الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية — العراق: نشرة حقائق رقم 4، 28 تشرين الأول 2004

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE October 28, 2004 This report highlights overall accomplishments and weekly activities from USAID’s reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. Contents: Electricity ...................................................... 2 Water and Sanitation .................................... 3 Airports.......................................................... 4 Railroads, Roads and Bridges..................... 4 Education ...................................................... 5 Health............................................................. 6 Marshlands.................................................... 6 Economic Governance .................................7 Agriculture .....................................................8 Local Governance .........................................9 Community Action Program.........................10 Humanitarian Assistance .............................11 Completed Activities.....................................12 Financial Summary .......................................13 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, 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: Iraqi workers at a USAID new power generation project in At' Tamim governorate USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Electricity October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s 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 Iraq’s 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. Now producing daily peaks in excess of 5,000 MW. Hit Highlights this week: • A USAID new generation project in At’ Tamim Gover- norate is approximately 71 percent complete and is ex- pected to add 325 MW to Iraq’s national grid by the end of March. The first of two combustion gas turbines has already arrived on site and its installation is about 87 per- cent complete. ◊ This new generation power plant has a remarkably di- verse work force. Turks, Assyrians, Kurds, and Ar- abs work side by side, shar- ing responsibilities through- out the work site. Since construction began, more than 1,200 local jobs have been provided. Men from a nearby village hold 70 sala- Iraqi workers at a USAID new power generation project in At' Tamim governorate ried positions. The steady incomes, excellent training programs, and opportunities for advancement have helped foster an amicable and productive relationship with the local community. The close ties were underscored recently when plant managers distributed 300 back-to-school backpacks to local children. • The last of the two combustion gas turbines and their generators have arrived on-site at a USAID new power generation project in Baghdad. Overall con- struction at this site is approximately 21 percent complete; the first unit is tar- geted to come online in January 2005 while the second is scheduled for Febru- ary 2005. Once all work is complete, this project will add a total of 216 MW to the national grid. By the end of 2005, USAID expects to add more than 1700 MW to the grid overall. 5,365 MW on August 18, 2004. • In summer 2004, after months of power reduction for unit maintenance, gen- eration began steadily in- creasing. • Repairing thermal units, replacing turbines, rehabili- tating the power distribution network, and installing and restoring generators. • USAID has added 435 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 imported and in short sup- ply. • 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 has also begun an operations and maintenance program to improve the output and reliability of 114 power plant units at 19 ther- mal and combustion gas turbine generation sites throughout Iraq. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 2 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Water and Sanitation October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s 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 USAID’s $600 million in water and sanitation projects. Highlights this week: • USAID’s new project to construct a landfill to serve Baghdad and surrounding governorates is underway after an intensive process to finalize the project de- tails with the Baghdad Mayoralty. Subcontractors have begun clearing the landfill site and are constructing a perimeter security fence. The subcontract for the landfill/liner construction has also been awarded, and site excavation is expected to begin in approximately two weeks. Currently, solid waste is dis- posed of in dumping sites which expose Iraqi residents to serious public health hazards and negatively impact the environment. The new landfill will provide a safe and sanitary place for solid waste, and will include the systems and fa- cilities necessary to protect the environment near the site. ◊ The total project includes the construction of a three-to-five-year capacity landfill, as well as a master plan to expand the landfill to a 20 year capacity. The landfill area will also include a recycling and sorting area to handle nine to 23 tons of solid waste per day and will meet U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency regulations for municipal solid waste facilities. This project is scheduled for completion in spring 2005 and will serve residents of western Baghdad and portions of Diyala’ Governorate. • Repairs continue at a major water treatment plant in At’ Tamim Governorate. Since its construction in 1993—and especially during the last five years—the performance of the water treatment plant has steadily degraded as equipment has fallen into disrepair. Under the Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction Pro- gram, USAID is repairing the facility and returning it to full capacity. Repairs are scheduled for completion by the end of November 2004. The project is on schedule, with 50 percent of work completed. This project employs 124 Iraqis. • Design work is 80% complete and construction is set to begin on a sewage trunk line in a large, economically depressed district of Baghdad. The line will extend service to new areas, and in other areas will replace an old system that was prone to leaks and blockages. The project will divert sewage now collect- ing in the street to a functioning sewage system. Without the work, the district would continue to be blighted by pooling of sewage that floods local streets, posing serious health risks. Work on a new gravity sewer is set to start October 28, marking the beginning of the construction phase of the activity. The activ- ity is scheduled for completion in December 2005 and is currently employing 10 Iraqis – although that figure is expected to rise sharply as con- struction work begins. • Nationwide: Repaired various lift stations and 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 Baghdad’s 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. ◊ Sewage plants in An Najaf, Al Qadisiyah, Kar- bala’, and Babil Gover- norates will serve 440,000. ◊ Water treatment in Najaf and Babil will serve resi- dents and visitors at Iraq’s holiest shrines. • North: Rehabilitating two water plants and one sew- age plant near Mosul and Kirkuk. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 3 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Airports October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s goal is to provide material and personnel for the repair of airport facili- ties, rehabilitate airport terminals, facilitate humanitarian and commercial flights, and assist the Iraqi Airport Commission Authority. • Flights have been arriv- ing and departing Baghdad International Airport since July 2003. BIAP is process- ing an average of 45 non- military arrivals and depar- tures daily. The Baghdad International Airport (formerly Saddam International Airport) has been refurbished and re- paired as part of a contract from USAID to Bechtel and SkyLink to rebuild Iraqi airports in Baghdad, Basrah and Mosul. The Baghdad airport was severely dam- aged during the war. Com- mercial airlines, including Royal Jordanian and Iraqi Air, are now using the inter- national airport facilities rehabilitated by USAID; the airport is processing an average of 45 non-military arrivals and departures daily. • Completed emergency infrastructure work at BIAP for civil air operations, in- cluding repairing Terminal C and administration offices and installing VSAT com- munications systems and adding power generators. • Completed work to pre- pare Al Basrah International Airport for commercial op- erations, including installing VSAT and radio communi- cations; runway, taxiway, and apron striping; and installing baggage x-ray units and a perimeter fence. Work to rehabilitate the water and wastewater treat- ment facilities are almost complete. Railroads, Roads & Bridges Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s goal is to rebuild major transportation routes that were damaged or ne- glected in order to restore the flow of goods and services. USAID is constructing 72 kilometers of new track and facilities be- tween the Port of Umm Qasr and Shuaiba Junction, located west of Basrah. The con- struction is approxi- mately 70 percent com- plete, and is on sched- ule for completion by the end of November. To date, more than half of the total track is com- plete. Reconstruction of the Basrah region rail facilities will improve freight transport from the port of Umm Qasr to points north. The rail- way was barely opera- tional prior to the con- flict and severely ne- glected, resulting in derailments, accidents, and delays. • Completed 36 detailed bridge assessments and demolished irreparable sections in preparation for the rehabilitation of three major bridges in Iraq. All three bridges have now been repaired and re- opened to traffic. • Repaired a floating bridge over the Tigris River improving traffic in the re- gion for 50,000 travelers a day. • Completed an assess- ment of over one hundred 1,100 km lengths of track and associated facilities throughout the country to identify priority projects. • Constructing 72 kilome- ters of new track and facili- ties between the Port of Umm Qasr and Shuaiba Junction, located west of Basrah. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 4 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Education October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s 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: • Clinical education programs, which are helping to improve legal education in Iraq, are underway at three universities in north, central, and southern Iraq. Evaluations by students are indicating that the program is successful and ex- ceeding expectations. The program has been initiated at all three universities, but is in varying stages of implementation at each. This initiative is part of the legal education partnership under USAID’s Higher Education and Develop- ment (HEAD) program for Iraq, which is led by DePaul University along with several other American and European universities. ◊ At the university in northern Iraq, the summer clinic is complete. More than 130 students attended the clinic, far surpassing the target attendance of 45. All participants completed a program evaluation and provided an average rating of 4.31 out of 5 for the overall quality and utility of the workshop. ◊ In central Iraq, students are continuing to attend weekly court sessions as well as lectures from lawyers and judges. Court sessions for the university’s new moot courtroom, which was built with support from USAID, have been scheduled throughout October. These sessions will allow law students to the opportunity to perform as lawyers in simulated cases. ◊ Finally, at the southern Iraqi university, the construction of a new moot court room has been completed and students have been selected for participation in the clinical education program. The program is expected to begin within the next month. • Iraqi universities in Baghdad and Arbil Governorates now have access to an electronic library database, allowing them to use a vast body of research and learning tools which span a series of subject matter areas. This database was created by EBSCO Publishing – a global company that provides print and elec- tronic journal subscriptions, research database development, and online access to more than 150 databases. The information provided to the Iraqi universities through the database includes over 8,000 academic journals, magazines, and other publications. New material is added to the database daily, and archival coverage is provided as far back as the late 1800s. Access to this database will be available nationwide for other Iraqi universities as well as libraries and schools throughout Iraq. This initiative is supported by the HEAD program. • 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. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 5 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Health October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date Health conditions in Iraq deteriorated substantially under Saddam Hussein due to health policy priorities and budgetary allocations that did not reflect the burden of dis- ease. During the 1990s funds available for health were reduced by up to 90 percent. By 2003 health in Iraq was among the poorest in the region, with almost a third of the children in southern and central Iraq suffering from malnutrition. Low breastfeeding rates and birth weights, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, high fertility rates, ane- mia, and lack care for childhood diseases, pregnancy, and delivery contributed to high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates. Malaria, cholera, and leishmaniasis are endemic in several parts of the country. USAID partner RTI completed an $18,000 renovation of the administrative offices that serve eleven clinics in Basrah. A child of one of the nurses on duty lies asleep on the floor of the neonatal ward. • Vaccinated over 3 million children under five and 700,000 pregnant women with vaccination campaigns that included monthly immu- nization days. • Provided doses of vita- min A for more than 600,000 children under two and 1.5 million lactating mothers. • Distributed high protein biscuits to more than 450,000 children and 200,000 pregnant and nurs- ing mothers. • Provided potable water for 400,000 persons each day in Basrah city and 170,000 persons in Kirkuk and Mosul. • For more information on USAID’s Health program in Iraq please visit http:// www.usaid.gov/iraq/ accomplishments/ health.html. Marshlands Major Accomplishments to Date In the 1990s, Iraq’s marshlands—one of the world’s largest wetland ecosystems—were destroyed. Marshes were drained, biodiversity was compromised, and the local popu- lation was displaced. USAID’s $4 million initiative works with local residents in sup- port of marshland restoration and the social and economic development of marsh com- munities. A settlement in Iraq's marshlands • Marshland restoration activities have included surveys, pilot sites, flow and marsh hydrology modeling, and infrastructure needs assessments. • Produced a technical assessment in June 2003 in collaboration with the Minis- try of Water Resources and the a major university. • Implementing a strategy for marsh restoration, which includes ecosystem monitor- ing, wetland reconstruction, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, agribusiness, fishing and aquaculture, livestock and dairy produc- tion, and primary healthcare. • Improving capacity through laboratory and GIS development, study tours, training, and formulation of a strategy for international donor assistance and par- ticipation. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 6 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Economic Governance October 28, 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 Industry— among others. Highlights this week: • As part of the Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), USAID is col- laborating with the U.S. Army’s First Cavalry Division to initiate business de- velopment projects in some of Baghdad’s poorest and most volatile ar- eas. Through this collaboration, USAID advisors are able to contribute exper- tise on private sector development as well as a long-term plan for improving Iraq’s businesses. Meanwhile, the First Cavalry provides an intimate knowl- edge of Iraqi neighborhoods and best practices for project implementation and security. ◊ The initiative is in the beginning stages, but has already made important pro- gress. Since the PSDI began in August, USAID advisors have worked with the First Cavalry to conduct site visits to local Baghdad businesses as well as a written survey of businesses. The First Cavalry has also provided guidance on potential projects for PSDI activities in the future and helped coordinate efforts with local neighborhood councils. ◊ This alliance recognizes the link between security and local economic devel- opment. Increasing incomes and jobs will help to create a more satisfied and productive citizenry, improving security for both Iraqis and coalition forces. The development of Iraq’s private sector will also help to sustain coalition public works projects in the long-term, as many of these projects cannot be sustained by the public sector alone. • The Iraqi Customs Service (ICS) is moving forward with customs reform with support from USAID’s Iraq Economic Governance II (IEG II) project. As key IEG II technical staffs continue to arrive in Iraq, they are working with the ICS to lay the groundwork for comprehensive reform to streamline customs ad- ministration. ◊ The underlying goal of this effort is to increase efficiency and create more trade-friendly mechanisms for the ICS to administer. With the new systems employed by the ICS, waiting times have been reduced and fees standard- ized. Efficiency and transparency in the ICS are key requirements in prepar- ing Iraq for full participation in the global trade community. • 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 Iraq’s commercial banks. • Improved statistical analy- sis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision proce- dures at Iraq’s Central Bank. • Provided technical assis- tance for CPA’s $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 7 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Agriculture October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date 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 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 rehabilitation of a fruit orchard sta- tion in As Sulaymaniyah Governorate has begun; the project will clean and weed 320 donums (1 donum = 2,500 square meters) of land at the station. Once complete, the orchard will be a source of seedlings for local farmers and will help generate income for the Apple picking at an orchard in As Sulaymaniyah local MOA. The work is supported by a recently awarded grant from USAID’s Agriculture Reconstruction and Devel- opment Program for Iraq (ARDI). ◊ This rehabilitation is also using local labor to support local income genera- tion. Due to the significant response to job postings for this project, the pro- ject will employ laborers on a rotational basis, employing 180 individuals for ten days each over a period of one month. The project will generate $19,720 of direct income for the laborers, monitors, and supervisors involved. Finally, this clean-up project will directly generate income for the orchard and the MOA, providing it with a source of income to expand operations. Since the orchard is government-owned, all proceeds from the project go to the MOA in As Sulaymaniyah. Another source of income will be the vinegar bottled from the apples which are being picked off the orchards. • 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 university’s 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. • Work is progressing on the installation of four sheep dipping tanks in As Su- laymaniyah Governorate villages through a grant provided by ARDI. The ac- tivity was suggested by local livestock breeders, who approached ARDI through a local NGO. The NGO was awarded a grant to select sites, and to construct and install the tanks and holding pens. Sites have been selected for the tanks and work is set to move forward. ◊ Dipping is important to livestock well-being because it keeps the animals free of scabs, blowflies, ticks, and lice. Along with improving the well-being of the animals, dipping improves the income of the breeders. Economically, a robust herd means greater income and an improved standard of living for shepherds and their families in the villages that will benefit from the sheep tanks. Cleaning sheep using dipping tanks can increase wool value by up to 50 percent, and improve the standard of living for nearly 500 local shepherds and their families in the area, who have more than 30,000 sheep. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 8 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Local Governance October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) goals include promoting represen- tative citizen participation in governance; strengthening the management skills of city and provincial administrations and civic institutions; promoting advo- cacy and participation of civil society organizations; enhancing leadership skills; and serving as a recruiting tool for future leaders. • Established regional of- fices in Al Basrah, Al Hillah, Baghdad, and Mosul with local offices established in 17 out of 18 governorates and operations in all gover- norates. Highlights this Week: • Two new USAID Local Governance Program (LGP) grants have been approved for cities in south central Iraq. These grants are supporting local government in- stitutions which will help improve agricultural practices in rural areas. Strength- ening these institutions will promote long-term development in rural areas, thus helping to increase jobs and income levels. • Twenty-two engineers in Al Muthanna Governorate participated in a training course on AutoCAD, a computer aided drafting application program, on October 9. The course was conducted at a local computer training center and was sup- ported by LGP. • LGP has approved a new grant to provide 50 computers and equipment for water and sewer authorities in Baghdad Governorate. This will help consolidate the work of Baghdad City and Governorate water authorities and decentralize work from the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works. • Eighteen employees of the Board of Supreme Audit attended an English language course in At’ Tamim Governorate on October 9. Developing their English skills for both speaking and writing will help the Board’s employees to understanding new and different financial terms. • On October 9, 35 employees of the Diyala Water Directorate participated in a computer training course that included Geographic Information Systems training and was supported by a local Iraqi university and LGP. This training will build the capacity of the Water Directorate to manage information on the Governorate’s 21 water systems. • Sheikhs and local council members in Babil Governorate have come together to organize an initiative to improve the supply of water in their area. They represent the interests of more than 10,000 local citizens and have applied to a local sub- district council for support in this effort. Additionally, with the support of USAID’s LGP, a project proposal was developed for the sub-district council to help them seek funding from outside sources. • Representatives of two district councils in At’ Tamim Governorate took part in a series of seminars entitled “Budgeting in Local Government: A Democratic Proc- ess.” The seminars were organized by LGP and attended by a majority of mem- bers from both of the district councils. Training municipal councils in budgeting and strategic planning is an important part of improving their skills in evaluating projects and understanding the interface between different levels of governmental budgets. • 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. In the second year, a similar grants program worth $13 million is being imple- mented. • 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 $2.4 million for the nationwide Civic Educa- tion Campaign, which edu- cated Iraqis on democracy and Iraq’s 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 26,400 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 Iraq’s democracy. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 9 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Community Action Program October 28, 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. Highlights this Week: • After the cessation of hostilities in Najaf Governorate in August, USAID’s Community Action Program (CAP) quickly resumed its activities and is now identifying new projects in the Governorate. At the beginning of September, CAP was supporting 26 projects in Najaf, five of which were completed by the end of the month. In addition, pending final permits from the local govern- ment, nine new projects will be initiated in the governorate shortly. • Five communities in Wasit Governorate have collabo- rated to construct a new secondary school that will serve approximately 200 students. Although the communities each had a pri- mary school, the only sec- ondary school was located very far away. This caused many families to keep their children at home especially in light of the difficult secu- rity situation. This program was supported by CAP. New secondary school in Wasit Governorate • The rehabilitation of a sports complex in Maysan Governorate – with financial support from CAP – is continuing and is more than 60 percent complete. Fol- lowing completion of the rehabilitation, the sports complex will be open to ap- proximately 3,000 local residents. CAP is also building upon three school re- habilitation projects in Maysan Governorate by linking the three completed schools with another CAP initiative, the creation of a local artists’ guild. Us- ing funds donated by a US-based NGO, the schools are receiving new art sup- plies and the newly formed artists’ guild will provide art lessons. • Contracts have been signed for the rehabilitation of 36 Basrah schools under CAP. Twenty-three additional school rehabilitation projects are in the bidding phase or are ready for tender, and 46 schools are currently being assessed, so that a work plan can be developed and contracts opened for bidding. • USAID has committed over $92 million to 1,966 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- 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 Shi’i 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 Shi’i 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% women’s participation. Projects have focused primarily on immediate community needs such as sew- age clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and girls’ access to education. Total project commitments are $15.9 million. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 10 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Humanitarian Assistance Transition Initiative October 28, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date 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 Iraqi access to information and communication, and encouraging protection of human rights. Highlights this week: • A civil society organization in northern Iraq that works to alleviate tensions among ethnic groups is improving its management capacity with the assistance of a grant from USAID’s Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI). The $10,500 grant pro- vided office equipment and furniture that will help the organization expand its programs. The organization has a diverse membership and seeks to bring groups together by promoting cultural heritage, social development and human rights. Their goal is to encourage the groups to work together to overcome con- flict and solve common problems. • Approximately 60 lawyers from six northern governorates recently attended a re- gional conference to discuss important issues in the development of a new consti- tution. The conference, which was hosted by an organization that promotes the rights of children and families, encouraged public participation in drafting a new constitution and demonstrated how to draft proposals for new laws, with particular attention to protecting the rights of children. The conference was supported through a $12,000 grant from ITI. • A youth group that works to preserve the rights of a minority community in north- ern Iraq has furnished their club facility with the assistance of a $14,000 grant from ITI. This minority group is one of many marginalized by the former regime and its policy of “Arabization.” Deprived of opportunities to connect with their native cultures before liberation, individuals from marginalized groups often lost contact with native traditions and languages. The youth club is a place where young people can come together, learn about their ethnic and religious customs, and develop their interests and talents. Members of the youth group will learn leadership strategies, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, and will build hope for the future as part of a diverse, democratic Iraq. Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance In the first year of programming, USAID’s humanitarian assistance focused on emergency interventions to prevent food and water shortages and provide ade- quate shelter and medical supplies throughout Iraq. USAID is now directing humanitarian assistance efforts through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assis- tance (OFDA) to specifically target Iraq’s internally displaced people (IDP), primarily in northern Iraq, but also in two southern governorates. • Awarded more than 1,918 small grants totaling more than $144.5 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil soci- ety, conflict management and mitigation, human rights and transitional justice. • Funded over 60 grants totaling $3 million that focus on women’s issues, includ- ing supporting the establish- ment of 14 women’s centers in Iraq. Rehabilitated over 264 Iraqi national ministries, schools, clinics and other municipal buildings. Sup- porting 65 Iraqi groups in documenting human rights abuses of the Ba’athist re- gime and promoting peace, tolerance, and reconcilia- tion. • Met critical needs during and immediately after the conflict by providing short- term employment, restoring basic government and com- munity services, increasing Iraqi access to information and communication and encouraging protection of human rights. • Rehabilitated 105 water treatment units and 396 kilometers of water networks to ensure the provision of potable water in critical ar- eas. • 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 pro- vided them with water, blan- kets, medical kits, and hy- giene kits. • Rehabilitated a water treatment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The re- hab is benefiting 1 million residents. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 11 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Completed Activities October 28, 2004 Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport and to restore significant portions of Iraq’s telecommunications network. USAID also helped avert a humanitar- ian crisis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nations’ World Food Program through USAID’s Office of Food for Peace. USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribu- tion of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. Seaport: • USAID’s $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 Baghdad’s 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. • Providing support to the Ministry of Trade for ongoing PDS operations. Currently, more than 480,000 metric tons of food is being delivered each month. • 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. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 12 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary October 28, 2004 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation RECONSTRUCTION USAID/ANE .........................................................................................................................Subtotal: $3,642,451,337 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 $35,000,000 Louis Berger Group Vocational Education Countrywide $27,200,000 Louis Berger Group Private Sector Development II Countrywide $12,636,115 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 $1,443,359,782 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $155,580,000 DAI Marshlands Dhi Qar Al Basrah Maysan $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $11,352,912 Fed Source Personnel Support Countrywide $300,000 IRG Reconstruction Support Countrywide $51,698,152 RTI Local Governance Countrywide $236,911,000 America’s Development Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS Education Activities in Support of Electoral Processes Countrywide $18,725,000 CEPPS Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 13 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary October 28, 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 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 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 Muthanna’ $1,507,900 USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 14 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary October 28, 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 – 81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 480 Title II emergency food commodities – 163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchase – 330,000 MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTI................................................................................................................................$217,258,324 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $8,990,711 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $190,810,533 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 FY 2003-2005 .......................................................4,212,375,582 * 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. 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