By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN agencies and its partners on Thursday said that it has forged action plans with Iraqi local authorities and international partners to rebuild the war torn city of Mosul.
Mosul has risen from the ashes of war and its historic monuments which had been reduced to rubble, dot the skyline once again with the support from the UN.
Terrorist fighters with ISIL/Da’esh invaded the city of Mosul in 2014, destroyed centuries-old landmarks in a bid to erase its history and impose a bleak and repressive future on the nearly two million people who lived there.
The devastating 9 month-long battle to liberate the city from the terrorist group killed 10,000 civilians, leaving it in ruins.
The reconstruction has revitalized the city, with robust support from UN agencies and international partners, like Japan, the UAE and the European Union.
The intensity of the fighting between the terrorists and Iraqi ground forces – supported by US-led coalition airstrikes left many priceless buildings completely or partially destroyed, including the famous 12th century Al-Nouri Mosque.
Teams tackled the enormous challenges, from recycling rubble and removed unexploded bombs, to rebuilding classrooms and centuries-old landmarks while re-energizing the Moslawi spirit.
UNESCO joined those efforts in 2018, with a budget of $115 million and 15 partners, including the UAE and the European Union.
The Revive the Spirit of Mosul project drafted plans to resurrect historic landmarks, classrooms and homes alongside the vibrant essence of a re born city.
The rebuilding plans unfolded at a steady pace, UN stated.
To document the dramatic transformation, young Iraqi filmmakers set out to track the recovery in a UNESCO-supported video series.
The 48 episodes captured the human dimension of the city’s rejuvenation, telling the poignant stories of Moslawis alongside their hopes and dreams for their beloved city.
When a conflict ends, unexploded remnants of war must be safely removed as they pose deadly threats long after the guns go silent.
The safety was ensured for civilians returning to their neighborhoods.
UN Mine Action Service team was deployed to search for and clear unexploded ordnance among the rubble.
UN Environment Programme and the International Organization for Migration joined forces in 2021 with local authorities to establish the city’s first debris recycling centre to deal with an 8 million tonnes of debris created by the battle for Mosul.
Dr. Jassim Humadi, Iraq’s Deputy Environment Minister said that “By processing the rubble to produce quality materials that can be used in reconstruction efforts, creating much needed job opportunities for returnees and cleaning-up the urban environment, this initiative practically illustrates how humanitarian needs and sustainable development goals can be addressed in a joint manner,”
The local population welcomed the project.
“Young people in our village view debris recycling as a golden chance in terms of job creation, which additionally, by clearing the rubble, is allowing us to return and rebuild our homes,” added Mijbel Mar’i, a 24-year-old day labourer.
Reconstruction is about much more than physical restoration; it is about reclaiming identity and unity.
This conviction lies at the heart of UNESCO efforts to rebuild Mosul’s treasured monuments, including Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret.
The project employed more than 7,700 Moslawis and has rehabilitated four religious monuments, 124 historical homes and renovated 404 classrooms.
“When I saw the minaret rise again, it was like watching my city come back to life,” said Omar, a young architect.
He was among several local experts that helped meticulously piece together its fragments.
Over 45,000 original bricks have been recovered from Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret and
UN agencies also led projects to rebuild education institutions and other civilian infrastructure damaged or destroyed.
The new rehabilitated Central Library at Mosul University, Iraq’s second-largest university that serves more than 50,000 students, was officially reopened in 2022 by the UN Development Programme
UNICEF supported psychosocial training activities for teachers, including at Al Huda Primary School in west Mosul by 2021, damaged or leveled schools were being rebuilt.
UNESCO trained over 5,000 educators and parents in prevent violent extremism, support over 120,000 students.
Moslawis are free to enjoy their culture and passions, from music to sports, like the Mosul Girls Football Club, founded in 2021 by the Sustainable Peace Foundation with UN migration agency support.
UNESCO has demonstrated that culture can play an essential role in post-conflict reconstruction and the promotion of peace to help revive the “spirit” of Mosul.
Comments are closed.