الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية — العراق: نشرة حقائق رقم 1، 7 تشرين الأول 2005

RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE September 23, 2005 October 7, 2005 The first of several convoys supported by OFDA arrive with relief supplies at a staging point outside of Tel Afar. OFDA partners were the first relief groups to respond to the needs of people evacuated from the city nearby. Contents: Economic Growth ..............................................2 Agriculture.........................................................3 National Governance......................................... 4 Health ................................................................ 5 Education .......................................................... 6 Community Action Program .............................. 7 Transition Initiatives .......................................... 8 Disaster Assistance........................................... 9 Completed Programs ........................................ 10 Financial Summary ........................................... 11 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraq’s Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovernmental organizations and private sector partners. This report highlights USAID’s overall accomplishments and recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WWW.USAID.GOV ECONOMIC GROWTH October 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Assisted the Government of Iraq to develop and submit the first filing in the WTO accession process - the Memorandum of Foreign Trade Regime. • Provided technical assistance and information on contracting opportunities for Iraqi busi- nesses and entrepreneurs through business centers. • Worked with the Ministry of Fi- nance to introduce the new Iraqi dinar. • Created more than 77,000 pub- lic works jobs through the Na- tional Employment Program. • Provided technical assistance and capacity building to three private sector banks to develop their own lending programs. • Trained over 700 Iraqis in Inter- national Accounting Practices. • Assisted in management of $21 million micro-credit program. Provided over 40,000 hours of microfinance training in 2004- 2005. • Improved statistical analysis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision procedures at Iraq’s Central Bank; offered a two-week banking course to Central Bank staff with the Fed- eral Reserve Bank of New York. • Evaluated and updated com- mercial laws on private sector and foreign investment. • Assisted in developing the 5 percent reconstruction levy on imports; built capacity of cus- toms officials to implement levy. • Developed a government-wide IT strategy to automate plan- ning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • Developing the Iraqi Investment Promotion Agency with the Gov- ernment of Iraq. An Iraqi customs official studies new tariff proce- dures during a training class. USAID works with Iraqi institutions to establish an environment for sustainable economic growth. Assistance empowers policy makers to formulate and exe- cute decisions based on economic data, and to implement modern best prac- tices in economic governance. USAID projects provide a framework for pri- vate sector trade, commerce, and investment throughout Iraq. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID’s Izdihar project trains 40 Iraqi customs officials. The re- cently completed project trained Iraqi customs officials from around the country to increase their aware- ness of new methods of revenue collection and their familiarity with World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements. The training was an initial step to assist the Customs Department’s seamless transition to using WTO- accepted tariff and customs valua- tion procedures at border points throughout the nation. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the WTO is the only global organization deal- ing with the rules of trade between nations. It consists of 148 member nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Accession into the WTO would increase Iraq’s foreign direct investment and lay the foundation for a globalized economy. Although actual accession may take years, the economic reforms that Iraq will imple- ment to be eligible for membership promote economic freedom and growth which will stabilize the country’s economy. USAID’s Izdihar project works to provide businesses with reliable access to credit through the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) initiative, en- couraging the growth of sustainable jobs and assisting with investment promo- tion, capital markets, privatization, and trade policy. The Najaf Tourism Center received a business development grant from the Izdihar project. The recently awarded grant will help the Center develop a tourism business management training center in Najaf in the south of Iraq. The Tourism Center will play a leading role in the development of the tourist industry in Najaf, which, along with the nearby city of Karbala, is a pilgrimage destination that already draws hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims each year from all over the world. In part through this grant, the Najaf Tourism Center will offer business man- agement training in tourism and will provide local tourist information, a tourism services database, a small library with tourism books and brochures, confer- ence and meeting facilities, and media and computer capabilities for tourism promotion campaigns. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 AGRICULTURE October 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Wheat Seed Cleaners: 169 seed cleaners have been distributed to 9 NGOs working in 18 gover- norates, and 175 people have been trained in their use. Clean- ing and treating wheat seed has the potential to increase wheat production by up to 25%, while also increasing the percentage that can be used for bread mak- ing. • Water Strategy: Phase One has begun to develop a national water and land use strategy with partici- pation by six ministries. The basic model will be complete within a year, and Iraq will be able to ne- gotiate transboundry water issues with its neighbors. • Veterinary Clinic Rehabilitation: To date, 51 veterinary clinics have been rehabilitated that serve over 130,000 farmer families. • Irrigation Infrastructure Reha- bilitation: A wide range of grants have been given to increase the amount of water available to irri- gate crops by cleaning and/or renovating canals. So far, produc- tivity of nearly 870,000 farmers on 185,000 has been increased due to better availability of water. • Farm Machinery Mechanics: Fully trained 28 mechanics in farm machinery repair, and sup- plied them with tools to set up their own independent shops. • Date Palm Nurseries: Date palm nurseries established in 13 gover- norates that will produce 410,000 off shoots for new trees a year. The new trees will begin to pump millions of dollars into rural in- comes in about five years when they begin to produce. USAID’s 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 rehabilitate the natural resource base. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Eighty Iraqi farmers participated in Hybrid Tomato Production Program. The program, sponsored by the Agricultural and Reconstruction Development Program for Iraq (ARDI) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), introduces the use of hybrid transplants and plastic-covered tunnels to increase the quantity and quality of tomato production. This is an expansion of the hybrid tomato demonstration program sponsored by ARDI and MoA in 2004. The 2005 tomato production program is comprised of MoA teams that utilize extension, plant production, and a plant protection staff that offers farmers technical assistance in cultivating transplanted tomatoes. Yield per hectare is expected to increase to 40-60 tons. With this knowledge, farmers will be able to compete with and eventually re- place tomato imports which have a strong presence in the Iraqi market and command higher prices, as well as meet the large domestic demand. Due to its year round growing season Iraq can produce large quantities of to- matoes . In the northern governorates, peak tomato production takes place during the hot summer months, while in the southern governorates tomatoes are grown through the year except during these hot months. ARDI and a local partner survey of northern vineyards to identify the best grape rootstock. Grapes grow well in the semi-arid climate and rela- tively steep hillsides of northern Iraq. They provide a crop of relatively high value to the farmer with little investment. With the help of this project, Iraqis will increase their grape production by identifying the best parent plants and then grafting the cuttings to create a new rootstock. First, ARDI will train four teams, whose members will be charged with identify- ing robust rootstock. These teams will visit over 70 villages in the northern three governorates of the country, identify the best plants in the existing vine- yards, and mark those plants for eventual harvest of plant stock. The teams will then conduct an education and extension project to assist farmers to in- tensify cultivation and increase yields. The immediate beneficiaries of this activity are 70 farmers whose vineyards will provide cuttings, at a fair price, for the foundation of private nurseries. The nurseries will sell the cuttings and rootstock at commercial prices. The long- term direct beneficiaries will be hundreds of farm families who will receive new, high-quality plant stock from the nurseries. Included in these farm fami- lies are an estimated 421 people, of whom 216 are female. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 NATIONAL GOVERNANCE October 7, 2005 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES • Strengthen the capacity of the legislative branch of the Iraqi interim and transitional govern- ments and its staff during the interim and transition period to include lawmaking, representa- tion, executive oversight, and other responsibilities as pro- vided by the Transitional Admin- istrative Law. • Assist the Executive Authority, the Presidency Council, and the Council of Ministers and its pre- siding Prime Minister to develop governing processes, rules of procedure, regulations and di- rectives necessary to enforce the laws, and to implement gov- ernment programs and policies. • Support the process for adopt- ing an Iraqi constitution that promotes democratic principles and values through technical assistance that includes, but is not limited to, providing com- parative constitutional expertise; organizing constitutional confer- ences and conventions; facilitat- ing public awareness, educa- tion, and participation; and as- sisting in the conduct of a na- tional referendum or other ratify- ing mechanism. USAID continues to plan and implement a variety of programs, undertaken in partnership with Iraqi counterparts, matching the needs of the evolving Iraqi democracy. In particular, USAID is accelerating support to the Iraqi National Assembly for the upcoming referendum and elections. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Constitutional Awareness Program introduces 58,000 Iraqis to the con- stitution. Since the launching of the program, 250 partner NGOs have al- ready reached more than half of the 100,000 individuals they plan to educate on the draft constitution prior to the Oct. 15 referendum. A Basrah area women’s group conducted sessions specifically organized for the deaf and hearing impaired. The session was attended by 78 individuals who were introduced to the constitution through an interpreter using sign lan- guage. For the purpose of these sessions, facilitators had to create new signs to describe and explain the meaning of theoretical or political terms linked to constitutional issues such as ‘federalism,’ ‘rule of law,’ and ‘checks and bal- ances.’ Two radio stations have been using copies of the program’s Guide to the Con- stitution to conduct daily and weekly radio programs dedicated to discussions on the constitution. The 48-page document, prepared by the five Iraqi coordi- nating NGOs, offers a detailed explanation of each article of the constitution using simple and accessible language for all individuals participating in the constitutional awareness sessions. Over 1,700 attend town hall meetings to directly ask local officials and judges how they plan to enforce the content of the proposed constitu- tion. Panel members and participants included political party leaders, judges, police chiefs, mayors, NGO leaders, tribal leaders, religious leaders, heads of women’s organizations and others who will be expected to apply the provi- sions of the constitution in the course of their work. Two-day seminar in Ramadi allows influential members of the Sunni community to examine constitution while encouraging their participation in the Oct. 15 referendum. Participants included senior Sunni government officials, Governorate Council Members, lawyers, and religious leaders. Is- sues covered included: • A synopsis and comparative assessment of the major provisions of the constitution, such as Arab identity, Islam, human rights, structure of gov- ernment, federalism and natural resources; • An overview of the implications of the constitution on local government; • An outline of the process, timeline and future steps depending on the out- come of the referendum; and • The importance of remaining strategically engaged in the political process. Overall, audience members remained critical of the constitutional process, raised their concern over a number of unresolved logistical issues regarding the referendum, and welcomed this initiative and the opportunity to have an informed discussion on the content of the constitution. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 HEALTH October 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Vaccinated over 3 million chil- dren under age 5 and 700,000 pregnant women with vaccina- tion campaigns that included monthly immunization days. • Provided supplementary doses of vitamin A for more than 600,000 children under age 2 and 1.5 million lactating moth- ers. • Provided iron folate supple- ments for over 1.6 million women of childbearing age. • Screened more than 1.3 million children under age 5 for mal- nutrition. • Distributed high protein bis- cuits to more than 450,000 children and 200,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers. • Provided potable water for 400,000 people each day in Basrah city and 170,000 peo- ple in Kirkuk and Mosul. • Provided skills training for 2,500 primary health care pro- viders and 700 physicians. • Trained 2,000 health educa- tors, teachers, religious lead- ers and youth to mobilize com- munities on hygiene, diarrhea, breastfeeding, nutrition and immunization issues. • Disseminated information on essential health messages to families around the country. • Renovated 110 primary health care centers. • Provided vaccines and cold chain equipment to selected health centers. • Developed a national plan to fortify wheat flour with iron and folic acid. USAID is supporting the Iraqi Ministry of Health to strengthen essential health services, improve the capacity of health personnel, and respond to the spe- cific health needs of vulnerable populations such as women and children. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Two workshops for 40 heath care professionals help build capacity in the Minis- try of Health (MOH). Over the last ten days, 20 nurse trainers and 20 physician train- ers from the MOH learned how to teach a comprehensive health curriculum to physi- cian and nurse service providers who will be staffing 142 centers being constructed and equipped by the US government throughout Iraq. Sponsored by USAID, the train- ing program will build the capacity of these MOH trainers to train service providers at the governorate level in time for the opening of these model centers. The workshop familiarized MOH trainers with the Integrated Management of Child- hood Illness (IMCI) training curriculum and related training modules in interpersonal communication, referral and follow-up, and infection prevention and control. A USAID implementing partner planned and carried out the two concurrent ten day workshops in close collaboration with the MOH Primary Health Care Directorate. These two training programs build on previous training of trainers’ workshops. In July, workshops familiarized 89 Ministry of Health physician and nurse trainers with differ- ent training methodologies and built their skills in planning, delivering and evaluating training programs. The second round of workshops completed earlier this week helped 40 trainers from the July group to apply their improved training skills in the de- livery of the actual curricula that will be used in training service providers. Before Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq boasted one of the most advanced heath sys- tems in the region. However, the system largely focused on the delivery of specialized tertiary level care rather than preventive and primary health care. Over the past 30 years, diminishing resources for the sector and the lack of investment in human re- sources development led to serious declines in the health system. Child health suf- fered in particular , with increased incidence of preventable diseases such as respira- tory illness, diarrhea, measles, and malaria and high levels of malnutrition. USAID’s program in Iraq supports efforts to improving access to quality primary health care with emphasis on maternal and child health services. The training program sup- ports the rollout, in Iraq, of the IMCI initiative, extending the coverage of child health care. The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness strategy was developed in the mid- 1990s by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organi- zation (WHO) with significant support by USAID. USAID continues to implement and expand this method in its country programs through its implementing partners. The IMCI approach is a proven approach to improving child health which utilizes a set of algorithms and guidelines for the integrated case management of diarrhea, pneumo- nia, fever, measles, malaria, malnutrition, and the promotion of immunization in health facilities. This systematic approach ensures that service providers not only treat a sick child for obvious symptoms but also address a range of common nutritional and infec- tious disease problems affecting children in Iraq. This training program is being carried out under USAID’s Training Model Primary Pro- viders (TMPP) program. The program will provide a comprehensive package of sup- port to the MOH aimed at upgrading the technical knowledge, clinical and manage- ment skills and performance of center directors, and primary health care profession- als. Emphasis will be given to assisting the MOH in developing and institutionalizing the use of training management systems to use to continuously improve the perform- ance of service providers and improve the delivery of quality primary health care ser- vices with proven impact on maternal and child health. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 EDUCATION October 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • 2,717 schools have been rehabili- tated, some of which through direct contracting and grants to communities. • Hundreds of thousands of desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and more than 3 million school kits have been distributed country- wide. • 36,000 secondary school teach- ers and administrators, including 928 master trainers, have been trained. Over the next year, up to 100,000 additional teachers will receive in-service training. • Eighty-four primary and secon- dary schools (four in each gover- norate) are being established to serve as model schools. Teachers will receive six weeks of training, and schools will be equipped with computer and science laborato- ries. • More than 550 out-of-school youth completed a pilot acceler- ated learning program. An ex- panded program, targeting 11,000 out-of-school youth, will be imple- mented during the 2005–06 school year. • Satellite Internet access and com- puters were installed at the Minis- try of Education and in all 21 Di- rectorates of Education. To im- prove resource management, an Education Management Informa- tion System will be installed. • More than 8.7 million math and science textbooks have been edited, printed, and distributed throughout Iraq. • Partnerships were established between five American and 10 Iraqi universities. Through these partnerships, more than 1,500 Iraqi faculty and students have participated in workshops, train- ings, conferences, and courses in Iraq, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. • University facilities, such as librar- ies, computer and science labora- tories, lecture halls, and buildings, have been rehabilitated at col- leges of law, engineering, medi- cine, archeology, and agriculture. In addition, books and electronic resources have been provided to university libraries. USAID’s goals are to increase enrollment, improve primary and secondary education, ensure classrooms have sufficient supplies, facilitate community involvement, train teachers, implement accelerated learning programs, and establish partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi colleges and universities. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Over 200 Iraqi and international professors attended an Environmental Health Conference held in Amman, Jordan. Organized by State University of New York / Stony Brook (SUNY/SB), part of USAID’s Higher Education and Development (HEAD) program, the conference brought together hundreds of scholars from Iraq, the Middle East, Europe, and the US to address environ- mental health problems in Iraq. Over 90 abstracts for conference presenta- tions were submitted by Ministry officials, medical professionals, and scientists covering a wide range of environmental topics. A participant in the conference, who works in one of the centers in Iraq, also exhibited her water colors that reflecting environmental problems in Iraq. Pre- viously, she had attended a two-week training course in the modern equip- ment for measuring lead and arsenic in the blood. Standing next to a painting of the marsh- lands drained by Saddam and recently restored by concerted International ef- forts, she expressed her appreciation for the achievements of the program. “This is the true hand extended to Iraq by USAID to bring us back to the level of modern societies in order to work on solving our environmental health prob- lems.” Over 200 scholars attended the Environ- mental Health conference The conference comes as the culmina- tion of HEAD’s environmental health pro- gram. In addition to building ties between US and Iraqi scholars and profes- sionals, the environmental health program has had numerous successes: • Establishing three environmental health education and resource centers (EHERCs) and several satellite centers at major Iraqi universities. • Training center directors, coordinators and lab technicians. • Supplying the centers with necessary equipment and resources (e.g. com- puters, libraries, chemicals) to carry out surveys and analyze specimens, providing a research center for scholars and environmental scientists. • Awarding mini-grants to scientists, supporting research projects. • Organizing courses for doctors, scientists, and ministerial personnel. Since January 2004, the HEAD program has worked to strengthen Iraqi lead- ership and build capacity for Iraqi universities and ministries. Bringing to- gether US and Iraqi universities, HEAD has built creative partnerships to help re-establish the academic excellence of Iraq’s higher education system. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES PROGRAM OBJECTIVES COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM The Community Action Program (CAP) works in rural and urban communities to promote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through partner NGOs and in consultation with local government representa- tives, USAID is creating representative participatory community groups to identify critical priorities and implement programs to address those needs. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID partner supplies 164 persons with disabilities (PWD) with liveli- hood assets. Wheelchairs, rolling walkers, walking canes, and hearing de- vices were distributed throughout the Tikrit district to people with mobility and hearing impairments. Many of the PWDs were displaced Arabs and Kurds who had moved into the area following decades of war, deteriorating medical services, and neglect by the central government. Being the first form of out- side assistance in two years, the distribution resonated well with the commu- nity and was accompanied by a large celebration. Community Action Groups (CAGs) create economic opportunities for youths. In the Ninawa region , CAGs worked to develop two long term and short term job creation initiatives. These projects would provide a chance for more than 200 youths to have jobs for at least two months, with a possibility of long term employment. The jobs would encompass the renovation, cleaning, and maintenance of irrigation channels. In other areas, projects were proposed for short term employment involving the cleaning and reactivating of area water springs. A focused group discussion with 17 young men and women discussed ways to contribute to their local youth center’s development. After identifying unem- ployment among youth as their priority issue, ideas for income generation ac- tivities and economic development programs were discussed, with the CAG agreeing to incorporate the ideas into their project proposals. In the Kirkuk region, a carpentry co-op has been established to assist youths to fund jobs and increase their incomes. The project will create eight long-term jobs. This project is also attempting to assist younger married couples by pro- viding them low cost furniture. Regional CAGs see midwifery as way to help women. Current studies are ongoing for proposals to train women in midwifery to increase their employ- ment opportunities. After the training, participants will have a chance to un- dergo testing at the Ministry of Health directorate to become certified mid- wives. CAGs are also proposing to provide training on handicrafts for women as a means to assist them in developing home based income generation activities. Representing geographically defined neighborhoods, CAGs engage local resi- dents in the process of identifying their needs and designing projects to meet them. CAG members also offer secure assistance support from local govern- ment, obtain necessary authorizations from relevant government bodies, mo- bilize contributions, and monitor project progress and quality. These commu- nity groups are a core component in USAID’s efforts to help Iraqi communities identify and prioritize their own development needs, and develop projects to address them. October 7, 2005 • USAID has supported over 3,300 • USAID has supported over 3,300 projects with not more than 25 projects with not more than 25 percent of total funding coming percent of total funding coming from Iraqi communities. CAP has from Iraqi communities. CAP has established over 600 community established over 600 community action groups (CAGs) in 17 gover- action groups (CAGs) in 17 gover- norates. Five U.S. NGOs each norates. Five U.S. NGOs each concentrate on a region: north, concentrate on a region: north, Baghdad, southwest central, Baghdad, southwest central, southeast central, and south. southeast central, and south. • The northern program focuses on • The northern program focuses on the conflict prone areas of the the conflict prone areas of the Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and the Iran-Iraq border. The partner the Iran-Iraq border. The partner NGO has completed 651 projects NGO has completed 651 projects with over $20 million in project with over $20 million in project commitments including improving commitments including improving the Tikrit water supply, and devel- the Tikrit water supply, and devel- oping income generation projects oping income generation projects in the north. in the north. • In the southwest central region, • In the southwest central region, the partner NGO has established the partner NGO has established a strong presence in Hillah and a strong presence in Hillah and the Shi’a holy cities Najaf and the Shi’a holy cities Najaf and Karbala. Emphasis on critical Karbala. Emphasis on critical infrastructure needs has improved infrastructure needs has improved community water/sanitation ser- community water/sanitation ser- vices and schools, and repaired vices and schools, and repaired vital social infrastructure. The vital social infrastructure. The NGO has completed 365 projects NGO has completed 365 projects and has over $21 million in project and has over $21 million in project commitments. commitments. • Income generation is an important • Income generation is an important emphasis in the Baghdad pro- emphasis in the Baghdad pro- gram where 543 projects have gram where 543 projects have been completed through CAGs. A been completed through CAGs. A marketplace for over 700 vendors marketplace for over 700 vendors is being constructed, and crews is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste are cleaning up medical waste dumps. Total project commit- dumps. Total project commit- ments are $21 million. ments are $21 million. • In the southeast central region, • In the southeast central region, 201 projects are complete with a 201 projects are complete with a total of $18.5 million in commit- total of $18.5 million in commit- ments. In the Shi’a heartland, ments. In the Shi’a heartland, these projects address needs these projects address needs resulting from decades of govern- resulting from decades of govern- ment neglect and focus on water, ment neglect and focus on water, sewerage, community clean-up, sewerage, community clean-up, and school rehabilitation. and school rehabilitation. • The southern program has com- • The southern program has com- pleted 765 projects with total com- pleted 765 projects with total com- mitments of $23 million. Projects mitments of $23 million. Projects have focused on immediate com- have focused on immediate com- munity needs such as sewage munity needs such as sewage clean up, water treatment and clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and distribution, public health, and girls’ access to education. girls’ access to education. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded 4,445 small grants totaling $306 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil society, conflict management and miti- gation, human rights and transi- tional justice. • Funded 143 grants totaling over $5.1 million that focus on women’s issues, including sup- porting the rehabilitation of 40 women’s centers in Iraq. Reha- bilitated over 264 Iraqi national ministries, schools, clinics and other municipal buildings. Sup- porting 65 Iraqi groups in docu- menting human rights abuses of the Ba’athist regime and pro- moting peace, tolerance, and reconciliation. • Met critical needs during and immediately after the conflict by providing short-term employ- ment, restoring basic govern- ment and community services, increasing Iraqi access to infor- mation and communication and encouraging protection of hu- man rights. TRANSITION INITIATIVES USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the transition to a par- ticipatory, stable, and democratic country. OTI provides quick-dispensing, high-impact grants meeting critical needs—providing short-term employment, restoring basic government and community services, increasing access to in- formation and communication, and encouraging protection of human rights. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A new Property Claims Commission receives much needed new office equipment and furniture through an Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) grant. This project was started in an effort to reduce ethnic tensions in south-central Iraq. The former regime’s policies of forced resettlement have created ethnic tension among local communities in the region. As citizens now return to their homes and property, disputes have resulted. With the provision of items in- cluding laptops, scanners, printers, desks and chairs, the commission hopes to assist the resolution of disputes in a timely manner. This grant will benefit the local population by helping more than 1,000 claimants gain access to a legal mechanism through which to resolve their disputes, diffusing tensions and strengthening hope for the future. An ITI grant promotes clean neighborhoods through story- telling. A northern Iraqi NGO was able to secure an ITI grant to pro- duce a storybook on keeping the environment clean. Through work- shops and informal gatherings in 12 neighborhoods, experienced storytellers guided children through the book’s message that highlighted the importance of keeping neighborhoods clean. Upon completion, each participating child received a copy of the book, printed in Arabic and Kurdish. This grant complements recently completed ITI trash and sewage removal projects in the area, and also helps to build civil society in one of northern Iraq’s key regions. An Iraqi NGO in a strategic city north of Baghdad received an ITI grant to help train disabled women at a sewing workshop. The NGO teaches both sewing and literacy skills to help these women generate income. The ITI grant provided sewing machines, an electricity generator, scissors, thread, cloth, and other materials, making it possible for the organization to conduct a sew- ing workshop. This workshop employed 150 women to sew clothes and cur- tains; the goods were later sold at a public market. The NGO made enough on the product sales to generate income for the employees and to sustain the workshop's operating costs. This grant project had the broader impact of encouraging local initiatives to reach out to marginalized communities. As a result of this project, not only do 150 women now have the means to financially support both themselves and their families, but the NGO is now able to expand and enhance its services. October 7, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 October 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Rehabilitated 105 water treat- ment units and 396 kilometers of water networks to ensure the provision of potable water in critical areas. • Rehabilitated 72 health facilities and re-equipped 238 to improve the quality of health care. • Vaccinated over 3,000 women and children against measles. • Registered internally displaced persons and provided them with water, blankets, medical kits, and hygiene kits. • Rehabilitated a water treatment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The rehab is benefiting 1 million residents. OFDA partners distribute non-food supplies to evacuees in a camp outside of Tel Afar. DISASTER ASSISTANCE In the first year, USAID’s humanitarian assistance focused on emergency in- terventions to prevent food and water shortages and provide adequate shelter and medical supplies throughout Iraq. USAID is now directing humanitarian assistance efforts through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to specifically target Iraq’s internally displaced persons (IDPs). HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK OFDA provides emergency humanitarian response to peo- ple displaced around Tel Afar. To date, OFDA and partners have provided direct and indirect assistance to more than 20,000 IDPs settled in communities around Tel Afar. OFDA partners, who have been working in the city since the beginning of Au- gust, quickly extended services to the outlying region as military action required the evacuation of several city sectors. Many of the neighboring villages hosted the thousands of families displaced. Villages were quickly overwhelmed by the volume of the need, particularly shelter and food. Over a two-day period, OFDA partners set up 1,000 tents and distributed blankets, mattresses, and cooking stoves to nearly 2,000 IDP families. Water storage units and jerry cans were distributed and support of water tanker trucks were provided immediately. OFDA partners also worked closely with the Ninewa Department of Health (DOH) and the Iraqi Red Crescent Society to set up fully equipped and staffed static healthcare clinics in strategic areas. OFDA provided more than 10,000 health and hygiene kits and facilitated dis- tribution of essential drugs from the DOH to the settlement areas. OFDA also helped address and avert a food crisis. The local Public Distribu- tion System had failed to distribute sufficient food rations in recent months and the already low food supplies were quickly depleted. Working with the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MODM) and the Red Crescent, OFDA was able to move food to the region. Also, U.S. forces recently guided several con- voys of food items from Turkey to the settlement areas. Already a nominal number of IDP families have begun returning to Tel Afar. Several of the camps have begun to empty out and one Red Crescent camp has already been abandoned. OFDA will continue to monitor the needs of IDPs in the settlement areas as well as movement back into Tel Afar. Sixty community health educators participated in the 16 week outreach program targeting IDP settlements. Operating in five districts in the Diyala governorate, OFDA partners reached more than 5,150 beneficiaries in seven different IDP settlement areas. Topics covered included proper hygiene, safe water practices, proper food handling, and information on waterborne dis- eases and prevention mechanisms. Health educators also distributed educa- tional leaflets in the communities. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 COMPLETED PROGRAMS Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed its planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport, re- stored significant portions of Iraq’s telecommunications network, rebuilt three major bridges and restored the rail line connecting Umm Qasr with Basra city and points north. USAID also helped avert a humanitarian cri- sis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nations World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with management and distribution of food rations to Iraqi citizens. SEAPORTS • The $45 million program to rehabilitate and improve management at Umm Qasr seaport was completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17, 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16, 2003. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-sea ships. • 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 percent of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed and fully integrated 13 new switches with 14 existing switches. • Worked with the Ministry of Communications to reactivate more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdad’s largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained telecom engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway system and the new switches. BRIDGES AND ROADS • Rebuilt three major bridges—Khazir, Tikrit and Al Mat bridges—critical to moving people and commercial products throughout the country. • Rebuilt a substantial portion of the Iraqi Republican Railway line connecting Basrah with the port of Umm Qasr includ- ing physical track construction, installing culverts, and repairing gatehouses. The remainder of the work has been handed over to the Ministry of Transportation (MOT). This work allows shipments of bulk cargo from the port to Bagh- dad and throughout the country. FOOD SECURITY • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distribution Sys- tem (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 U.S. Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distribution System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. October 7, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY October 7, 2005 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE ................................................................................. Subtotal: $3,981,483,243 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 America's Develop- ment Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 Army Corps of Eng. Architecture and Engineering Services Countrywide $38,086,393 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Bechtel Airports, buildings, power, railroads, roads, bridges, port, water and sanitation Countrywide $1,029,833,259 Bechtel Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanitation, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,319,911,678 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS I Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 CEPPS II Domestic Observation/Vote Countrywide $49,275,000 CEPPS III Voter Education Countrywide $45,180,000 CEPPS IV Elections Administration Support Countrywide $41,000,000 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $258,820,000 DAI Marshlands South $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $101,352,912 Logenix Health North/Central $108,506 Louis Berger Vocational Education Countrywide $30,016,115 Louis Berger Private Sector Development II Countrywide $95,000,000 MACRO Int’l. Health Countrywide $2,000,000 Partnership for Child Healthcare Health Countrywide $2,000,000 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY October 7, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation RTI Local Governance Countrywide $241,910,757 RTI Local Governance II Countrywide $85,000,000 RTI Health Training Countrywide $22,000,000 SkyLink Airport Management Bag., Bas., Mos. $27,200,000 SSA Port Management Umm Qasr $14,318,985 UNDP Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 UNESCO Textbook Printing & Distribution: Math & Science Countrywide $10,000,000 UNICEF Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $36,700,000 UNICEF Education Countrywide $19,600,000 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 Italy’s 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 Countrywide $20,730,000 VEGA Business Skills Training Countrywide $12,089,702 VFH Elections Support Countrywide $1,000,000 WHO Strengthen Health System Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Health Countrywide $4,808,858 World Bank Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 Yankee Group Telecoms Planning Countrywide $58,150 Emergency Relief USAID/DCHA/OFDA...................................................................................Subtotal: $182,794,981 ACTED Water and sanitation, health/hygiene, education Eastern Iraq $2,995,793 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $8,991,845 AirServ Logistics Countrywide $5,309,876 ARC Capacity Building Central and Southern Iraq $537,746 CARE IDP Assistance, Quick-impact Projects, Water and Sanita- tion, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities Countrywide $9,043,148 The Cuny Center Research Studies Countrywide $40,260 GOAL Coordination, Nutrition Al Muthanna’ and Dhi Qar $1,507,900 InterAction Coordination Countrywide $92,860 IDA Health Countrywide $1,318,437 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 12 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY October 7, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Capacity Building Countrywide $34,832,887 IOM IDP Assistance Central and Southern Iraq $18,892,470 IRC IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,000,411 IRD IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation, Livelihoods, Emergency Relief Commodities Northern and Central Iraq $17,076,190 Logistics Emergency Relief Commodities and USAID/DART Support Countrywide $22,771,653 Mercy Corps IDP Assistance, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities, Shelter, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $25,251,114 SCF/US Food Security, Health, IDP Assistance, Shelter, Nutrition, Emergency Relief Commodities, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,638,652 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 , Water and Sanitation Countrywide $6,793,739 USAID/DCHA/FFP.......................................................................................Subtotal: $425,571,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $45,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust—81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 48– Title II emergency food commodities—163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchase—330,000MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTI........................................................................................Subtotal: $382,624,688 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,667,232 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $354,500,376 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 .................................... $4,971,747,591 * 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. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 13