United Nations: United Nations reconstruction projects have made a "real and meaningful impact" on Iraq's recovery, an independent report has found.
The "Stocktaking Review" carried out by the Norwegian aid effectiveness firm Scanteam assessed UN projects funded by the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI), the world's largest UN multi-donor trust fund, which has channeled over USD 1 billion from 25 nations into the country since 2004.
Welcoming the study, UN Resident Coordinator for Iraq, David Shearer, said that it shows that "the Iraqi people have benefited from our efforts and donor funds have been well invested, despite a very difficult operating environment for our staff."
Over 85 UN and non-governmental organisation (NGO) workers have been killed in the war-torn nation since 2003.
Some 80 per cent of UN schemes surveyed were either "acceptable" or "satisfactory". The highest grade and security costs were found to be just two per cent of overall project costs. The review, issued last week, also found no evidence of systematic corruption.
"The UN was able to deliver despite the poor security situation through our close working relationship with government, civil society and local partners," Shearer said.