In post-conflict and fragile countries, physical infrastructure is often damaged, destroyed or inexistent, restricting the capacity for economic recovery. Rehabilitating local infrastructure and improving transport links enables conflict-affected communities to re-engage in economic activities and creates employment opportunities -including for ex-combatants and displaced people. Yet, in Iraq, foreign contractors used capital-intensive methods and labour from South Asia, despite local unemployment rates being 50% (UNDP, 2008).