The UNCT for Iraq is: ESCWA, FAO, ILO, IOM, OHCHR, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNIFEM, UNOPS, WFP, WHO
Background
The present update is submitted as part of the United Nations' contribution to the nationwide reconstruction and development of Iraq, the UN Country Team (UNCT) in collaboration with the Iraqi Authorities, the private sector and NGO partners. Coordinated through the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the UNCT has employed a "cluster" approachto its reconstruction and development programmes as presented in the Joint UN-Iraq Assistance Strategy 2005 - 2007. This cluster approach has taken a lead role in the delivery of assistance and the strengthening of national capacity in Iraq. Despite the continued constraints due to the prevailing security situation, reconstruction and development activities are being implemented by the UN agencies through national partners and counterparts.
Overview
The Cluster system continued to be refined, in order to align more closely with the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) and to bring emergency responses into coordination processes without creating separate or parallel structures. Discussions placed emphasis on creating three or four "thematic outcome" clusters, with "sectoral" outcome groups reporting to them.
The latest International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) conference in Bari was productive, in helping to clarify the foregoing refinement and agreeing on new Iraq Trust Fund (ITF) Terms of Reference. Donors were generally pleased to see more constructive interaction than at Istanbul and the potential for clearer emergency response mechanisms.
The Iraq 2006 Situation Analysis is now available in both English and Arabic and is ready for dissemination. The Situation Analysis provides an overall analysis of the situation of women and children in Iraq based on all available recent data, interviews with key government staff, UN personnel, and other key stakeholders in Iraq.
Acting on the request of the Erbil Governor, UNESCO committed itself to assist the KRG authorities in the rehabilitation of the Erbil Citadel. Consequently, UNESCO and KRG officials have had a number of meetings held in Amman and Erbil on the rehabilitation of Erbil Citadel. In light of these meetings, UNESCO has sent an expert mission to Erbil to visit the site of the project, assess damages, and meet with the concerned authorities in order to prepare an assessment report. The report has been used as a basis for UNESCO work plan.
Following the Turkish government's approval on 17 October for military action against the Kurdish Worker's Party (PKK) within Iraqi territory, thousands of Turkish troops have been amassing along the Turkey-Iraq border for a possible military offensive. UN agencies diligently developed a Contingency Plan to ensure preparedness against the expected displacement, should an incursion actually take place.