When I was last in Iraq in 2015, we drove along the Zab River, which then formed the front line against the Islamic State. Fortunately, this time we were able to drive across the river, between the now abandoned military installations that had previously secured the front line against IS advances, and into the newly liberated villages east of Mosul.
Image right: This redoubt used to defend the front line against ISIS. Now the front has moved to the west.
The sight that greeted us showed that we were in an area that had just been liberated. At the local school, which is currently being renovated, there was a poster warning students not to touch abandoned landmines, bombs and weapons. Demining has been completed, but in a former war zone, dangerous objects may still be found. There were also bullet holes and partially or completely destroyed buildings, showing that ISIS did not give up the cities without a fight.
"The local mayors expressed great thanks - first for the emergency aid while their communities were displaced by ISIS and now as we support them in rebuilding their communities."
Meeting with mayors
However, it was as if the joy of being back in your village, in your home region, completely overcame the sorry state of the infrastructure and some of the buildings.
Thanks in part to support from the Danish European Mission's donors, electricity was now being restored and one of the two local schools had been cleaned up after ISIS' rampage. The next step is for the school to be painted.
The first refugees have already returned to the villages of Tell al-Laban, Kuzahkan, Wardak and Al-Majidia east of Mosul, and Danish European Mission donors are helping to rebuild roads, five schools, two medical clinics and electricity and water supplies, and families with the most damaged houses are receiving building materials to rebuild their homes.
We met with local mayors who thanked us for the help. All aid is mediated through local Christians, so the project is not only a repatriation project, but also a concrete testimony to the displaced that Christians care about their situation and want to walk with them - both when they needed help as displaced people and now that their communities are being rebuilt.
For Christians and displaced people from other backgrounds, the local Christian relief and development workers we support are lighting a light in the darkness ISIS spread - a hope to return home and rebuild their communities. Thank you to everyone who is helping to rebuild the communities of the displaced.
