In 2019, the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) remained committed to implementing the urgent stabilization efforts in the liberated areas of Iraq to allow the population to return and re-start their lives. The 2019 year was one that exemplified the speed and scale of delivery of the FFS, with 2,320 projects completed by the end of the year and 8,510,829 Iraqis (including 4,250,462 women) having benefitted from stabilization activities. By the end of the reporting period, the FFS portfolio was comprised of 3,574 projects, having added 798 since the close of 2018. At the end of 2019, 176 projects were under implementation, 205 were being tendered and 873 were under development.

The geographical distribution of projects remained largely the same as in 2018, with 54% of projects being in Ninewa (60% in 2018) and 29% in Anbar (24% in 2018). In addition, 10% of projects were in Salah al Din (same as in 2018), 5% in Kirkuk (4% in 2018) and 1% in Diyala (less than 1% in 2018).

At the end of December 2019, IOM estimated that 4,596,450 Iraqis have returned to their area of origin. This is an increase of 246,300 people since the end of August 2019.  Despite these returns, 1,414,632 Iraqis remain displaced.

The FFS remains dedicated to supporting the GOI to implement its stabilization priorities across the five liberated governorates of Iraq. With the ongoing support of the international community and the GOI, UNDP looks forward to continuing work at speed and at scale and to, ultimately, support IDPs to return home.