الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية — العراق: نشرة حقائق رقم 12، 19 كانون الثاني 2005

RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE January 19, 2005 Fuel oil for winter heating is being provided to Iraqi internally displaced persons with support from USAID. Contents: ElectricityÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...Ö.Ö...2 Water and SanitationÖÖÖÖ...ÖÖ...ÖÖ.Ö3 Economic Governance..ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..ÖÖ4 Agriculture..ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...5 Education.ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..6 Democracy and Governance.............................7 ElectionsÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...8 Disaster AssistanceÖÖ.ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...9 Transition InitiativesÖÖ.ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.10 Completed ActivitiesÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..11 Financial SummaryÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...12 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraqís Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovernmental organizations and private sector partners. This report highlights USAIDís 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 ELECTRICITY JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • By October, 2003, rehabilitated electric power capacity to pro- duce peak capacity greater than the pre-war level of 4,400 MW. Production reached 5,365 MW on August 18, 2004. • Since achieving record power production in Summer ë04, the Ministry of Electricityówith as- sistance from USAIDóhas be- gun the standard Fall mainte- nance process which will neces- sarily reduce the amount of power available for consump- tion. USAID worked with the MOE to conduct last Fallís maintenance program. • Repairing thermal units, replac- ing turbines, rehabilitating the power distribution network, and installing and restoring genera- tors. • USAID has added 535 MW of capacity through maintenance and rehabilitation work, and also repaired a 400 KV transmission line. • USAID and the Ministry of Elec- tricity 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 generation projects. • USAID completed a project to convert two units that produce 80 MW each to operate on crude/heavy fuel oil instead of diesel which is in short supply. • Most recently, USAID has initi- ated a project to rehabilitate 13 existing substations and con- struct 24 new substations in Baghdad. These 37 substations will improve the distribution and reliability of electricity for more than two million Baghdad resi- dents. USAIDís goals include the emergency repair or rehabilitation of power genera- tion facilities and electrical grids. Teams of engineers from the Ministry of Electricity, USAID and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working since May of 2003 to restore the capacity of Iraqís power system. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Iraqís power generating capability has suffered from the lack of an effec- tive operation and maintenance (O&M) program over many years. Power plants require specific scheduled maintenance, without which, power generat- ing capacity is compromised. This is the current situation at most power gen- erating facilities in Iraq. O&M training for power plant personnel has been lim- ited in the past and non productive. USAID is administering nearly $3 billion in infrastructure improvement projects throughout Iraq to ensure that homes and businesses are receiving services essential for the resumption of everyday life. Parallel to these projects, train- ing and institutional strengthening activities are required to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of new and refurbished facilities. USAIDís Power Plant Maintenance program was designed to provide for train- ing, facility assessments, coaching, mentoring, maintenance and plant outage support, and furnish test equipment, special tools, permanent plant equip- ment, materials, and parts. The goal of O&M training is to establish a tradition of best operational practices and modern management techniques at Iraqís power plants. Power plant O&M training covers all aspects of power plant ac- tivities, including operations, administration, planning, maintenance, and ware- housing. Upon completion of this program in May, the overall operating stan- dards, safety standards, and the reliability of the plant output will be in- creased. Training is being provided for 250 staff from the Ministry of Electric- ity and is conducted outside of Iraq. Power plant personnel take part in training. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 WATER AND SANITATION JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE •Nationwide: Repaired various sewage lift stations and water treatment units. •Baghdad: Expanding one water treatment plant and constructing another to increase capacity by approximately 70 million gallons per day; rehabilitating sewage treatment plants. −A major wastewater treatment plant in Baghdad began operat- ing 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 capacity, serving 80 percent of Baghdadís population. −Standby generators are being installed at 41 Baghdad water facilities. •South: Rehabilitating parts of the Sweet Water Canal system, including repairing breaches, cleaning the main reservoir, and refurbishing 14 water treatment plants around Basrah serving 1.75 million people. •South Central: Rehabilitating two water plants and four sew- age plants. −Completed the rehabilitation of a sewage plant in Babil Gover- norate. −Sewage plants in An Najaf, Al Qadisiyah, Karbala, and Babil Governorates will serve 440,000 upon completion. −Water treatment in Najaf and Babil will serve residents and visitors at Iraqís holiest shrines. •North: Rehabilitating two water plants and one sewage plant near Mosul and Kirkuk. USAIDís goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially those in the south where water quantity and quality are particularly low. An anticipated 11.8 million Iraqis will benefit from USAIDís $600 million in water and sanitation projects. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Work to restore 14 water treatment facilities in Basrah Governorate was completed on December 14, 2004. These facilities range from conventional treatment plants to pre-manufactured compact units. Final inspection of the facilities was completed on December 14, 2004 and the project is now 100 percent complete. Over the course of the project, there were many compo- nents refurbished: 15 clarifiers, 80 compact units, 71 high lift pumps, seven low lift pumps, nine backwash pumps, 50 pressure filters, 34 gravity filters, 19 generators, and five storage tanks. Additionally, the entire 21.50 km pipeline has been excavated, built, tested, and backfilled for the Khor Az Zubayr to Safwan water line. A USAID project to restore the wastewater collection system in Basrah is now complete. Final testing was conducted last month. This project re- stored sewage lift stations in Basrah which transfer raw sewage to a main sewage treatment plant in the governorate. The completion of this project will improve the conveyance of wastewater in the area, providing a more sanitary environment in the city of Basrah and reducing risks to public health. The project was divided into two phases which were implemented concur- rently. The first phase repaired the primary sewage pumping stations in the existing Basrah sewage collection system, while the second phase ad- dressed repairs to secondary lift stations. The final inspections were per- formed on 19 vertical pump lift stations on December 22, 2004. The pumps are all operating and the electrical equipment systems are functioning. The pre-engineered warehouse structures were erected and sheathed by January 10. Work is continuing on a project to improve the sewage collection sys- tem in a populous district of Baghdad; when complete, the rehabilitated system will provide improved service to 1.5 million residents. Overall, this activity is 39 percent finished, and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2005. Work is 79 percent complete at a wastewater treatment plant in An Najaf Governorate. The project is scheduled to be completed in mid- February 2005. Work on this plant will completely overhaul and re- store the facility. Restored Basrah water treatment facilities. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • 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 on accounting, budgeting and lending activities at Iraqís com- mercial banks. • Improved statistical analysis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision procedures at Iraqís Central Bank. • Provided technical assistance for CPAís $21 million micro- credit program. • Provided technical assistance for the Oil for Food transition to prepare Iraqi ministries to as- sume responsibility for OFF contracts. • Evaluated and updated com- mercial laws on private sector and foreign investment. • Assisted in developing the re- construction levy in collabora- tion with the CPA and the UK Customs Service; this levy im- poses a five percent tariff on imports to Iraq. • Developed a government-wide IT strategy to support the auto- mation of planning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • Provided technical assistance as well as information on con- tracting opportunities for Iraqi businesses through business centers. • Provided technical support 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 mil- lion USD) in shares were traded in the first day. USAID supports sustainable economic reforms in Iraq including examining and reforming laws, regulations, and institutions and providing a frame- work for private sector trade, commerce, and investment. The reforms will strengthen the Central Bank and the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Com- merce and Industryóamong others. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAIDís Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) is con- tinuing to support development of a competitive and efficient private sector in Iraq through a package of training, technical assistance, consulting, and business entrepreneurship services. Many VEGA activities are centered around a series of local Iraqi business centers around the country. VEGAís plans call for collaborating with these local business centers to provide training and business incubation services. Participating Iraqi business centers will receive capacity building and tech- nical support from VEGA and will be used as the sites for subsequent VEGA training initiatives. Recent activities in support of VEGA objectives have included: Grant activities. VEGA awarded its first grant, for $5,000, to a kindergar- ten in Arbil. Scores of other grant applications are now in process, includ- ing more than forty from members of prominent Iraqi chambers of com- merce, including grants that will support an education effort designed to help chamber of commerce members secure new construction contracts. Steps are also being taken to ensure that new grant applications continue to come in and that the Iraqi applicants develop their capacity to engage in such fund-raising efforts. VEGA advisors are providing technical assis- tance to the chamber of commerce members in preparing their grant ap- plications and a recent womenís entrepreneur training session in Dahuk included a review of the VEGA grants program. Sector survey. VEGA is designing business training courses to be imple- mented through the partner business centers. To prepare for these activi- ties, a broad survey of the Iraqi economy is being used to identify the sec- tors in which the training interventions would be most beneficial. Results have so far identified the following sectors and/or sub sectors: agriculture; cash-crop farming and street markets and vendors; commercial fishing; manufacturing; metal fabrication; financial services; tourism; various phases of office environment technology and internet cafes; communica- tions; textiles (cut and sewing); grocery products; leisure industry (restaurants, tourism, hotel and general hospitality management; retail (hardware, building materials, clothing, shoes, womenís accessories); bakeries, wholesale and retail; NGOs oriented towards empowerment of women through enterprise development; construction and government contracting; trading-importing; trading-exporting; veterinarians; handicrafts (jewelry, hand carving, wall hangings, artists); private education; enter- prise-oriented associations. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 AGRICULTURE JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Summer and Winter Crop Technology Demonstra- tions: These demonstra- tions are introducing farm- ers to new technologies and techniques through extension field days. • Animal Health: Several veterinary clinics in Kirkuk, Fallujah, and other cities are being renovated and a grant has been made for dipping tanks to improve sheep health and wool. • Technology Support: The Ministry of Agriculture and a major universityís schools of Agriculture and Veteri- nary Science have been awarded grants to furnish and equip computer cen- ters, 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 me- dium and long-term imple- mentation of policies to develop a market-based agricultural economy. USAIDís goals are to work in conjunction with Iraqi ministries, the private sector, 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 USAIDís Agricultural Reconstruction and Development Program for Iraq (ARDI) is conducting an assessment in Dahuk, Arbil and Sulaymaniyah Governorates of the private sectorís role in providing agricultural inputs to farmers. In Arbil, for example, there is a large concentration of input dealers that have characteristically maintained small warehouses storing fertilizers and agricultural chemicals. These supplies are imported from Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Other suppliers dis- play a wide variety of vegetable seeds, mostly from American companies. An initial conclusion of ARDIís assessment is that a re-invigorated private sector is emerging and will continue to strengthen. On Wednesday, January 5, ARDI hosted a national beekeepers confer- ence, in close collaboration with the Department of Plant Protection, Min- istry of Agriculture (MOA), and the Iraqi Beekeepers Association. The con- ference included representatives from local beekeepers groups in As Sulay- maniyah, Dahuk, Atí Tamim and Arbil Governorates. On January 8, 2005, ten teams from the Ministries of Agriculture com- pleted data collection from 150 commercial poultry (broiler) farms in Arbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah Governorates with the assistance of ARDI. This sample represents one fourth of about 600 commercial poultry farms regis- tered in these three governorates. Several of the registered farms are inoper- able and many others are operating below capacity, suspending production for several months at a time. The Ministryís Statistics Unit in Arbil is analyzing the data, and a draft report will be available by February 1st. ARDI, in close coordination with the MOA hosted a tomato field day as part of the Summer Crop Technology Demonstration Program in An Najaf Governorate on January 1, 2005. More than 100 farmers attended along with MOA staff from the Plant Production, Plant Protection and Agricultural Extension Departments. These field days are held on a monthly basis and provide farmers with an opportunity to discuss the re- sults and the status of crops with specialists from the MOA and with each other. In December, farmers began to harvest hybrid corn from 10 demonstration sites planted as part of a program supported by ARDI. Although results are still being analyzed, initial indications are that the trial crops did extremely well, compared to other corn planted in similar environments. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 EDUCATION JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Facilities − Awarded 627 grants worth more than $6 million to rehabilitate schools and equip Directorates General. − Rehabilitated 2,405 schools country- wide. • Supplies − Distributed desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and kits for primary and secondary 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 initiative that trained nearly 33,000 secondary school teachers and administrators, including 860 master trainers, nation- wide. − Conducted a pilot accelerated learn- ing program in five Iraqi cities to allow out-of-school children to complete two school years in one year. More than 550 students participated. − Assisted the Ministry in establishing official baseline education data for Iraq. • Higher Education − Awarded five grants worth $20.7 mil- lion to create partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi universities. Through these partnerships, Iraqi universities are rebuilding infrastructure; re- equipping university facilities; partici- pating in international conferences; attending workshops and refresher courses; and reforming curriculum. USAIDís goals are to increase enrollment, improve the quality of pri- mary and secondary education, ensure classrooms have sufficient sup- plies, facilitate community involvement, train teachers, implement ac- celerated learning programs, and establish partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi colleges and universities. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK DePaul University and a consortium of other US universities are continuing to work with Iraqi counterpart institutions to build their capacity under USAIDís Higher Education and Development (HEAD) program. As part of this program, the International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI) at DePaulís College of Law recently com- pleted work with a major Baghdad university to support more effective clinical legal education. Similar activities are being conducted by IHRLI and its partners at a university in northern Iraq and another in southern Iraq. Better clinical education will create opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and experience of the practice of law, as opposed to more traditional teaching methods that dealt mainly with legal theory and textbook knowledge. The activity was designed to prepare law students to become productive professionals from the outset of their career, emphasizing ethical practices and the important public service role they will have in building the legal system in the new Iraq. As part of the completed clinical education effort, IHRLI supported the Baghdad universityís law school in developing moot court activities, helped students to participate in brief-writing competitions, and imple- mented other activities. All activities were conducted with an eye to- ward enhancing the studentsí practical skills and ensuring that the uni- versity would be able to carry on the activities after the end of the pro- ject. The clinical education effort was judged a success by the Iraqi faculty and the students who took part; post-activity evaluations were almost uniformly positive, with particularly high marks on interest level and utility of the activities. The two similar clinical education projects at other Iraqi colleges of law are ongoing. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Established regional offices in Al Basrah, Al Hillah, Bagh- dad, and Mosul and opera- tions in all governorates. • 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 services. The grants were used to restore services in agricul- ture, education, health, elec- tricity, sanitation, and water. • Facilitated the establishment and refreshment of 16 gov- ernorate councils, 90 district councils, 194 city or sub- district councils, and 445 neighborhood councils. • Organized and facilitated numerous selection proc- esses for governors and mayors, as well as local council members, through- out Iraq. • Committed more than $2.4 million for the nationwide Civic Education Campaign, which educates Iraqis on democracy and Iraqís politi- cal situation. More than 28,500 democracy dialogues have been conducted to date. • Supported preparation of 2004 city council budgets in Baghdad, Mosul, Al Hillah, Babil, and An Najaf. • Supporting a series of Na- tional Agenda Dialogue Con- ferences, which engage stakeholders such as aca- demics, journalists, women, tribal leaders, and local gov- ernment officials in discus- sions on their roles in Iraqís emerging democracy. USAIDís goals in the Democracy and Governance sector include promoting representative citizen participation in governance at the national and sub- national level; supporting the administration of transparent and credible elec- toral processes; strengthening the management skills of national, city, and pro- vincial administrations and civic institutions; promoting advocacy and participa- tion of civil society organizations; enhancing leadership skills; and serving as a recruiting tool for future leaders. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Four women civil society leaders recently attended a ëVital Voicesí train- ing conference in Sanía, Yemen. The training was designed to provide re- sources on communication, strategic planning, team building and leadership skills. In addition, participants exchanged information on lessons learned, suc- cesses and challenges for women leaders in the region in community building and civil society development. Participants heard from the President of Yemen, the Yemeni Minister of Human Rights, and several women activists from around the Gulf Region. In addition, the Iraqi Delegation was invited to the house of the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US embassy in Yemen, where they were joined by senior leadership from the USAID partner NGO and representatives of the British Council. Advisors from USAIDís Local Governance Program (LGP) success- fully installed a comprehensive payroll program for a technical insti- tute in Basrah that is being used to process payrolls for 550 employ- ees. Starting this month, the system will need to accommodate changes in the instituteís salary structures. LGP staff will make the necessary adjust- ments to the database so that the payroll can continue to be produced on time and without errors. LGP specialists continued supervising the renovation of the Basrah Tax Office. Work on this renovation is expected to be 75% finished by next week, with the project complete by the end of January. The renovated office will provide enhanced workspace and offices for 139 employees. LGP staff, in cooperation with USAIDís Iraq Economic Governance II pro- gram, conducted training on Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS) for officials from the Ministry of Finance in southern Iraq. LGP staff also will soon begin working with officials from the Basrah Treasury De- partment to help establish software modules used to implement FMIS. LGP advisors in southern Iraq continue to work with Iraqi counterparts to supervise the rehabilitation of water discharge regulators in three com- munities. The water regulators will benefit more than 30,000 farmers when rehabilitation is complete. Work is currently more than 81 percent complete on two of the regulators, and the third is 40 percent complete. Construction work on the regulators began in November 2004. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 ELECTIONS UPDATE JANUARY 19, 2005 OUT-OF-COUNTRY VOTING REGULATIONS USAID has awarded a cooperative agreement to the Consortium for Elec- tion and Political Processes Strength- ening (CEPPS) which includes three US NGOs. This agreement has a $50 million ceiling, of which $23 million has been obligated to date. Within this electoral processes grant USAID seeks to achieve the following: •Educate voters and promote partici- pation in the electoral process; •Build the capacity of Iraqi election monitoring organizations; and •Support efforts to monitor and miti- gate electoral conflict. USAID also awarded a $40 million cooperative agreement to an NGO to support the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq's (IECI) admini- stration of the transitional election cy- cle, which includes the January 2005 elections, the October 2005 Constitu- tional Referendum, and the December 2005 National Assembly Elections. This program is being implemented at the request of the IECI and in direct coordination with UN activities. For more information on the up- coming elections, please visit the website of the Iraqi Election Infor- mation Network. EIN is an NGO coordinating elections support across Iraq. www.iraqiein.org/english Consistent with USAIDís policy with regard to supporting elections, USAID activities in Iraq make a good faith effort to assist all political or- ganizations with equitable levels of assistance, do not seek to determine election outcomes, and support representative multiparty systems. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Iraqi Election Information Network (EIN) Regional Coordinators met to discuss the details of the recruitment and training of volunteers, as well as the procedures and mechanisms of election monitoring. These meetings covered such topics as obtaining and utilizing maps of the governorates, knowing NGO names and representatives, and de- signing the structure of the Field Regional and Governorate level repre- sentatives of EIN. EIN is opening regional offices through partnerships with Iraqi NGOís in the regions in preparation for the January 2005 elections. Two NGOs from Hilla and one from Basra came to Baghdad to meet with EIN in or- der to become implementing partners in the regions. The staff of those organizations will be trained on accounting and management in order to fulfill the requisites and procedures that EIN has to follow under grants from the UN and USAID implementing partners. Last week, EIN received its full NGO accreditation from the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, and hired several new core staff members at the headquarters, regional and governorate level. Subsequent to the four-day EIN Board Member training in Amman at the end of December, several internal administrative, financial, reporting and strategic proce- dures were also implemented. EIN is now ready and committed to manage, supervise, and deploy thousands of election monitors by January 30. Last week the trainers of the Coalition of Iraqi Non-Partisan Domes- tic Election Monitors (CINEM) received a new series of training ses- sions. Twenty-seven CINEM trainers from South Central Iraq, 33 from Southern Iraq, and 22 from Baghdad participated in the workshops that were organized by a USAID partner NGO. These training sessions, held in Baghdad and Erbil, followed last weekís logistical training and focused on new regulations issued by the Inde- pendent Electoral Commission of Iraq. CINEM trainers reviewed de- tailed descriptions of the election process that the monitors will observe and report on Election Day. The training also served as a review of the original material presented in November and December. Participants reviewed polling and counting procedures, the observerís code of conduct, and overall training method- ologies to be used in training a total of 8,000-10,000 monitors throughout the country. The CINEM trainers also discussed the proper use of elec- tion monitoring reporting forms and the Observersí Quick Reference Manual. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 DISASTER ASSISTANCE JANUARY 19, 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 facili- ties 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 treat- ment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The rehab is bene- fiting 1 million residents. In the first year of programming, USAIDís humanitarian assistance fo- cused on emergency interventions 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 Iraqís inter- nally displaced people (IDP), primarily in northern Iraq, but also in two southern governorates. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAIDís Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and a partner in Diyala Governorate distributed livelihood assets packages (LAPs) to 100 internally displaced families (IDPs) in a town in Diyala Gover- norate. Each family received an entire package items. In another region of Diyala Governorate, USAID/OFDA distributed an ad- ditional 500 LAPs to IDPs families ñ most of them living in old military camps and villages near the three towns where housing and living condi- tions are poor. Last week, USAID/OFDA completed delivery of 200 LAPs to a partner organization warehouse for distribution to towns near the bor- der of Diyala and As Sulaymaniyah Governorates. Distribution of the LAPs has begun. The content of the LAPs provided to IDPs varies ac- cording to their needs, but may include items such as blankets, towels, cooking equipment, a radio, containers for water, a kerosene heater, soap and detergent, or a small stove. These projects are designed to tempo- rarily sustain IDPs until more permanent solutions can be arranged. OFDA is distributing kerosene and other assistance items to IDPs families in Diyala Governorate to improve living conditions during the cold winter months. Many IDPs families are facing the winter in old military camps and tents. Fuel supplies are currently one of the biggest problems in Iraq. In some cases, distribution of kerosene for heaters helped to reduce the tension between IDPs families ñ almost all in need of kerosene. In three towns in Diyala Governorate, USAID/OFDA distributed 2,200 empty barrels with a capacity of 220 liters per barrel. OFDA will fill each barrel three times per month. This will provide 660 litters of kerosene for each IDP family. To date, all of the empty barrels have been distributed and 900 bar- rels of kerosene have been distributed. In the northeast- ern region of Diyala Gover- norate, USAID/OFDA planned to distribute 1,500 barrels with kerosene to IDPs families. USAID/OFDAís partner organization in that region reports that 800 bar- rels have been distributed to date. Iraqi families receive LAPs. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 TRANSITION INITIATIVES JANUARY 19, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded more than 2,623 small grants totaling more than $207 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil society, conflict management and mitigation, human rights and transitional justice. • Funded over 60 grants totaling $3 million that focus on womenís issues, including sup- porting the establishment of 14 womenís 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 Baíathist 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. • Rehabilitated 105 water treatment units and 396 kilome- ters of water networks to ensure the provision of potable water in critical areas. • Rehabilitated 72 health fa- cilities and re-equipped 238 to improve the quality of health care. • Vaccinated over 3,000 women and children against measles. • Registered internally dis- placed persons and provided them with water, blankets, medical kits, and hygiene kits. • Rehabilitated a water treat- ment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The rehab is benefit- USAIDís Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the transition to a participatory, stable, and democratic country. OTI provides quick- dispensing, high-impact grants meeting critical needsóproviding short- term employment, restoring basic government and community services, increasing Iraqi access to information and communication, and encourag- ing protection of human rights. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAIDís Office of Transition Initiatives supports critical activities that build and sustain Iraqi confidence in the development of a participatory, stable, and democratic Iraq. Since April 2003, The Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) has issued more than 2,623 small grants totaling over $207 million. Initially, ITIís fast paced assistance met criti- cal needsóproviding short-term employment, restoring basic govern- ment and community services, increasing Iraqi access to information and communication, and encouraging protection of human rights. As the situation in Iraq evolves, ITI focuses on areas crucial to the devel- opment of Iraqi democracy e.g. civic education, civil society, media, womenís participation, good governance, conflict mitigation, human rights and transitional justice. Civil Society: At the national level, ITI collaborates with the U.S. and Iraqi governments on public information efforts related to the constitu- tional and electoral processes. At the local level, ITI supports program- ming that enhances citizen participation and engages communities and emerging Iraqi leaders in addressing local needs. Good Governance/Transparency: Initially, grant activities focused on ensuring that government entities had the proper facilities, equipment and supplies to carry out their functions and provide essential services to citizens. Currently ITI supports activities that help the Iraqi people learn about their rights and responsibilities in a democracy. By partici- pating in ITI sponsored workshops, conferences, opinion polls, and town meetings, Iraqis have an opportunity to develop expectations for the new Iraqi government and express views in a meaningful way. Conflict Mitigation: ITI focuses small grant activities in current or potential conflict areas using participatory methods to manage and mitigate sources of tension. ITI draws heavily upon its close working relationship with U.S. Military, Civil Affairs, and other Coalition Forces present in areas prone to or experiencing conflict. For example, ITI is working closely with the U.S. Army First Cavalry Division (or 1st Cav) in priority areas of Bagh- dad. ITI and the 1st Cavís joint efforts target immediate assistance to un- stable neighborhoods. In support of the 1st Cav, ITI has approved approxi- mately 700 grants, worth more than $80 million. Human Rights and Transitional Justice: ITI supports a wide range of ac- tivities related to human rights and transitional justice. ITI funds nascent human rights organizations and is creating a national network of these organizations to take the lead on human rights advocacy in Iraq. ITI grants bolster the participation in public life of traditionally marginalized and vul- nerable groups including women, youth, minorities, and the disabled. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● COMPLETED ACTIVITES JANUARY 19, 2005 Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport and re- stored significant portions of Iraqís telecommunications network. USAID also helped avert a humanitarian crisis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nationsí World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribution of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. SEAPORT • USAIDís $45 million programs to rehabilitate and improve management at the port were completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-draft ships; maintenance dredging is ongoing. • Applied port tariffs on June 20, 2003. • Renovated the grain-receiving facility to process 600 MT of grain an hour. • Renovated the administration building, passenger terminal, customs hall, and electrical substations. TELECOMMUNICATIONS • Audited more than 1,200 km of the fiber optic backbone network and performed emergency repairs, re- connecting 20 cities and 70% of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed 13 new switches, and fully integrated them with the 14 existing switches. • Ministry of Communications reactivated more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdadís largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained ITPC engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway system and the new switches. FOOD SECURITY • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distri- bution System (PDS) in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. • With Iraqi food distributors, Food for Peace, the WFP, and Coalition Forces maintained deliveries from June through December 2003 in all 18 governorates. • Played a key role in an agreement between the WFP, CPA, and the MoT that provided the WFP with the resources and authority to continue to support the PDS through June 2004. • In partnership with the United States Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distribu- tion System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11 FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY 19, 2005 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE Subtotal: $3,763,026,772 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 Army Corps of Engineers Architecture and Engineering Services Countrywide $31,328,264 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Louis Berger Group Vocational Education Countrywide $27,200,000 Louis Berger Group Private Sector Development II Countrywide $60,000,000 Bechtel National Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanitation Countrywide $1,029,833,259 Bechtel National Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanita- tion, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,386,809,782 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $165,830,000 DAI Marshlands Dhi Qar Al Basr Maysan $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $71,934,921 Fed Source Personnel Support Countrywide $300,000 IRG Reconstruction Support Countrywide $51,698,152 RTI Local Governance Countrywide $236,911,000 America's Develop- ment Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 * 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 ● 12 FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY 19, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation CEPPS Transitional Government Countrywide $20,700,000 CEPPS Voter Education, Domestic Observation and Conflict Resolution Countrywide $47,175,000 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 & Distribution: Math & Science Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Strengthen Health System Countrywide $10,000,000 SSA Port Management Um Qasr $14,318,985 SkyLink Airport Management Baghdad, Al Basrah, Mosul $27,200,000 MSI Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $5,038,772 University Partners • The Research Foundation of the State University of New York/Stony Brook and the Universities of Chicago, Boston and Oxford • The Human Rights Institute, DePaul University College of Law and Italyís International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences • University of Hawaii, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, University of Jordan and the American University in Beirut • Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Benetech, US-Iraq Business Resources • University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Cameron University and Langston University Countrywide $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/OFDAÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.Ö.ÖSubtotal: $124,938,229 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 Sanita- tion, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities Countrywide $9,043,148 The Cuny Center Research Studies Countrywide $40,260 GOAL Coordination, Nutrition Al Muthanna $1,507,900 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 13 FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY 19, 2005 FY 2003-2004 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 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 and Sanitation Countrywide $6,793,739 USAID/DCHA/FFPÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.ÖÖ..ÖSubtotal: $425,571,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $45,000,000 WFP Emerson Trustó81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 48ñ Title II emergency food commoditiesó163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchaseó330,000MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTIÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..Ö.Ö.ÖSubtotal: $318,169,128 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $9,901,515 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $290,810,533 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 Radio SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 NDI/IRI National Governance Countrywide $650,000 IFES National Governance Countrywide $1,042,315 ICNL Civil Society Countrywide $39,238 Spa War** Inter-Ministry Communications Countrywide $8,703,001 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ FROM 2003-2005ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..Ö.$4,611,205,129 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 14