates.
Zaid's supervises and monitors implementing partners and contractors to ensure quality project execution. In addition, he contributes to the rehabilitation and expansion of Al-Ahrar Primary School. Securing approvals for infrastructure projects, he further collaborates on water network designs.
The projects UN-Habitat is implementing in Basra can be significantly challenging. Zaid has always demonstrated professionalism, while Abdelmohsin helped build a good relationship with the local authorities on the ground to facilitate the implementation of the projects.” Sara Jazaeri, Programme Management Officer with UN-Habitat in Iraq.
Highlighting the importance of communications in rebuilding cities, Ana Paes, UN Volunteer from Brazil, says that her role includes translating complex technical work into accessible materials. She serves as a Communications Officer with UN-Habitat.
Through human-interest stories, Ana spotlights the important work of UN-Habitat in Iraq. She has also raised awareness about the post-conflict rebuilding process. “Seeing how every technical aspect directly contributes to the well-being of people, the recovery of cities, and the strengthening of institutions is incredibly inspiring,” says Ana.
Dilan Hasan Pasha is a national UN Volunteer with UN-Habitat and serves as a Project Assistant. She facilitates the translation of essential documents, which focus on housing, land, and property rights of returnees and internally displaced persons, basic human services including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
Muslim Qazimi, acting Head of UN-Habitat in Iraq values volunteering and the contribution of UN Volunteers to Iraq's development.
Dilan’s enthusiasm to learn new things brought new energy to our project. Her dedication to high-quality work, organizational skills, and her proactive approach to problem-solving is evident. Ana's dedication has transformed the way we connect and engage with our stakeholders, beneficiaries, and our online community. Her efforts have been key in improving our brand." Muslim Qazimi, acting Head of UN-Habitat Iraq.
On International Volunteer Day, we pay tribute to volunteers around the world, who continue to serve in challenging situations and dire circumstances. Their service amplifies what collective action can help achieve.