United Nations seeks to implement humanitarian programs in Kirkuk and develop historic castle
25/07/2012 16:19KIRKUK, July 25 (AKnews) - The United Nations mission to help Iraq (UNAMI) expressed Wednesday its desire to implement humanitarian and development programs in Kirkuk province and help families that were displaced during the sectarian violence in central and southern Iraq to Kirkuk.
The mission also added that it seeks to develop the Kirkuk archaeological castle.
Kirkuk media department spokesperson Daler al-Samad said: "The governor of Kirkuk Najm al-Din Omar Karim met a delegation from the UNAMI headed by Jacqueline Aadcol, deputy special envoy of the UNAMI and her accompanying delegation.
"During the meeting they discussed the humanitarian and development situation in the province, including the support of the families that came to Kirkuk during the sectarian violence and were displaced from central and southern Iraq in the past years and to ensure their return to their areas."
Head of Kirkuk Provincial Council Hassan Turan said: "The provincial council confirmed its full support for the international organizations and bodies that want to provide support and assistance for the province, particularly with regard to the humanitarian aspects."
Khaled al-Izzi, head of Iraqi Organization for Human Rights in Kirkuk, said: "Helping displaced families is an important step to return them to their original places and ensure the rights that were lost during the sectarian violence that swept Iraq between 2006 and 2007."
The UNAMI was formed under UN Security Council resolution no. 1,500 on August 14, 2003 as a mission to continue the work of the United Nations after the delivery of the oil for food program on November 21 the same year.
In another context, Samad said: "The UNAMI expressed its readiness to include Kirkuk castle within the UNESCO program for its global importance and because it will be an attractive tourism area."
The historical Kirkuk castle is one of the most important archaeological sites in the city.
Local authorities hope the castle ruins can be transformed into an attractive tourism site and annexed to the international humanitarian historical sites list of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization of the United Nations (UNESCO).
By Abdullah al-Amiri
RN/DM/AKnews
