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86 | Mission Reviewsis also funding a project developed with the assistanceof UNAMI to build the Iraqi Ministry ofHuman Rights’ capacity in mass grave excavationand the identification of missing persons.Development, Humanitarian Affairsand Human RightsAlthough this review concentrates on the politicaldimensions of UNAMI’s work, the mission andUN Country Team (UNCT) is also engaged ina wide range of humanitarian and developmentactivities. These have not always been closely coordinated,and on taking over as SRSG, Ad Melkertdeclared his intention to make the activities of themission and the UNCT more fully integrated. InMay 2010 UNAMI’s Deputy Representative of theSecretary-General (DSRSG), Christine McNab(who is triple-hatted as the DSRSG, ResidentCoordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator)oversaw the completion of the first UN DevelopmentAssistance Framework with Iraq, projectedto see the disbursement of $186 billion on nearly3,000 projects over four years. Senior UN officialshave argued the organization’s interactions withIraq will increasingly focus on development ratherthan political issues. 5Iraq’s humanitarian situation remainschallenging, with approximately 1.55 millioninternally displaced persons in the country andover two million Iraqi refugees abroad. UNAMIwas heavily involved in bringing aid to the displacedduring its period based in Amman from2003-7 and continues to work closely with otherUN agencies in dealing with the problem. Whilet<strong>here</strong> is no longer a humanitarian emergency inthe country, pockets of vulnerability remain andhumanitarian needs are grossly under-funded.In July 2010, DSRSG McNab revealed thatonly $22.3 million out of $187.7 million the UNhad requested for relief operations in Iraq hadbeen received.UNAMI’s human rights office – which isinstitutionally separated from the political arm ofthe mission – releases reports every six months onthe country, and also reports to the Office of theHigh Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.In 2009, UNAMI gave the authorities technicalAd Melkert (left), Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, isgreeted by the United Nations Guard Unit upon arrival to the United NationsAssistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) office in Baghdad, Iraq, 18 July 2009.support prior to Iraq’s first appearance at the UniversalPeriodic Review (UPR) at the UN HumanRights Council, and also backed a series of UPRrelatedcivil society projects.UNAMI also monitors the situation of membersof the People’s Mujahideen Organization of Iran (ananti-Tehran militia) at Camp Ashraf, north of Baghdadfollowing the incidents in July 2009 surroundingthe Government of Iraq’s attempt to establish apolice station in the camp which resulted in violencethat left 11 dead and over 300 injured. As aresult, UNAMI conducted a fact-finding mission – adecision that mission staff believed required considerablepolitical courage on the part of SRSG deMistura – and has kept a humanitarian monitoringpresence at the camp since then.ConclusionWhile UNAMI has taken a significant part inIraq’s political evolution since 2007, this is notcertain to continue. One reason for this is basicsecurity: although the mission is guarded by a contingentof 223 Fijian troops, its ability to maneuveraround Iraq has depended on US forces. Withthe US departure looming, UNAMI has investedin new security measures for its headquarters inBaghdad, requested more armored vehicles andair assets to allow it to operate securely and discussedreceiving protection from Iraqi forces withthe government.UN Photo/Rick Bajornas