الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية — العراق: نشرة حقائق رقم 9، 22 كانون الأول 2004

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE December 22, 2004 This report highlights overall accomplishments and weekly activities from USAIDís reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. Contents: Electricity....................................................... 2 Water and Sanitation .................................... 3 Economic Governance................................. 4 Agriculture..................................................... 5 Education ...................................................... 6 Democracy and Governance........................7 Elections Update ...........................................8 Community Action Program.........................9 Completed Activities.....................................10 Financial Summary .......................................11 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraqís Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovern- mental organizations, and private sector partners. The USAID mission in Iraq carries out programs in education, health care, food security, infrastructure reconstruction, airport management, economic growth, community development, democracy and governance, and transition initiatives. Photo: A computer training course for women staff of an Iraqi university USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Electricity December 22, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAIDís goals include the emergency repair or rehabilitation of power genera- tion facilities and electrical grids. Teams of engineers from the Ministry of Electricity, USAID, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working since May of 2003 to restore capacity to Iraqís power system. • By October, 2003, reha- bilitated electric power ca- pacity to produce peak ca- pacity greater than the pre- war level of 4,400 MW. Hit 5,365 MW on August 18, 2004. Highlights this week: • USAID is designing a Power Plant Operations and Maintenance program to provide training, facility assessments, coaching, mentoring, maintenance and plant outage support for Iraqís power plants. The program will also furnish test equipment, special tools, permanent plant equipment, materials, and parts. The goal of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) training is to establish a tradition of best operational practices and modern management techniques at Iraqís power plants, water treatment facilities, and other utilities. Ultimately, the im- plementation of this program would raise the overall operating standards, safety standards, and the reliability of the plant output, thus enabling more megawatt hours to be produced. Training will be provided for 250 staff from the Ministry of Electricity and will be conducted outside of Iraq. ◊ Recently, reviews of six power plant assessment reports were completed and it was anticipated that the remaining reports would be submitted soon. Train- ing was tentatively set to start as early as January 15, 2005. USAID assis- tance was requested to help the Ministry of Electricity focus the O&M pro- gram on Doura Power Plant, where work currently involves restarting Gen- erator Units 5 & 6. A meeting will be held to discuss how to implement the request for targeted O&M training assistance for the Doura plant. A roving team will also be organized to provide assistance and guidance for on-the-job trainiing, mentoring and coaching. The formal review of the plan for out-of- country training will be initiated soon. • Since achieving record power production in Sum- mer ë04, the Ministry of Elec- tricityówith assistance from USAIDóhas begun the standard Fall maintenance process which will necessar- ily reduce the amount of power available for con- sumption. USAID worked with the MOE to conduct last Fallís maintenance program. • Repairing thermal units, replacing turbines, rehabili- tating the power distribution network, and installing and restoring generators. • USAID has added 535 MW of capacity through maintenance and rehabilita- tion work, and also repaired a 400 KV transmission line. • USAID and the Ministry of Electricity are working with partners to add a total of more than 1,281 MW to the national grid by December 2005 through maintenance, rehabilitation, and new gen- eration projects. • USAID completed a pro- ject to convert two units that produce 80 MW each to operate on crude/heavy fuel oil instead of diesel which is in short supply. • Most recently, USAID has initiated a project to rehabili- tate 13 existing substations and construct 24 new sub- stations in Baghdad. These 37 substations will improve the distribution and reliability of electricity for more than two million Baghdad resi- dents. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 2 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Water and Sanitation December 22, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAIDís goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially those in the south where water quan- tity and quality are particularly low. An anticipated 11.8 million Iraqis will benefit from USAIDís $600 million in water and sanitation projects. Highlights this week: • Work is moving forward on the expansion and rehabilitation of a water treatment plant in Baghdad. The plant is one of two main water treatment plants that serve 4.7 million Baghdad residents. Work is being conducted in two concurrent phases that will add about 100 MGD of capacity. Recent Phase 1 expansion work included instal- lation of lighting, electrical work, and first floor concrete placement in the chlorine building. Under Phase 2, a Limited Notice of Proceed was authorized to procure raw water screens, clarifiers and sand filters. • A water system rehabilitation and modeling project is helping to reduce leakage and thereby improve the quantity of potable water delivered in Baghdad. The project scope includes data collection, numerical modeling of Baghdadís water distribution network, and replacement of damaged sections of the pipe in the distribution network. To date, assessments have been completed and subcontractors have installed 20.5 kilometers of water line. This represents 28% of the water mains under the current scope of work. The water system rehabilitation is 10% finished and is scheduled for completion in December 2005. • Work is continuing on the rehabilitation of a wastewater treatment plant in An Najaf that will treat sewage for approximately 141,000 of the cityís 563,000 residents. The project is 85 percent complete and a Process and Plant Operation training module is in progress. Two of four biofilter distribution arms have been received and will be installed. Work is continuing on installing penstocks at an inlet pump station and pip- ing and pumps are being installed at Pump Stations 1 and 2. The plant is scheduled for completion in February 2005. • USAIDís rural water initiative will install approximately 150 wells in remote loca- tions throughout Iraq. Since construction began in October, the project has drilled 25 wells in northeastern Iraq and workers are preparing to complete 15 more in December. Equipment including 52 generators, 600 fiberglass tanks, and 37 reverse osmosis units has been or- dered. Design work is scheduled for completion in all 17 governorates by August 2005 and is expected to bene- fit a total of 750,000 individuals. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2005. • Nationwide: Repaired various sewage lift stations and water treatment units. • Baghdad: Expanding one water treatment plant to increase capacity by ap- proximately 50 million gal- lons per day and rehabilitat- ing sewage treatment plants. ◊ A major wastewater treatment plant in Baghdad began operating in June of 2004; this is the first major sewage plant in the country to operate in over 12 years. ◊ The sewage treatment system in Baghdad, barely functioning for years before the conflict, will be restored to almost 100-percent ca- pacity, serving 80 percent of Baghdadís population. ◊ Standby generators are being installed at 41 Bagh- dad water facilities. • South: Rehabilitating parts of the Sweet Water Canal system, including repairing breaches, clean- ing the main reservoir, and refurbishing 14 water treat- ment plants around Basrah serving 1.75 million people. • South Central: Rehabili- tating two water plants and four sewage plants. ◊ Completed the rehabilita- tion of a sewage plant in Babil Governorate ◊ Sewage plants in An Najaf, Al Qadisiyah, Kar- balaí, and Babil Gover- norates will serve 440,000 upon completion. ◊ Water treatment in Najaf and Babil will serve resi- dents and visitors at Iraqís holiest shrines. • North: Rehabilitating two water plants and one sew- age plant near Mosul and Kirkuk. Workers prepare to drill a new well as part of USAIDís rural water initiative. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 3 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Economic Governance December 7, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID supports sustainable economic reforms in Iraq including examining and reforming laws, regulations, and institutions and providing a framework for pri- vate sector trade, commerce, and investment. The reforms will strengthen the Central Bank and the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Commerce and Industryó among others. Highlights this week: • Tax Administration: IEG II advisors are continuing development of a new auto- mated tax accounting module that will maintain tax accounts of all payers of sales tax. The procurement process is moving forward with a new tax revenue manage- ment system; responses to a Request for Information have been received and these responses will be reviewed and vendors selected to participate in a Request for Proposals in early 2005. In partnership with an Iraqi training provider, IEG II staff are developing a course outline for basic network technology training, which is a prerequisite for more advanced training to take place in Amman, Jordan. An Ara- bic version of 2004 wage withholding instructions from the Iraqi General Com- mission for Tax has been finalized, providing accurate, international-standard in- structions for Iraqi employers. • Tax Policy: IEG II staff recently drafted and delivered to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) a policy paper on the timing and planning for the introduction of a new sales tax. IEG II also completed and delivered to the MoF a paper on the timing of a mobile phone user tax. • Customs Reform: IEG II advisors completed a review of Iraqís automated recon- struction levy system, which charges a 5% tariff on all imports to finance recon- struction, and delivered it to the Deputy Minister of Finance. IEG II is also work- ing with partners to rectify software issues and design a training curriculum for Iraqi customs staff. In a recent meeting with representatives of Iraqís General Commission for Customs (GCC), IEG II agreed to draft a GCC modernization strategy. • Staff of USAIDís Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) program are laying the groundwork for a series of activities in northern Iraq that will work with Iraqis to establish local business centers and business training programs in the area. During the last week, VEGA worked to build awareness of its initiatives in three regional cities: Arbil, Kirkuk, and As Sulaymaniyah. Foundations were set for future alliances and partnerships with: one existing Iraqi business center in each of the three cities, a regional NGO, and other USAID partners. As the pro- gram moves forward, VEGA will work with Iraqis to use the existing Iraqi busi- ness centers as a base for training activities. Training modules, now in develop- ment, will include instruction in business planning, loan packaging, senior banker training, advocacy, furniture, grocery, beekeeping, and veterinarian business ac- tivities. Data has been gathered for a business assessment, and analysis and rec- ommendations are now being developed. These recommenda- tions will form the content of future training activities. • Worked with the Ministry of Finance to introduce the new Iraqi dinar. • Created more than 77,000 public works jobs through the National Em- ployment Program. • Provided technical assis- tance on accounting, budg- eting and lending activities at Iraqís commercial banks. • Improved statistical analy- sis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision proce- dures at Iraqís Central Bank. • Provided technical assis- tance for CPAís $21 million microcredit program. • Provided technical assis- tance for the Oil for Food transition to prepare Iraqi ministries to assume re- sponsibility for OFF con- tracts. • Evaluated and updated commercial laws on private sector and foreign invest- ment. • Assisted in developing the reconstruction levy in col- laboration with the CPA and the UK Customs Service; this levy imposes a five percent tariff on imports to Iraq. • Developed a government- wide IT strategy to support the automation of planning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • Provided technical assis- tance as well as information on contracting opportunities for Iraqi businesses through business centers. • Provided technical sup- port for the re-opening of the Iraq Stock Exchange after it was closed down for more than 15 months; 3.6 billion Iraqi dinars ($2.4 million USD) in shares were traded in the first day. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 4 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Agriculture December 22, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAIDís goals are to work in conjunction with Iraqi ministries, the private sec- tor, and higher education institutions to revitalize agricultural production, stimulate income and employment generation, nurture rural initiatives, and re- habilitate the natural resource base. • Summer and Winter Crop Technology Demonstrations: These demonstrations are introducing farmers to new technologies and techniques through extension field days. Highlights this week: • The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and USAIDís Agricultural Reconstruction and Development Program for Iraq (ARDI) are working to improve mechanization of Iraqi farming. The Case New Holland Iraq (CNHI) Company, a new joint ven- ture between two Iraqi companies with nationwide coverage, is the first of several local companies expected to participate in the MOA/ARDI Mechanization Pro- gram. The program will conduct an inventory of the estimated stock of non- operating farm equipment in the country. CNHI, MOA and ARDI will together conduct the survey of Case New Holland equipment in six regions: Baghdad, Bas- rah, Arbil, Kirkuk, Mosul and Karbalaí. These regions are estimated to include 4,000 tractors and 1,000 combines. The Basrah facility is fully operational and the facility in Arbil is six months from completion. Other sites are in planning or un- der construction. • The Ministry of Agriculture in Arbil has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with ARDI to carry out a survey of the poultry industry in Arbil and Dohuk Gov- ernorates. ARDI is also organizing a similar survey of the poultry industry in As Sulaymaniyah. The survey seeks to assess the performance of the poultry sector and how it has adapted to rapidly changing circumstances in the past couple of years. This information will enable policy makers in Iraq to formulate better poli- cies, and will help farmers and private sector entrepreneurs to make better busi- ness decisions. The survey will take place over the next eight weeks, and a report is expected in February 2005, profiling the commercial poultry sector as well as traditional, backyard poultry-raising practiced in villages. • Four organizations including ARDI are collaborating to help 82 farmers reintro- ducing beekeeping activities in two villages in As Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Bee-keeping is considered by farmers to be an important source of family income. Under this activity, one farmer in each village will receive intensive training in maintenance and operations of beekeeping. These trained farmers will then serve as trainers for the other participat- ing farmers and future beekeepers in the area. The project will in- crease the quality and quantity of honey production, raise beekeepersí income, and create new income- generating opportunities. • Animal Health: Several veterinary clinics in Kirkuk, Fallujah, and other cities are being renovated and a grant has been made for dipping tanks to improve sheep health and wool. • Technology Support: The Ministry of Agriculture and a major universityís schools of Agriculture and Veterinary Science have been awarded grants to furnish and equip computer centers, improving research capabilities and consulting capacity. • Date Palm Propagation: In collaboration with the Minis- try of Agriculture, 40,000 elite date palm offshoots are being used to establish mother orchards in 13 gov- ernorates as part of a multi- plication program and the establishment of a national register of elite varieties. • Agriculture Sector Transi- tion Plan: This plan, com- pleted in mid-April, ad- dresses the short-term re- covery of agricultural infra- structure as well as medium and long-term implementa- tion of policies to develop a market-based agricultural economy. Beekeeping supplies reach farmers in As Sulaymaniyah governorate. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 5 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Education December 22, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAIDís goals are to increase enrollment, improve the quality of primary and secondary education, ensure classrooms have sufficient supplies, facilitate com- munity involvement, train teachers, implement accelerated learning programs, and establish partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi colleges and universities. Highlights this week: • USAIDís Higher Education and Development (HEAD) program is working to help Iraqís higher education institutions get the support they need to meet international standards and educate Iraqís young people. In partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, USAID is supporting five university partnerships with U.S.-led consortia, each with a unique focus. Recent developments in three of these partnerships are described below. ◊ A third Iraqi research center now has access to an electronic library database, allow- ing the center to use a vast body of research and learning tools. The database, cre- ated by EBSCO Publishing, provides access to over 8,000 academic journals, maga- zines, and other publications. This initiative is supported by the Al Sharaka Univer- sity partnership, a consortium of four American and five Iraqi universities, which focuses on institutional academic and leadership strengthening. ◊ A partnership between the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and Iraqi universities is helping modernize the fields of archaeology, Assyriology and environmental health and to reconnect academics in these disciplines to the in- ternational community. Currently four Iraqi graduate students are studying at SUNY and others will attend international conferences. ◊ Through a partnership between the University of Hawaiiís College of Tropical Agri- culture and Human Resources, and two northern Iraqi universities, the Hawaii Insti- tute for Educational Partnerships (HIEP) performed 31 searches for 22 researchers from three northern Iraqi universities and delivered 120 articles electronically in November. HIEP will conduct a library information research skills course in late December for the Iraqi scholars and students visiting the University of Hawaii. ◊ The same partnership involving the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agri- culture and Human Resources is providing training in computer and internet skills to 20 women agricultural staff from an Iraqi University. The participants in the three- week training course are from the Soil and Water Resource department, the Animal Science department, the Forestry depart- ment, the Horticulture department, and the university library staff. Women are able to maximize their benefit from this training in an environment that specifi- cally focuses on their needs. • Facilities ◊ Awarded 627 grants worth more than $6 million to rehabilitate schools and equip Directorates General. ◊ Rehabilitated 2,405 schools countrywide. • Supplies ◊ Distributed desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and kits for primary and secon- dary schools countrywide. ◊ Printed and distributed 8.7 million revised math and science textbooks to grades 1-12 by mid-February 2004. • Institutional Strengthening ◊ Completed a major initia- tive that trained nearly 33,000 secondary school teachers and administrators, including 860 master train- ers, nationwide. ◊ Conducted a pilot acceler- ated learning program in five Iraqi cities to allow out-of- school children to complete two school years in one year. More than 550 stu- dents participated. ◊ Assisted the Ministry in establishing official baseline education data for Iraq. • Higher Education ◊ Awarded five grants worth $20.7 million to create part- nerships between U.S. and Iraqi universities. Through these partnerships, Iraqi universities are rebuilding infrastructure; re-equipping university facilities; partici- pating in international con- ferences; attending work- shops and refresher courses; and reforming cur- riculum. A computer training course for women staff of an Iraqi university. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 6 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Democracy and Governance December 22, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAIDís goals in the Democracy and Governance sector include promoting representative citizen participation in governance at the national and subna- tional level; supporting the administration of transparent and credible electoral processes; strengthening the management skills of national, city and provincial administrations and civic institutions; promoting advocacy and participation of civil society organizations; enhancing leadership skills; and serving as a re- cruiting tool for future leaders. Highlights this Week: • Salah Ad Dinís Local Governance Program (LGP) staff held three democracy educa- tion conferences for 225 Iraqis. These conferences focused on human rights and the relationship between Islam and democracy. Local residents heard from guest speakers and community leaders and then engaged in a discussion that raised several points, including: ◊ Media programs are needed to educate Iraqi citizens about human rights and democ- ratic principles; ◊ The future Iraqi Government should make implementing human rights laws a top priority; ◊ Women should have full rights while taking into consideration Islamic values and traditions; ◊ Iraqís democracy should be tailored to suit Islamic traditions and values; ◊ Religious leaders should play a major role in disseminating democratic principles; and ◊ Citizens are more concerned about security than democracy and elections. • The Ninawa Governorate Council Secretariat received computers and furniture sup- plied by LGP. This essential equipment will enable the office to increase community outreach and improve its overall professional reputation. An assessment of computer training needs will be coordinated by a local Iraqi university and LGP. • Officials and staff from local councils and government departments in Babil Gover- norate participated in week-long computer training workshops facilitated by LGP. Engineers from the Irrigation, Water, and Public Works departments are learning how to use specialized software such as AutoCAD, which is essential for engineering drawing and design. Non-technical staff members are being trained in the use of com- puter software in strategic planning and management. • At the request of the Iraqi Interim National Council (INC), USAID is supporting sev- eral administrative training projects for INC members and their staff. A budget train- ing session was held in Baghdad, led by senior trainers including a former UN- appointed Minister of Finance in East Timor. Improving the financial capacity of the Council is important because the INC is responsible for the oversight of the Iraqi In- terim Government and the approval of its budget. INCís 33 support staff will also re- ceive training in accounting, project planning and office management. This staff training will continue after the election for the new Transitional National Assembly (TNA). • Established regional of- fices in Al Basrah, Al Hillah, Baghdad, and Mosul and operations in all gover- norates. • Awarded $15.5 million in rapid-response grants in the first program year to strengthen the capacity of municipal authorities to de- liver core municipal ser- vices. The grants were used to restore services in agri- culture, education, health, electricity, sanitation, and water. • Facilitated the establish- ment or refreshment of 16 governorate councils, 90 district councils, 194 city or sub-district councils, and 445 neighborhood councils. • Organized and carried out numerous selection proc- esses for governors and mayors, as well as local council elections, throughout Iraq. • Committed more than $2.4 million for the nation- wide Civic Education Cam- paign, which educated Iraqis on democracy and Iraqís political situation. Rehabilitated and refur- bished government facilities. • Supported preparation of 2004 city council budgets in Baghdad, Mosul, Al Hillah, Babil, and An Najaf. • More than 28,500 democ- racy dialogues have been conducted to date. • Supporting a series of National Agenda Dialogue Conferences, which engage stakeholders such as aca- demics, journalists, women, tribal leaders, and local government officials in dis- cussions on their roles in Iraqís democracy. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 7 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Elections Update December 22, 2004 Governorate Council Elections Regulations USAID support of elections is provided at the request of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and in direct coordination with UN activities. Consistent with USAIDís policy with regard to supporting elections, USAID ac- tivities in Iraq make a good faith effort to assist all political organizations with equitable levels of assistance, do not seek to determine election outcomes, and support representative multiparty systems. An NGO working with USAID included Arabic and Kurdish versions of the following ques- tions and answers in a recent political party newsletter for Iraqi political groups. ◊ When will the election for the Governorate Councils be held? There will be an election for Governorate Councils in USAID has awarded a cooperative agreement to the Consortium for Election and Politi- cal Processes Strengthening (CEPPS) which includes three US NGOs. This agreement has a $50 million ceiling, of which $23 million has been obligated to date. Within this electoral processes grant USAID seeks to achieve the following: ◊ Educate voters and promote participation in the electoral process ◊ Build the capacity of domestic organizations responsible for elections monitoring ◊ Support efforts to monitor and mitigate electoral conflict USAID also awarded a $40 million cooperative agreement to an NGO supporting the Independent Election Commission in Iraq's (IECI) development of an election admini- stration to implement the transitional elections cycle, which includes the January 2005 elections, the October 2005 Constitutional Referendum, and the December 2005 Na- tional Assembly Elections. Highlights this week: • A USAID partner NGO issued its third Political Party Newsletter. Produced in both Arabic and Kurdish, the newsletter addresses many of the questions that political par- ties regarding governorate-level elections and out-of-country voting. This NGO is also in the process of distributing 3,000 Arabic CD-Rom versions of the Campaign Academy training materials. These CD-Roms are given to all parties and their mem- bers who have asked for training material in order to facilitate the sharing of training information with their wider party membership. In addition, these training tools are being distributed to a broad cross-section of political entities who have not yet at- tended training workshops. • A local NGO partner recently conducted a three-and-a-half hour information-sharing seminar for 213 students at a major Iraqi university. The event was funded by USAID and was organized with the intent to help youth gain a better understanding of laws and procedures for the January 30 Elections. The seminar outlined the importance of youth participation and mechanisms for ensuring free and fair elections. This activity is one of the many ways in which USAID is partnering with local non-governmental organizations to support Iraqi civil society. • For more information on the upcoming elections, please visit the website of the Iraqi Election Information Network. EIN is an NGO coordinating elections support across Iraq. www.iraqiein.org/english every governorate of Iraq, on the same day as the National As- sembly election and the Kurdi- stan national assembly election (January 30th 2005). ◊ How many members will be elected to each Council? The Baghdad council will have 51 seats; other councils will have 41 seats each. ◊ How will the Governorate Councils be elected? Each governorate will be a single electoral district for the purpose of this election. In each gover- norate council all seats will be allocated among the political entities through a system of proportional representation. ◊ Who will be eligible to vote in the governorate election? Voters must be Iraqis born on or before 31 December 1986 and registered with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) as a resident in the appro- priate governorate. ◊ Who will be eligible to be a candidate for the governorate council? Candidates must be 30 years of age, shall not have been a member of the Baíath Party with the rank of Division Member or higher, shall not have been a member of the agencies of repression or been involved in persecution of citi- zens, shall not have enriched themselves through illegal activi- ties, shall have a good reputa- tion, shall have at least a secon- dary school diploma, and shall not be a member of the armed forces at the time of nomination. In addition, a candidate must be a resident of the governorate and not be a contestant for any other office. ◊ How will the candidates be nominated? Political entities and coalitions must be regis- tered with the IECI. The list of candidates must be ranked in order, and no fewer than one out of the first three candidates must be a woman, no fewer than two out of the first six must be a woman, three out of the first nine, and so on. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 8 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Community Action Program December 22, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date The Community Action Program (CAP) works in rural and urban communities across Iraq to promote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through partner NGOs and in consultation with local government rep- resentatives, USAID is creating representative, participatory community groups to identify critical priorities and implement programs to address those needs. • USAID has committed over $104 million to 2,183 projects while Iraqi communities have committed more than 25% of total funding. CAP has estab- lished over 670 community associations in 17 governorates. Five U.S. NGOs each concen- trate on a region: north, Bagh- Highlights this week: • A secondary school serving 700 girls in Baghdad Governorate was rehabili- tated by a $55,330 CAP project. The school suffered from years of neglect and was looted in 2003. Through this project, the aging facility underwent both renovations and modernizations, including a major overhaul of the schoolís plumbing, wiring and fixtures. Finally, the school received a new coat of paint, windows and doors. Before this project local students either were taught in the ruins of the school or attended classes in one of four nearby neighbor- hoods. Twenty teachers now hold classes at the new facility. • In Qadisiyah Governorate three school rehabilitation projects were recently approved by Community Action Groups in Qadisiyah Governorate. The pro- jects will benefit a total of 900 families and 1,575 children. The estimated pe- riod of time to complete these projects is 70 days. During this period, local communities will provide labor and furnish guards at the school sites. The pro- jects will repair roofs, windows and doors; provide basic furniture; and install potable water and sanitation facilities. Improving the conditions of schools will encourage more local families to send their children to school. • A newly completed $28,028 project implemented by a USAID partner in Baghdad has generated long-term jobs for more than 50 local residents. The neighborhoodís Community Action Group designed and constructed a commu- nity market with 11 vendor stalls to sell vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and other foodstuffs. Local government officials donated the 400 square meter plot of land valued at $43,900. Previously residents traveled for miles to reach the nearest marketplace. This project is particularly important because job crea- tion is a critical part of improving Iraqís difficult security environment. dad, southwest central, south- east central, and south. ◊ The northern program fo- cuses on the conflict prone areas of the Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and the Iran-Iraq border. The partner NGO has completed 271 projects with over $11 million in total project commitments including estab- lishing a youth center in Hawija, improving the Tikrit water sup- ply, and developing income generation projects in the north. ◊ In the southwest central region, the partner NGO has established a strong presence in the Shiíi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, as well as Hillah through active community asso- ciations. A strong emphasis on critical infrastructure needs has provided these communities with sewage and water services, improved schools, and repaired vital social infrastructure. They have completed 219 projects and have over $13.5 million in project commitments. ◊ Income generation is an important emphasis in the Bagh- dad program where 289 projects have been completed through community action groups. A marketplace for over 700 ven- dors is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste dumps and educating medical personnel on proper disposal methods. Total project commitments are $16.2 million. ◊ In the southeast central re- gion, 125 projects are complete with a total of $13.7 million in commitments. In the Shiíi heart- land, these projects address needs resulting from decades of government neglect and focus on water, sewerage, community clean-up, and school rehabilita- tion. ◊ The southern program has completed 378 projects through 138 community action groups which average 40% womenís participation. Projects have focused primarily on immediate community needs such as sew- age clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and girlsí access to education. Total project commitments are $15.9 million. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 9 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Completed Activities December 22, 2004 Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport and to restore significant portions of Iraqís telecommunications network. USAID also helped avert a humanitar- ian crisis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nationsí World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribution of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. Seaport: • USAIDís $45 million programs to rehabilitate and improve management at the port were completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-draft ships; maintenance dredging is ongoing. • Applied port tariffs on June 20, 2003. • Renovated the grain-receiving facility to process 600 MT of grain an hour. • Renovated the administration building, passenger terminal, customs hall, and electrical substations. Telecommunications: • Audited more than 1,200 km of the fiber optic backbone network and performed emergency repairs, reconnecting 20 cities and 70% of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed 13 new switches, and fully integrated them with the 14 existing switches. • Ministry of Communications reactivated more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdadís largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained ITPC engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway sys- tem and the new switches. Food Security: • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distribution System (PDS) in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. • With Iraqi food distributors, Food for Peace, the WFP, and Coalition Forces maintained deliveries from June through December 2003 in all 18 governorates. • Played a key role in an agreement between the WFP, CPA, and the MoT that provided the WFP with the resources and authority to continue to support the PDS through June 2004. • In partnership with the United States Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distri- bution System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 10 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary December 22, 2004 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation RECONSTRUCTION USAID/ANE....................................................................................................................Subtotal: $3,684,930,143 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 Army Corps of Engineers Architecture and Engineering services Countrywide $31,328,264 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Louis Berger Group Vocational Education Countrywide $27,200,000 Louis Berger Group Private Sector Development II Countrywide $60,000,000 Bechtel National Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, rail- roads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sani- tation Countrywide $1,029,833,259 Bechtel National Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency communica- tions, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanitation, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,316,809,782 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $155,580,000 DAI Marshlands Dhi Qar Al Basrah Maysan $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $71,934,921 Fed Source Personnel Support Countrywide $300,000 IRG Reconstruction Support Countrywide $51,698,152 RTI Local Governance Countrywide $236,911,000 Americaís Development Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 11 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary December 22, 2004 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation CEPPS Transitional Government Countrywide $20,700,000 CEPPS Voter Education, Domestic Observation and Conflict Resolution Countrywide $23,000,000 CEPPS Elections Administration Support Countrywide $40,000,000 UNICEF Health, Water, and Sanitation Countrywide $36,700,000 UNICEF Education Countrywide $19,600,000 UNESCO Textbook Printing and Distribution: Math and Science Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Strengthen Health System Countrywide $10,000,000 SSA Port Management Umm Qasr $14,318,985 SkyLink Airport Management Baghdad, Al Basrah, Mosul $27,200,000 MSI Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $5,038,772 CHF International Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $461,228 University Partners • The Research Foundation of the State University of New York/Stony Brook and the Universities of Chicago, Boston, and Oxford • The Human Rights Institute, DePaul University College of Law, and Italyís International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences • University of Hawaii, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, University of Jordan and the American University in Beirut • Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Benetech, US-Iraq Business Resources • University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Cameron University, and Langston University Various universities coun- trywide $20,730,000 Yankee Group Telecoms Planning Countrywide $58,150 VEGA Business Skills Training Countrywide $12,089,702 UNDP Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 World Bank Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 EMERGENCY RELIEF USAID/DCHA/OFDA........................................................................................................................$114,688,229 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $7,633,952 AirServ Logistics Countrywide $5,309,876 ARC Capacity building Al Basrah $537,746 CARE IDP Assistance, Quick-impact projects, Water and Sanitation, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities Countrywide $9,043,148 The Cuny Center Research studies Countrywide $40,260 GOAL Coordination, Nutrition Al Muthannaí $1,507,900 USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 12 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary December 22, 2004 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation InterAction Coordination Kuwait City $92,860 IDA Health Countrywide $1,318,437 IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Capacity building Countrywide $17,952,898 IOM IDP Assistance, Coordination Countrywide $6,545,780 IRC IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,000,411 Logistics Emergency Relief Commodities and USAID/DART Support Countrywide $22,553,653 Mercy Corps IDP Assistance, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities, Shelter, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,699,786 SCF/US Food Security, Health, IDP Assistance, Shelter, Nutrition, Emergency Relief Commodities, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $7,957,783 UNICEF Health, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $4,000,000 OCHA Coordination and Information Countrywide $1,200,000 USAID/Jordan Support for Emergency Water Activities Countrywide $500,000 WFP Food Security, Logistics Countrywide $5,000,000 World Vision Health, Logistics, Emergency Relief Commodities, Water/ Sanitation Countrywide $6,793,739 USAID/DCHA/FFP..............................................................................................................................$425,571,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $45,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust ñ 81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 480 Title II emergency food commodities ñ 163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchase ñ 330,000 MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTI..............................................................................................................................$333,097,590 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $24,829,977 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $290,810,533 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 Radio SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 NDI/IRI National Governance Countrywide $650,000 IFES National Governance Countrywide $1,042,315 ICNL Civil Society Countrywide $39,238 Spa War** Inter-Ministry Communications Countrywide $8,703,001 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ FROM 2003-2005.........................................................$4,558,286,962 * Figures in funding sheet are subject to change and do not represent a final official accounting of USG obligations. ** For accounting purposes, funding for this activity has been obligated by OFDA under an existing interagency agreement. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 13