Iceland review - 2012, Page 64

62 ICELAND REVIEW
cooking facilities. Within the collaboration,
preliminary research will be conducted and
areas will be mapped in terms of geothermal
resource potential and its possible utilization,
a so-called pre-feasibility study. The next
step will be to undertake exploratory drill-
ing where feasible. Resource estimation and
risk assessment for geothermal development
is currently the major obstacle to utilization.
In order for the cooperation to work, various
important financial institutions and major
donor countries will be invited to join the
“Compact,” a consortium of countries and
agencies in support of co-funding of the
exploratory drilling. Secondly, we will join
the World Bank in enhancing the capacity
of global energy experts in working within
geothermal development. We strongly feel
that the Compact illustrates how Iceland’s
expertise can be of importance globally, even
if we are a small country.”
María Erla then goes on to describe that
in relation to peace-building and humanitar-
ian aid, Iceland has seconded civilian experts
to work with various multilateral organiza-
tions. “For example, this year we have sent
five civilian experts to the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission
in Afghanistan and three experts to the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA). Furthermore, we have also sent
one expert to UN Women in Sarajevo, one
health expert to UNICEF, who is working
in the Gaza strip on a maternal health and
neo-natal care project, and one expert to
the United Nations World Food Programme,
who is working in Malawi on the WFP
school feeding program.
Seeing just how comprehensive Iceland’s
work in this field is, one has to wonder how it
is possible when the nation is still recovering
from a major financial crisis. “Understandably,
the 2008 financial collapse impacted Iceland’s
ability to contribute to development cooper-
ation. Budget cuts forced Iceland to decrease
the number of countries it supports as well
as close offices around the world,” María
Erla explains. “However, the new Strategy
for International Development Cooperation
shows that we are back on track and ready to
contribute to the fight against poverty and to
work towards improved living conditions in
the least developed countries.” 
POLITICs
Primary schools in Mangochi district, Malawi.
The inaguration of Monkey Bay Community Hospital, donated
by the Icelandic people.
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs visits the maternity ward
at Monkey Bay Community Hospital in Mangochi district.
A scene from the inaugural festivities.