After a decade of enduring the hardships of war and displacement, Samer Hassan Muhsen, a 40-year-old father of five, has returned to his hometown of Mosul, in Iraq. He is now contributing to rebuilding the city and supporting the return of other families. 

The war against ISIL left Mosul deeply scarred, with entire communities struggling to recover. Home to the city of Mosul, the Ninewa Governorate remains at the forefront of Iraq’s displacement crisis, hosting approximately 240,000 internally displaced persons out of the country’s 1.1 million. Ninewa also faces a housing crisis, shouldering 28 per cent of Iraq’s estimated 3 million housing units deficit.

2025 marks the 22nd year since the onset of the protracted conflict following the collapse of Iraq’s former government. The need for recovery, sustainable solutions, and a clear path toward long-term development has never been more pressing.

Beyond return: Community-led recovery

In Iraq, stabilization efforts in the liberated areas have focused on security, restoring of basic living conditions, and the empowerment of communities to generate livelihoods.

Through a partnership between UN-Habitat, local authorities, and the Government of Japan, returnees like Samer were not only enabled to return, but were also empowered to actively contribute to rebuilding their neighbourhoods.

“I benefited from the joint efforts that rebuilt Mosul and made my return possible. Now it’s my turn to contribute to the recovery of the city so that more families like mine can safely return,” Samer says.

Housing for recovery

Samer’s family is among the 324 households provided with safe and dignified housing in the Bab Sinjar Housing Complex. This initiative, part of the “Support to Reconstruction and Peacebuilding in Liberated Cities in Iraq” project, is funded by the Government of Japan and was inaugurated in 2023.

“The Bab Sinjar Housing Complex, where I now reside, has been a lifeline for families like mine, providing a sustainable solution to the housing crisis caused by the war, Samer says. “It is a symbol of hope for our community.”

Focus on empowerment

Having secured a safe and adequate home, Samer sought an opportunity to support his family and contribute to the community. Originally a holder of a computer diploma, he embraced an opportunity to join a carpentry training programme under the Japan Village project, implemented by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Government of Japan the Japanese private sector, including companies such as Toyota.

“The training was an exciting opportunity to acquire new skills while contributing to a project that benefits my family and my community,” the father says.

The Japan Village Project has trained 104 unemployed youth — 61 men and 43 women — in carpentry, blacksmithing, masonry, whitewashing and solar panel maintenance. Many trainees, like Samer, are now employed by local construction partners, demonstrating their acquired skills and rebuilding their livelihoods; they are also using these skills to address their daily needs, including maintaining their own homes and assisting neighbours and relatives.

“With the skills and experience I have gained, I feel confident about opening my own business in the future and offering training to young people seeking new opportunities,” Samer concludes.