IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE October 7, 2004 This report highlights overall accomplishments and weekly activities from USAID’s reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information on USAID’s pro- grams in Iraq please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. Contents: Electricity ...................................................... 2 Water and Sanitation .................................... 3 Airports.......................................................... 4 Seaports ........................................................ 4 Bridges, Roads, and Railroads.................... 5 Telecommunications .................................... 5 Education ...................................................... 6 Health............................................................. 7 Economic Governance................................ 8 Agriculture ................................................... 9 Marshlands................................................. 10 Food Security............................................. 10 Local Governance ..................................... 11 Community Action Program ..................... 12 Transition Initiatives.................................. 13 Financial Summary.................................... 14 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: The MV Banastar, the first bulk cargo grain ship to arrive at Umm Qasr since the 2003 conflict finished unloading 52,000 tons of grain on November 14, 2003. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Electricity October 7, 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: • USAID’s project to improve electri- cal generation at a major thermal power plant in Babil Governorate is about 30% complete and showing steady progress. This plant has four units which each have a nameplate rating of about 320 MW for a total of 1,280 MW. The plant was built in the early 1980s and was generat- ing about 435 MW daily when USAID began working at the plant in spring 2004. ◊ USAID’s is working with Minis- Operating unit at a USAID power plant project in central Iraq try of Electricity (ME) plant man- agers to identify components of the plant for rehabilitation and provide tech- nical and management assistance to ME maintenance forces for the rehabili- tation. This technical assistance includes providing replacement parts and equipment and supplying specialty technical services for the selected up- grades, which include repairs to boiler forced draft fans, air compressor re- builds, turbine control system repairs, intake silt removal, and water treat- ment plant rebuilding. This is a different model from projects where USAID contractors perform the majority of maintenance work and it has proved to be very successful. By summer 2004, USAID and the ME increased average daily plant production by 255 MW. This exceeded expectations of adding 240 MW. 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 340 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 2,000 MW to the national grid by December 2005 through maintenance, rehabilitation, and new gen- eration projects. • 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 7, 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: • Expansion of a major wa- ter treatment plant serving Baghdad and surrounding areas is continuing and is approximately 75% com- plete. This project will produce approximately 250 million gallons of po- table drinking water per day for Baghdad resi- dents. Workers installing a sand layer in a Baghdad water treatment plant sand filter • A new training course on the use of the Geographic Information System (GIS) is being developed in preparation for a mapping activity that will be the basis of a master plan for the improvement of sewerage services in Baghdad. USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) advisors are providing technical assistance. • USAID projects to improve the provision of potable water in the Basrah area are progressing according to schedule. To date, ten of the 14 water treatment plants are substantially complete and are undergoing inspection. The final four plants are expected to be complete by the end of October. • USAID’s new rural water initiative is underway; since construction began in September 2004, eleven wells have been drilled in Diyala’ and Salah ad Din Governorates. These wells will bring water to rural communities with popula- tions of 1,000 to 5,000. The project, which falls under USAID’s Iraq Infra- structure Reconstruction Program, will install approximately 150 wells in 300 rural communities. • Local government officials are working with LGP staff members to improve the delivery of clean water throughout the country. On September 20, LGP staff in Arbil Governorate met with officials from the Directorate of Irrigation and Water Resources to prepare assessments and guidelines for the allocation of water resources throughout the North. In Babil Governorate, LGP staff met with representatives of a local Water Department, to provide technical assistance for preparation of the water supply projects. • Nationwide: Repaired various lift stations and treatment units. • Baghdad: Expanding one water treatment plant to increase capacity by ap- proximately 250 million gallons per day and reha- bilitating 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 2 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 7, 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. Baghdad International Airport has been refur- bished and repaired with assistance from USAID and CPA. Photos: Tho- mas Hartwell • 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. Seaports Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s goal was to rehabilitate and improve management at the port, manage port administration, coordinate transport from the seaport, and facilitate cargo- handling services such as warehousing, shipment tracking, and storage. • USAID’s $45 million pro- grams to rehabilitate and improve management at the port were completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to com- The MV Banastar, the first bulk cargo grain ship to arrive at Umm Qasr since the 2003 conflict finished unloading 52,000 tons of grain on November 14, 2003. The newly refur- bished grain-receiving facil- ity moved the grain from the ship to dockside silos with- out major problems. (USAID photo) mercial traffic on June 17 2003; completed first pas- senger vessel test July 16. • Up to 50 ships offload cargo 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 admini- stration building, passenger terminal, customs hall, and electrical substations. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 4 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Bridges and Roads October 7, 2004 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. • Completed 36 detailed bridge assessments and demolished irreparable sections in preparation for Left: Vehicles line up to cross the damaged Khazir Bridge in 2003 Below: Tikrit Bridge in 2003 USAID completed the reconstruction of three major bridges in Iraq under the Iraq Infrastructure Recon- struction Project. The bridges link Baghdad to major cities in the North as well as neighboring countries and their repair will allow for goods—including hu- manitarian aid—to move quickly and effectively. ◊ Work on Al Mat Bridge was completed in Febru- ary, 2004 ◊ Work on Khazir Bridge was completed in May, 2004 ◊ Work on Tikrit Bridge was completed in Septem- ber, 2004 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. Telecommunications Major Accomplishments to Date As part of USAID’s effort to restore critical infrastructure, USAID is working with the Iraq Telecommunications and Postal Commission (ITPC) to restore the nation’s fiber optic network, repair the phone switching system in Baghdad and restore international telecommunications capability. Highlights this week: • USAID’s project to restore Iraq’s fiber optic network is now complete and new transmission equipment has been delivered, installed, tested, and commis- sioned at 24 sites from Baghdad to Al Basrah Governorate in southern Iraq. This new equipment was brought in to replace obsolete transmission equip- ment south of Baghdad. This is the second phase in USAID’s restoration of Iraq’s fiber optic network and marks the comple- tion of all USAID work to restore telecommunica- tions in Iraq. The Iraq Telecommunications and Postal Commission connected approximately 215,000 subscribers, representing all pre-war sub- scribers in Baghdad. USAID’s work allows the rehabilitated system to expand new subscribers up to a capacity of 25,000. Fiber optic transmission equipment inspection • Audited more than 1,200 km of the fiber optic backbone network and performed emergency re- pairs, reconnecting 20 cities and 70% of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by in- stalling switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed 13 new switches, and fully inte- grated them with the 14 existing switches. • Ministry of Communica- tions reactivated more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gate- way system at Baghdad’s largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained ITPC engineers and technicians in the op- eration and maintenance of the satellite gateway sys- tem and the new switches. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 5 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Education October 7, 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: • The rehabilitation of a mate- rial testing laboratory at a southern Iraqi university is complete. This project is part of USAID’s Iraq Infra- structure Reconstruction Program; it was identified as being suitable for develop- ment in response for the need to perform tests on ma- terials which will support the construction activities in Iraq. The major works un- dertaken in the upgrade of the laboratory included: building and services im- provements and furniture and equipment; repair, sup- ply and installation of addi- tional testing laboratory equipment; institutional strengthening to enhance the standard of services pro- vided by the laboratory. Laboratory stations (above) and equipment (below) during rehabilitation • 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 6 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Health October 7, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s goals include supporting a reformed Iraqi Ministry of Health, deliver- ing essential health services, funding vaccines and high protein biscuits for pregnant and nursing mothers and malnourished children, providing basic pri- mary health care equipment and supplies, training and upgrading health staff, providing health education and information, and identify the specific needs of the health sector and of vulnerable populations such as women and children. • Vaccinated over 3 million children under five and 700,000 pregnant women with vaccination campaigns that included monthly immu- nization days. • Provided supplementary doses of vitamin A for more than 600,000 children under Highlights this week: • USAID’s partner UNI- CEF is developing sev- eral new initiatives to strengthen Iraq’s health- care system and build the capacity of Iraq’s Ministry of Health (MOH) to address the population’s health care needs. These initiatives are part of an $18 mil- lion USAID grant to Some of the equipment provided in a healthcare kit UNICEF’s health pro- gram, which is improving the quality and availability of healthcare in Iraq with a special emphasis on child and maternal care. These new initiatives include construction of healthcare centers, health assessments, and MOH personnel training. • Despite difficult security conditions, the MOH and USAID are continuing their efforts to re-equip primary healthcare clinics throughout Iraq. To date, 333 primary healthcare centers have been re- equipped through the Health Systems Strengthening Program; this is more than half of the 600 clinics to be re-equipped upon completion of this program. These centers received primary healthcare kits con- taining approximately 60 items of basic medical equipment, office furniture, and laboratory equipment to improve provision of essential health services. The initiative is funded by USAID to support the MOH’s goal of rebuilding Iraq’s system of primary healthcare centers. two and 1.5 million lactating mothers. • Provided iron folate sup- plements for over 1.6 million women of childbearing age. • Screened more than 1.3 million children under five for malnutrition. • 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. • Provided skills training for 2,500 primary health care providers and 700 physi- cians. • Trained 2,000 health educators, teachers, reli- gious leaders and youth to mobilize communities on hygiene, diarrhea, breast- feeding, nutrition and immu- nization issues. • Disseminated information on essential health mes- sages to families around the country. • Renovated 110 primary health care centers. • Provided vaccines and cold chain equipment to selected health centers. • Developed a national plan for the fortification of wheat flour with iron and folic acid. A USAID primary healthcare kit USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 7 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Economic Governance October 7, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID supports sustainable economic reforms in Iraq including examining and reforming laws, regulations, and institutions and providing a framework for pri- vate sector trade, commerce, and investment. The reforms will strengthen the Central Bank and the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Commerce and Industry— among others. Highlights this week: • Preparations are ongo- ing for implementa- tion of the Financial Management Informa- tion System (FMIS), an automated account- ing and budgeting sys- tem with a centralized database, at seven Ministries of the Gov- ernment of Iraq. A training and data entry room is being con- structed at the Minis- try of Finance, and Financial Management Information System training at the Ministry of Finance conducted in summer 2004; training for seven other Minis- tries is expected to begin in October will be used to train staff from the seven Ministries on the FMIS. Orientation sessions for Ministry staff on the sys- tem have already been conducted, and full training courses will begin upon completion of the training room in early October. Once the system is in- stalled at these Ministries, staff will be able to record payment and revenue transactions, print checks, access financial information across Ministries, and produce reports quickly and accurately. • Forty-five public finance officials from local government institutions in Dhi Qar Governorate participated in a workshop on audit and public finance on September 21. The training, which was based in part on “lessons learned” from a study-trip to Cairo for Iraqi Supreme Audit Board managers, was de- signed to introduce government department managers to transparency on is- sues related to the new public procurement law. The workshop was con- ducted by Local Governance Program (LGP) staff in conjunction with the local Supreme Audit Board. • 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 8 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Agriculture October 7, 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: • On September 22, 2004, a grant agreement was signed to fund a new project to improve beekeeping in As Sulaymani- yah Governorate. Eighty-eight participating farmers and bee- keepers were briefed in their respective villages in prepara- tion for their attendance at a six-day training course, which began September 25. The course focused on improved beekeeping skills that will help participants provide increased income for themselves and their families. Beehives damaged by disease in northern Iraq; a new USAID supported program will help restore beekeeping in areas that have been constrained by diseases • More than 150 farmers attended six field days of demonstrations on new practices and technologies for improving the growth of swiss chard. Swiss chard is a dark green leafy vegetable related to the beet that is popular in Iraq. Of notable importance was the participation of women in this ongoing series of field days, one of which consisted primarily of women. These dem- onstrations are part of the Winter Vegetable Crop Demonstrations being sup- ported by the MOA and USAID’s Agriculture Reconstruction and Develop- ment Program for Iraq (ARDI). • ARDI has awarded two new grants to support agricultural development in northern Iraq. In an effort to improve livestock breeding in Iraq, ARDI has awarded a grant to a state-owned veterinary clinic in As Sulaymaniyah to install four sheep dipping tanks in four local villages. Cleaning sheep using dip tanks may increase wool value by up to 50%, and thereby improving the standard of living for nearly 500 local shepherds and their families in the area who have more than 30,000 sheep. In an effort to support improved production of high value crops, ARDI has awarded a grant to a non- governmental organization in As Sulaymaniyah Governorate to rehabilitate an orchard station. • 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. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 9 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Marshlands October 7, 2004 Major Accomplishments to Date USAID’s marshland restoration initiative works with local residents in support of marshland restoration and the social and economic development of marsh communities. Before the marshes were drained, the marsh economy was based on agriculture, livestock, birding, mat- making, and fishing. Although fishing was a primary economic livelihood for only a few low-status tribes, sub- sistence fishing was practiced widely, and fish was a major food item. USAID’s Marshlands program aims to rehabilitate fish stocks to allow these practices to resume. Fish production increases will be achieved by re- flooding the largest possible area and by keeping sluices open within flood control and agricultural constraints to maintain fish migration and spawning. Fishery diversity and productivity will take years to return, but there are encouraging signs that it can recover. • 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. Food Security Major Accomplishments to Date As part of the U.S. Government’s assistance plan, USAID played a leading role in helping to avert a humanitarian crisis in Iraq by providing assistance to the United Nations’ World Food Program through USAID’s Office of Food for Peace. Having averted a food crisis immediately following the conflict, USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribution of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re- establish the Public Distribu- tion System (PDS) in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. Workers load food supplies from a World Food Program warehouse in Umm Qasr, for distribution through local neighborhood agents. USAID supports the program which provides basic food rations to a large number of needy fami- lies in Southern Iraq. • With Iraqi food distribu- tors, 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 deliv- ered 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 10 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Local Governance October 7, 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: • USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) is continuing efforts to educate Iraqis on democracy and provide forums for constructive discussions on Iraq’s evolving political issues. This week, 16 civic dialogue program conferences were held in the conflictive area of Salah ad Din Governorate. These confer- ences generally include 75-250 people and are conducted by trained Iraqi staff. Conference participants discussed human rights, the Transitional Administra- tive Law, elections, Islam and democracy, and federalism. • Babil Governorate local government officials are increasing collaboration be- tween local government, coalition forces, and LGP through weekly meetings to coordinate activities. Last week, attendees from the local government in- cluded representatives of the Governorate Council responsible for public ser- vices and representatives of governorate departments related to services such as education, electricity, health, municipality, sewage, and water. Meeting par- ticipants discussed local development objectives for Babil Governorate, invest- ment priorities, citizen participation in project preparation procedures, and the ethics of vetting and awarding contracts. • A local sewerage department in Babil Governorate is working with the LGP to construct a storm-drain system to alleviate potential flooding in the area. Ad- visors from LGP are providing technical expertise to assist in project imple- mentation and training department officials and local council members to monitor project implementation. • A government office in southern Iraq has received office furniture and equip- ment valued at $246,434 under a grant from USAID’s Iraq Transition Initia- tive. This agency oversees youth centers and sports facilities in the region and this project will help it to constructively engage young people. • Forty-two local government representatives participated in a LGP sponsored management training workshop from September 23-25 in Dahuk Governorate. Participants included officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Construc- tion, the Governor’s office and a local university. The workshop covered a range of topics including time management, leadership skills, managerial skills, delegation of authority and problem solving. • 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 11 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Community Action Program October 7, 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: • Since the cessation of hostilities in Na- jaf last month, USAID has resumed ac- tivities in the area. Almost immediately after the conflict, USAID’s Infrastruc- ture and Community Action Programs resumed operations, while USAID’s Agriculture Reconstruction and Devel- opment Program for Iraq (ARDI) is continuing a project to repair the civil, electrical and sanitary works at a veteri- nary clinic in Najaf. By September 20, USAID/OTI cleared 19 new small A worker installing a streetlight in in Najaf . This is an example of a Community Action Program project completed in Najaf earlier this year; simi- lar projects are now underway. grants valued at $3.4 million. During the conflict, USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) provided food and non-food items through partners to assist 1,000 internally displaced people. • 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 12 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Transition Initiatives October 7, 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. OTI’s fast-paced assistance meets 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. • Awarded more than 1,820 small grants totaling more than $136.5 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil soci- ety, conflict management and mitigation, human rights and transitional justice. • Supporting initiatives Highlights this week: • With the support of a $2,500 grant from the Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) , one university in southern Iraq recently conducted 16 lectures on democracy and human rights for different sectors of Iraqi society. The lectures high- lighted principles of basic human rights, democracy, federalism, elections, and women’s participation in public debate and institutions. • ITI has been working with community leaders in south central Iraq to identify issues and build consensus for solving problems. Two projects generated through this process have recently been completed. In the first project, a com- munity of 6,200 people decided that the rehabilitation of a local road and the community water supply network was essential for their health and safety. With a $196,000 grant from ITI, the community repaired two kilometers of road that connects the area to major highways. Under the second project, they improved the water supply system with an ITI grant for $73,275. These pro- jects and others like them are helping local governments learn to respond to citizens’ needs and build trust in the democratic process. • A village in northern Iraq recently rehabilitated and equipped the mayor’s of- fice with the assistance of a $55,000 grant from ITI. This project will help the local government meet the needs of the people and enhance good governance practices in a rural area of northern Iraq. • An farmer support organization in a northern governorate recently provided furniture and equipment to its local and district offices with the assistance of a $60,000 grant from ITI. Through this grant, ten offices have received basic office equipment and furniture that will build the capacity of the organization and help it to meet the needs of its clients. • A sports association in a northern Iraqi village has furnished and equipped its sports club and stadium with the assistance of an ITI grant for $42,100. The facilities are used for recreation by local individuals and teams, and to host competitions with teams from around the country. The grant has provided sports equipment and uniforms, as well as office equipment and furniture to enhance the facility. This project is revitalizing an important part of the com- munity’s infrastructure and demonstrating the Interim Government’s commit- ment to meeting the needs of citizens throughout the country. crucial to the democratic transition, including civic education, civil society and media development, in- creased women’s participa- tion, conflict mitigation and transitional justice. Groups targeted for assistance in- clude women’s and youth groups, professional asso- ciations and human rights organizations. • 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. • 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. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 13 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary October 7, 2004 FY 2003-2004* 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 14 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary October 7, 2004 FY 2003-2004* 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............................................................................................................................. $113,165,049 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $7,610,772 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 15 Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update Financial Summary October 7, 2004 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 $16,452,898 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 $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 $4,000,000 OCHA Coordination and Information $1,200,000 USAID/Jordan Support for Emergency Water Activities $500,000 WFP Food Security, Logistics $5,000,000 World Vision Health, Logistics, Non-Food Items, 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................................................................................................................................$214,027,012 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $7,087,595 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $195,944,504 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 IN FY 2003/2004 ...............................................................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. USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq 16