Now, with the support of the UN, Mosul has emerged from the ashes of the war and its historical monuments that had been reduced to debris, splash the horizon once more.
The devastating battle of nine months to release the city of the terrorist group killed 10,000 civilians, leaving her in ruins.
In less than seven years, the reconstruction has revitalized the city, with a solid support from the UN agencies and international partners, such as Japan, the United Arab Emirates (EAU) and the European Union.
The Al-Nouri mosque in Mosul was severely damaged in 2017 during the occupation by ISIL.
International cooperation builds a durable legacy
The intensity of the fighting between the terrorists and the Iraqi terrestrial forces, supported by the air attacks of the coalition led by the United States, left many completely or partially destroyed invaluable buildings, including the famous Al-Nouri mosque of the 12th century.
UN agencies forged action plans with local authorities and international partners to rebuild the city devastated by war.
The teams approached the enormous challenges, from recycling debris and eliminating without exploiting pumps, to the reconstruction of the classrooms and the centenary reference points while revitalizing the Moslawi spirit.
Two girls walk in the ruins of the city of Mosul.
Revive Mosul’s spirit
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) joined those efforts in 2018, with a budget of $ 115 million and 15 partners, including the EAU and the European Union.
He Relive Mosul’s spirit The project wrote plans to resurrect the historical reference points, classrooms and houses along with the vibrant essence of a reborn city.
Get more information about plans here.
The Al-Nouri Mosque complex in Mosul must rebuild with the support of UNESCO.
Plans in the midst of the rubble
Reconstruction plans developed at a constant pace.
To document the dramatic transformation, young Iraqi filmmakers set out to track recovery in a series of videos backed by UNESCO.
His 48 episodes captured the human dimension of the rejuvenation of the city, telling the moving musical stories along with their hopes and dreams for their beloved city.
Look at the complete series here.
A team of unmas in Mosul devastated by war, Iraq, seeks and clears explosives in the rubble.
Security is the first
When an unexplained remains of war end, they must be removed safely, since they represent mortal threats long after weapons are silent.
First, security was guaranteed so that civilians returning to their neighborhoods.
To address these dangers, a UN SERVICE SERVICE (UNMA) of the UN was displayed to search and delete the unleashed artillery between the rubble.
Deal with 8 million tons of debris
To deal with an estimate of seven to eight million tons of debris created by the battle for Mosul, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Migration Organization (IIM) joined forces in 2021 with local authorities to establish the first city remains recycling center.
“When processing the debris to produce quality materials that can be used in reconstruction efforts, creating very necessary work opportunities for returnees and cleaning the urban environment, this initiative practically illustrates how humanitarian needs and sustainable development objectives can be addressed jointly,” said Dr. Jassim Humadi, the venary of the Iraq environmental minister, at the time.
The local population welcomed the project.
“Young people in our town see the recycling of debris as a golden opportunity in terms of job creation, which also, by cleaning the rubble, allows us to return and rebuild our homes,” added Mijbel Mar’i, a 24 -year -old worker.
Read more about that project here.
Claiming unity
Reconstruction is much more than physical restoration; It’s about recovering identity and unity.
This conviction is in the heart of UNESCO’s efforts to rebuild the treasury monuments of Mosul, including the al-Nouri mosque and the Al-Hadba mine.
The project used more than 7,700 MUSMAONES and has rehabilitated four religious monuments, 124 historical houses and renewed 404 classrooms.
Read the full report on the project here.
Workers repair part of the al-Nouri mosque in Mosul.
‘See my city returning to life’
“When I saw that the minaret rose again, it was like seeing my city return to life,” said Omar, a young architect.
He was among several local experts who helped meticulously reconstruct his fragments.
More than 45,000 original bricks from the Al-Nouri mosque and al-Hadba Minaret and cleaned and cataloged for the reconstruction of the latter have been recovered.
Get more information about this reconstruction effort here.
Beyond bricks and mortar
UN agencies also led projects to rebuild educational institutions and other damaged or destroyed civil infrastructure.
The newly rehabilitated Central Library of the University of Mosul, the second largest university in Iraq that serves more than 50,000 students, was officially reopened in 2022 by the UN Development Program (UNDP).
But, reviving Mosul goes beyond bricks and mortar.
Girls in a primary school in West Mosul, Iraq. (archive)
By 2021, damaged or level schools were being rebuilt, and the children’s fund (UNICEF) supported psychosocial training activities for teachers, even in Hududa’s elementary school in West Mosul.
UNESCO trained more than 5,000 educators and parents to prevent violent extremism, supporting more than 120,000 students.
The Moslaones are now free to enjoy their culture and passions, from music to sports, such as the Mosul Girls Football Club, founded in 2021 by the sustainable Peace Foundation with the support of the UN Migration Agency (IIM).
In helping to relive Mosul’s “spirit”, UNESCO has shown that culture can play an essential role in the reconstruction after conflict and the promotion of peace.