Welding equipments provided by PHSS programme in Muthanna governorate, one of the income generation projects to build the capacity of the local community.

The IOM -implemented Programme for Human Security and Stabilization (PHSS), a partnership initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), is designed to support the MoLSA structures and mechanisms providing multi-sectoral assistance to the unemployed, the underemployed and disadvantaged communities.

The project contributes to the restoration of local agriculture, livelihood enterprise, the rehabilitation of basic infra-structures, skills training and psychosocial counselling through community-based initiatives and a referral mechanism, where applicable, to leverage contributions from other partners. Activities include individual and communal income generation projects and small infrastructure projects specifically targeted at improving the local economy identified by discussions with community leaders.

IOM staff, based in Baghdad, met regularly with representatives of the MoLSA to discuss program implementation and maintain strong communications with the ministry. Since MoLSA representatives have asked IOM to begin programme implementation in Muthanna governorate, IOM has chosen two international NGOs with strong operations in Muthanna and are well respected in the community as implementing partners for Muthanna. IOM is working with both of them on implementation plans for program activities that address the needs of the Ministry and the residents of the governorate. Muthanna is a sparsely populated governorate in the south of the country with over 500,000 mostly Shia residents.

IOM has worked in the governorate in the past with the Workforce Development and Veteran’s Services Programme, (WDVS) and the IDP programme is currently implementing there. Once the programme is up to full staff levels and programme procedures are finalized, IOM expects to hold a planning conference with MoLSA staff to determine their training needs and develop a series of training programmes to support MoLSA in fulfilling their mandate.

At MoLSA suggestion, PHSS began work in October 2007 in Muthanna governorate; operations expanded to Basra in November, 2007. Using income generation and re-integration project experience from Northern Iraq and Information Counselling and Referral Services (ICRS) framework, IOM is also directly implementing income generation grants through the Baghdad MoLSA offices in direct collaboration with MoLSA staff. IOM and MoLSA staff are providing in kind grants to beneficiaries identified from the MoLSA database.