BAGHDAD, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The government of Iraq's northern province of Nineveh re-opened on Thursday three public sites in the provincial capital Mosul after rehabilitation by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
A statement by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said "al-Rabee Primary Healthcare Center, the al-Muthana Sport and Youth Center and the East Mosul Nursery Plantation were officially reopened today."
"While a lot of work remains to be done in Mosul, the opening of these three projects shows the strength and resilience of the city," the statement quoted Zena Ali Ahmad, UNDP's resident representative in Iraq, as saying.
She said "al-Rabee is one of 24 healthcare centers and hospitals rehabilitated by UNDP in Mosul and provides critical healthcare services to communities across the city, and the al-Muthana Sport and Youth Center is an opportunity to reengage our youth, while the plants produced by the Nursery will not only beautify the city, but they also hold great symbolism, representing new life and restoring hope for the people of Mosul."
The rehabilitation of al-Rabee Center was funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and furniture for the center was provided by a financial contribution from Poland, and the rehabilitation of both the Sport Center and Nursery Plantation was supported by the Netherlands, the statement said.
Al-Muthana Sport and Youth Center is a public sporting facility and a hub for organized youth activities. In its 6,700 square meters, the center includes multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis and handball. Under the Islamic State (IS) group's occupation, it was used as the militant group's primary training base, it said.
East Mosul Nursery Plantation is the main source of plant supply to government departments. The area covers 56,000 square meters and consists of greenhouses, net shades, open spaces and admin buildings. Prior to IS occupation, the nursery would produce 250,000-300,000 plants per year, it added.
Al Rabee Primary Healthcare Center is one of the largest in the western side of Mosul. Before IS occupation, the center served some 500 patients per day in an area populated with about 39,000 people.
Currently it receives about 100 patients per day. However this number is expected to increase as more people return home, the statement said.
"The completion of these sites wouldn't have been possible without the generous contribution of our donors. We're extremely grateful to the UAE, Poland and the Netherlands for their continued support to stabilizing Iraq," Ahmed added.
"Approximately 827 stabilization projects have been completed or are underway by UNDP in Mosul, including restoring water and electricity networks, rebuilding educational institutions and healthcare facilities, providing employment for locals to clear rubble from streets, and rehabilitating 15,000 houses," according to the statement.
