USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 36, 7 July 2005

RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE July 7, 2005 USAID is restoring and expanding a water treatment plant which will supply 170 million gallons per day to Baghdad’s potable water supply. Contents: Electricity ...........................................................2 Water and Sanitation.........................................3 Economic Governance ......................................4 Agriculture.........................................................5 National Governance......................................... 6 Local Governance ............................................. 7 Community Action Program ........................... 8 Education ....................................................... 9 Health............................................................. 10 Transition Initiatives ....................................... 11 Completed Activities....................................... 12 Financial Summary ........................................ 13 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraq’s Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovernmental organizations and private sector partners. This report highlights USAID’s overall accomplishments and recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WWW.USAID.GOV ELECTRICITY July 7, 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 ‘04, the Ministry of Electricity—with as- sistance from USAID—has 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 Fall’s maintenance program. • Repairing thermal units, replac- ing turbines, rehabilitating the power distribution network, and installing and restoring genera- tors. • USAID has added 855 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 place an additional 792 MW in the national grid by Decem- ber 2005 through maintenance, rehabilitation, and new genera- tion 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. • USAID initiated a project to re- habilitate 13 existing substa- tions 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 recently handed over work on 12 of these sub- stations to the Ministry of Elec- tricity. 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 2003 to restore the capacity of Iraq’s power system. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Iraq’s power generation capability has lacked an effective operation and maintenance (O&M) program. Power plants require specific scheduled maintenance, without which generating capacity is compromised. Although total rated electrical generation capacity for Iraq’s power infrastructure is nearly 10,000 MW, actual operating electrical generation has generally per- formed in the range of 35% to 50% of this rated capacity (3,500 to 5,000 MW). The lack of O&M training for power plant staff has contributed to this under- performance. To protect infrastructure investments in the future, USAID has conducted an O&M training program for officials and technical staff in the Ministry of Elec- tricity (MOE) and at power plants. Two hundred and thirty-nine students have been trained under this program. The final two classes of Tier 4 instruction, consisted of 57 students, and was completed on June 30. At the MOE’s request, the O&M program also includes a spare parts and sup- port element in addition to a training element. Since the former regime ne- glected to provide the spare parts and support required to maintain Iraq’s power plants, a number of plants were unable to function at full capacity be- fore USAID began its O&M activities. The parts and support provided by USAID have assisted in an internal inspection of two General Electric Com- bustion Turbine units at Qudas Power Plant. The procurement of spare parts for power plants in Hillah, Taji and Mosul are also being provided under this task order. The completed O&M training will improve overall operating standards, effi- ciency, and reliability of existing power plants. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE WATER AND SANITATION USAID’s 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 USAID’s $600 million in water and sanitation projects. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID is expanding and re- storing a 170 Million gallon per day (MGD) water treatment plant outside of Baghdad to combat the city’s predicted 30% daily shortage of potable water. To increase production, USAID completed a 50 million gallon per day (MGD) expansion of a water treatment plant, lo- cated on the Tigris River. This existing water treatment plant was designed for a maximum of 120 MGD; however, the actual operating capacity was as low as 36 MGD, due to inefficient equip- ment. USAID accepted responsibility for completion of the expansion of the plant which was begun under the Oil for Food Program. In order to further reduce anticipated water shortages in Baghdad, USAID is restoring the existing water treatment plant to its original capacity and providing the design for a second expansion at this site. Combined, the initial expansion and the plant restora- tion are expected to increase the supply of treated water by approximately 90 MGD. Phase I required completion of the design and construction of the 50 MGD plant expansion. Phase II includes the construction of a new raw water intake structure, refurbishment of the existing plant to include civil structures, electri- cal and mechanical systems, intake pumps and other equipment rehabilita- tion. Plant personnel will be trained in proper operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plant equipment and O&M documentation for the new equipment will be supplied. Currently, work continues on the rehabilitation of the clarifier tanks while the new raw water intake subcontractor has begun excavating and preparing for sheet pile driving. Negotiations are ongoing with subcontractor for emplacing a temporary bypass for the damaged pre-chlorination system. The subcon- tractor for the installation of the installation of intake/deliver pumps is mobiliz- ing. July 7, 2005 • Nationwide: Repaired various sewage lift stations and water treatment units. • Baghdad: Expanding and reha- bilitating one water treatment plant and constructing another to increase capacity by approxi- mately 90 million gallons per day; rehabilitating sewage treat- ment 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 per- cent capacity, serving 80 per- cent of Baghdad’s population. − Standby generators are being installed at 41 Baghdad water facilities. • South: Rehabilitated parts of the Sweet Water Canal system, including repairing breaches, cleaning the main reservoirs, and refurbished 14 water treat- ment 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 Iraq’s holiest shrines. • North: Completed rehabilitation of Kirkuk water plant and con- tinuing refurbishment of sewage plant near Mosul. USAID is restoring and expanding a water treatment plant which will supply 170 million gallons per day to Baghdad’s water supply. The work is expected to be completed in June 2006. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE July 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Developed WTO Accession Roadmap in cooperation with Iraqi officials. • Provided technical assistance as well as information on con- tracting opportunities for Iraqi businesses and entrepreneurs through business centers. • Worked with the Ministry of Fi- nance to introduce the new Iraqi dinar. • Created more than 77,000 pub- lic works jobs through the Na- tional Employment Program. • Provided technical assistance on accounting, budgeting and lending activities at Iraq’s com- mercial banks. Trained 116 bankers from the Rafidain and Rasheed banks in six training courses. • Assisted in management of $21 million micro-credit program. • Improved statistical analysis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision procedures at Iraq’s Central Bank; offered a two-week banking course to Central Bank staff with the Fed- eral Reserve Bank of New York. • Evaluated and updated com- mercial laws on private sector and foreign investment. • Assisted in developing the five percent reconstruction levy on imports; built capacity of cus- toms officials to implement levy. • Developed a government-wide IT strategy to support the auto- mation of planning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • 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 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 The first meeting to establish a working group of Iraqi securities profes- sionals was held in Baghdad to institute international best practices for equity/bond markets and to develop fair, efficient, and liquid systems for market regulation and enforcement. The group consisted of high level repre- sentatives of the Iraq Securities Commission, the Iraq Stock Exchange, and the Iraqi Association of Securities Dealers. Participants discussed a combined work plan that would serve as a blueprint for the development of a modern securities market infrastructure in Iraq. The Working Group was organized with the assis- tance of the USAID Iraq Private Sector Development program and the Office of Private Sector Development of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office. A consultant working with the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) on USAID’s Business Skills Training Program conducted a four- day training in Baghdad on May 31st in support of the Iraqi Middle Market Development Fund, a loan program underwritten by CitiBank, ABN Amro and the American Export/Import Bank. Under this program, loans greater than $500,000 are extended to established Iraqi businesses. The process re- quires the creation, submission and acceptance of a sound business plan. Dur- ing the training, the 13 business owners learned the importance of a business plan and how to prepare one that reflects goals and outcomes. USAID’s VEGA program is expanding its geographic coverage into the non-permissive areas of Kirkuk, Tikrit, Diyala’, and Ninawa’. VEGA is work- ing with eight new clients in those areas. The businesses in Tikrit—a restaurant, blacksmith, and block factory—are in the process of completing grant applica- tions. In Baghdad, VEGA assessed 25 Small/Medium Enterprises and accepted the submission of 22 grant applications. VEGA also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iraqi Economic Development Center (IEDC) to deliver business development services in Baghdad and other non- permissive areas. VEGA continues to partner with the Iraqi Businessmen’s Un- ion in Baghdad for the purpose of identifying potential grantees. The USAID Economic Governance II program sponsored the First Annual Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference for Invest- ment Promotion in Kurdish Iraq. The conference, held in Arbil, attracted 450 business leaders, government leaders, association professionals and private investors. This pioneering effort raised awareness about business opportunities in northern Iraq, created networking opportunities, and shared information on capacity development and training assistance programs. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Summer and Winter Crop Technology Demonstrations: These demonstrations are intro- ducing farmers to new technolo- gies and techniques through extension field days. • Animal Health: Several veteri- nary clinics in Kirkuk, Fallujah, and other cities are being reno- vated and a grant has been made for dipping tanks to im- prove sheep health and wool. • Technology Support: The Min- istry of Agriculture and a major university’s schools of Agricul- ture and Veterinary Science have been awarded grants to furnish and equip computer centers, improving research capabilities and consulting ca- pacity. • Date Palm Propagation: In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, 40,000 elite date palm offshoots are being used to establish mother orchards in 13 governorates as part of a multiplication program and the establishment of a national reg- ister of elite varieties. • Agriculture Sector Transition Plan: This plan, completed in mid-April, addresses the short- term recovery of agricultural infrastructure as well as medium and long-term implementation of policies to develop a market- based agricultural economy. AGRICULTURE USAID’s goals are to work in conjunction with Iraqi ministries, the private sec- tor, and higher education institutions to revitalize agricultural production, stimulate income and employment generation, nurture rural initiatives, and rehabilitate the natural resource base. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Leaders of partner organizations gained important facilitator skills at a three-day workshop conducted by an organizational development spe- cialist provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and USAID’s Agri- culture Reconstruction and Development for Iraq (ARDI) program. The 10 participants learned how to facilitate meetings and manage tense situa- tions similar to those they might encounter at their own organizations. In the long run, the leadership will help form a capable body of leaders who will rep- resent the interest of farmers and work to develop Iraqi agriculture through work on other projects. Iraq’s MOA and USAID’s ARDI program recently participated in a confer- ence to evaluate the state of agriculture in the Wasit governorate and to set development priorities. Attended by the governors and the general di- rectors of several regional ministries and other ministry representatives who rarely attend agricultural development discusses, the participants reached a consensus on issues and projects that will contribute to a systemic improve- ment in local agricultural infrastructure. The general directors for regional oil and electricity resources attended which allowed for coordination on important projects. The cooperation is especially useful in improving issues such as irri- gation that were addressed at the conference. The MOA and USAID’s ARDI program recently completed a leadership and strategy training workshop for a farmers’ cooperative, a grassroots NGO which reaches scores of farmers. The workshop helped the coopera- tive to identify its goals and objectives and craft effective strategies to provide better services to farmers. This farmer’s cooperative, like other local groups, provides a link between individuals and the government and offers farmers advice and services that the government does not. The group has over 140 members and conducts activities in many nearby villages. The two-day train- ing allowed for a thorough consideration of the organization’s mission, goals, objective and strategy. The first day defined strategic goals and asked the group to think about the organization’s path. The second day helped the or- ganization develop its objectives and action items for each goal. Iraq’s MOA and USAID’s ARDI program have approved the repair of a system of tertiary canals in Babil Governorate, a key part of the area’s hydraulic infrastructure. Due to poor maintenance since its installation in the 1980’s, the system of canals does not provide adequate water to the seven villages that draw from its supply for irrigation and domestic purposes. The project will replace approximately 3,500 square meters of the canal’s concrete lining. Funding has also been appropriated for a training course for Ministry personnel on minor hydraulic infrastructure operations and maintenance. This will help ensure that the canal does not fall into disrepair again. In total, 2,500 hectares of land will be better irrigated by this project, and approximately 4,500 individuals will directly benefit. July 7, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 NATIONAL GOVERNANCE July 7, 2005 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES • Strengthen the capacity of the legislative branch of the Iraqi interim and transitional govern- ments and its staff during the interim and transition period to include lawmaking, representa- tion, executive oversight, and other responsibilities as pro- vided by the Transitional Admin- istrative Law. • Assist the Executive Authority, the Presidency Council, and the Council of Ministers and its pre- siding Prime Minister to develop governing processes, rules of procedure, regulations and di- rectives necessary to enforce the laws, and to implement gov- ernment programs and policies • Support the process for adop- tion of an Iraqi constitution that promotes democratic principles and values through the provi- sion of technical assistance that includes, but is not limited to, providing comparative constitu- tional expertise; organizing con- stitutional conferences and con- ventions; facilitating public awareness, education, and par- ticipation; and assisting in the conduct of a national referen- dum or other ratifying mecha- nism. In the post-election period, USAID will continue to plan and implement a vari- ety of programs, undertaken in full partnership with Iraqi counterparts, match- ing the needs of the evolving Iraqi democracy. In particular, USAID is acceler- ating support to the Iraq National Assembly and the Constitutional Drafting Commission. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A Clerk of the Florida House of Representatives recently joined the USAID team working with the Iraqi National Assembly (INA) to begin the development of an INA chief clerk’s office. The clerk’s office provides ad- ministrative and executive management support to the day-to-day functions of parliament and parliamentarians. USAID also met with the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Assembly to gain his perspective on how the chief clerk’s office fits into the INA’s overall admin- istrative plan. The Chief of Staff indicated he envisions the office as a large department with many functions to support the legislative business of the chamber. USAID’s partner working with the INA staff continued media relations skills training for the INA’s public affairs staff. The workshop included a discussion between the five staff members in attendance and an assistant edi- tor of the Iraqi newspaper Al-Sabah, a Baghdad daily. Discussions focused on how the staff and media perceive each other and what needs to be done to foster better communication. On June 5, a follow-up training for INA members was held that focused on strengthening members’ knowledge of he nuances of parliamentary business. The workshop highlighted the important role of committee structure and management within the legislature. Participants learned about public con- sultations, work procedures, oversight techniques, committee leadership du- ties, staff roles, how to use their expertise efficiently, the role of public hear- ings in a transparent legislature, and conducting public hearings. A second, workshop took place on June 6 to train INA representatives on the role of cau- cuses and civil society. USAID’s partner providing support to the Constitutional development process held a meeting entitled The Effect of the Constitution: the Step after the Referendum for 25 lawyers—including 7 women—from unions, private practice law offices and NGOs. NGO lawyers gained a better under- standing of the role of the constitution in protecting the rights of the citizens of Iraq. USAID’s partner providing support to the constitutional development process is staging a Constitutional Dialogue Program. The program will focus on civic education and encourage public input in the drafting process. Participation of 200 to 300 trainers, 100 to 150 NGOs, and 200,000 Iraqis na- tionwide is expected. The team has recruited NGOs and facilitators nation- wide to participate in the first of several training sessions on civic dialogue and its importance in influencing the constitutional drafting process. Materials are being produced to be compiled in a facilitator’s handbook for use in the train- ings. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 LOCAL GOVERNANCE 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. July 7, 2005 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES • More than $2.5 million was committed to the nationwide Civic Education Campaign, which educated Iraqis on de- mocracy and political transition in Iraq. Over 550 democratic dialogue facilitators were re- cruited to help Iraqis participate in political processes. More than 29,000 local democracy dialogues events were con- ducted by Election Day, in which well over 789,700 Iraqis participated. • Established regional offices in Al Basrah, Al Hillah, Baghdad, and Erbil, with resident expat and Iraqi professional staff oper- ating in all 18 governorates. • Awarded $15.5 million in rapid- response grants in the first pro- gram year to strengthen the capacity of municipal authorities to deliver core municipal ser- vices. The grants were used to restore services in agriculture, education, health, electricity, sanitation, and water. In the second year, a similar grants program worth $1.5 million has been implemented. • Facilitated the establishment or refreshment of 16 governorate councils, 90 district councils, 194 city or sub-district councils, and 445 neighborhood councils. • Supported preparation of 2004 and 2005 budgets in Baghdad, Mosul, Hillah, Babil, and Najaf. • Organized and carried out nu- merous selection processes for governors and mayors, as well as local council elections, throughout Iraq. • Supported a series of National Agenda Dialogue Conferences, which engaged stakeholders such as academics, journalists, women, lawyers, health profes- sionals, tribal leaders, the dis- abled and civil society organiza- tions in discussions on their roles in Iraq’s developing de- mocracy. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Representatives of USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) recently met with eight members of the Babil Provincial Council (PC) to discuss a workshop on Federalism and to review its governing bodies’ policy and procedures. The Babil PC recently issued the following decisions which re- flect the impact of LGP training on its decision making process: • Babil PC as part of its organizational and oversight role, has asked citi- zens, in the event of a claim, to send representatives to meet the PC rather than organizing public demonstrations. This decision was taken due to the current security situation. • The PC used lessons learned from CD ROM trainings on Sources of Au- thority and Council Work Methods to communicate with the Ministry of Communications about an offer presented by a telecommunications com- pany to the PC regarding installation of a telecommunication project in the province. USAID’s partner providing support to the constitutional development process released their June Civil Society Newsletter this week to 150 Iraqi NGOs, informing them about the latest political news regarding the constitution. The newsletter contains information about the timeline for the development of the constitution and the drafting process. This kind of infor- mational support is provided to NGOs who have received grants from USAID to work on projects pertaining to constitutional awareness. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM The Community Action Program works in rural and urban communities to pro- mote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through partner NGOs and in consultation with local government representatives, USAID is creating representative participatory community groups to identify critical priorities and implement programs to address those needs. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID’s Community Action Program worked with the Armenian commu- nity in Baghdad to build a community center. With approximately 40,000 people the Armenian community is one of the smallest in Iraq. Their only so- cial club is the Armenian Club in Baghdad’s Rusafa district. The club building was built 80 years ago of mud bricks as a camp for the British colony. After- wards, it became a social club for the Iraqi Armenians. Due to its primitive construction and poor maintenance, the club building was in a highly deteriorated state. After an assessment it was agreed that a com- plete reconstruction was required. The project will better serve the needs of the Armenian community and help integrate with other groups. The project cost was $290,000. July 7, 2005 • USAID has committed over $131 million to 3,120 projects while Iraqi communities have committed more than 25% of total funding. CAP has established over 600 community action groups (CAGs) in 17 governorates. Five U.S. NGOs each concentrate on a region: north, Baghdad, south- west central, southeast central, and south. • The northern program focuses on the conflict prone areas of the Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and the Iran-Iraq border. The partner NGO has completed 433 projects with over $29 million in project commitments including improving the Tikrit water supply, and devel- oping income generation projects in the north. • In the southwest central region, the partner NGO has established a strong presence in Hillah and the Shi’a holy cities Najaf and Karbala. Emphasis on critical infrastructure needs has improved community water/sanitation ser- vices and schools, and repaired vital social infrastructure. They have completed 322 projects and have over $21.5 million in project commitments. • Income generation is an important emphasis in the Baghdad pro- gram where 522 projects have been completed through CAGs. A marketplace for over 700 vendors is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste dumps. Total project commit- ments are $22.3 million. • In the southeast central region, 179 projects are complete with a total of $16.7 million in commit- ments. In the Shi’i heartland, these projects address needs resulting from decades of govern- ment neglect and focus on water, sewerage, community clean-up, and school rehabilitation. • The southern program has com- pleted 625 projects with total com- mitments of $21.9 million. Pro- jects have focused on immediate community needs such as sew- age clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and girls’ access to education. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 EDUCATION July 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • 2,510 schools have been rehabili- tated through direct contracting and grants to communities. • Hundreds of thousands of desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and kits for primary and secondary schools have been distributed countrywide. • 32,700 secondary school teach- ers and administrators, including 928 master trainers, have been trained nationwide. Over the next year, up to 100,000 additional teachers will receive in-service training. • Eighty-four primary and secon- dary schools (four in each gover- norate) are being established to serve as “centers of excellence.” Teachers will receive six weeks of training, and schools will be equipped with computer and sci- ence laboratories. • More than 550 out-of-school youth completed a pilot acceler- ated learning program. An ex- panded program, targeting 10,000 out-of-school youth, will be imple- mented during the 2005–06 school year. • Satellite Internet access and com- puters installed at the Ministry of Education and in all 21 Director- ates of Education. To improve resource management, an Educa- tion Management Information System is being developed. • More than 8.7 million math and science textbooks have been edited, printed, and distributed throughout Iraq. • Partnerships have been estab- lished between five American and ten Iraqi universities. Through these partnerships, more than 1,500 Iraqi faculty and students have participated in workshops, trainings, conferences, and courses in Iraq, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. • University facilities, such as librar- ies, computer and science labora- tories, lecture halls, and buildings, have been rehabilitated at col- leges of law, engineering, medi- cine, archeology, and agriculture. In addition, books and electronic resources have been provided to university libraries. USAID’s goals are to increase enrollment, improve primary and secondary education, ensure classrooms have sufficient supplies, facilitate community involvement, train teachers, implement accelerated learning programs, and establish partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi colleges and universities. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Jackson State University (JSU) and the Mississippi Consortium for Inter- national Development (MCID) are continuing to supply three major Iraqi universities with equipment and textbooks that will replace inventory destroyed during conflict and looting and augment the institutions’ pro- grams. JSU/MCID is currently facilitating the shipment of information technol- ogy equipment to the three universities including networking hardware and software. More than 900 books were also recently distributed among the li- braries at the three northern Iraqi universities. USAID is supporting the Ministry of Education in its development of an Education Management Information System (EMIS) for Iraqi schools. Work is currently being conducted on developing the various subsystems that will track educational data. EMIS will assist the Ministry of Education in na- tionwide monitoring and planning related to facilities, human resources, enroll- ment, student performance, and other information. The Iraqi Ministry of Education (MOE) and USAID are working together to establish a series of model schools under the basic education pro- gram that will help Iraqi educators implement new and innovative teach- ing methods while giving students access to improved equipment. The model schools program seeks to establish four model schools in each MOE directorate to demonstrate improved systems and teaching methods. Each MOE directorate will have two primary model schools and two secondary model schools. Ultimately, this will include 84 schools. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 HEALTH July 7, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Vaccinated over 3 million chil- dren under five and 700,000 pregnant women with vaccina- tion campaigns that included monthly immunization days. • Provided supplementary doses of vitamin A for more than 600,000 children under two and 1.5 million lactating moth- ers. • Provided iron folate supple- ments for over 1.6 million women of childbearing age. • Screened more than 1.3 million children under five for malnutri- tion. • Distributed high protein bis- cuits to more than 450,000 children and 200,000 pregnant and nursing mothers. • Provided potable water for 400,000 persons each day in Basrah city and 170,000 per- sons in Kirkuk and Mosul. • Provided skills training for 2,500 primary health care pro- viders and 700 physicians. • Trained 2,000 health educa- tors, teachers, religious lead- ers and youth to mobilize com- munities on hygiene, diarrhea, breastfeeding, nutrition and immunization issues. • Disseminated information on essential health messages to families around the country. • Renovated 110 primary health care centers. • Provided vaccines and cold chain equipment to selected health centers. • Developed a national plan for the fortification of wheat flour with iron and folic acid. USAID delivered measuring boards with these instructions to Iraq’s Ministry of Health to help measure children for malnutrition. USAID is supporting the Iraqi Ministry of Health, to strengthen essential health services, improve the capacity of health personnel, and respond to the spe- cific health needs of vulnerable populations such as women and children. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK With the assistance of the World Health Organization, and USAID, UNICEF supported Iraq’s Ministry of Health in car- rying out the national Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) campaign to immunize all chil- dren between 13-59 months in all governorates. UNICEF monitors supplied 5,000 registry books and provided supervisory and monitoring support to vacci- nation teams covering an esti- mated 4 million children over a period of 14 days. Preliminary coverage figures were very en- couraging; vaccination teams managed to reach 90-100% of their daily targets despite security restrictions. USAID and UNICEF are supporting the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Tar- geted Nutrition Program through the provision of anthropometric meas- uring scales; the first shipment of 126 boards (out of a total of 1,300 boards) was delivered to the MoH central warehouse. These boards were then distributed to all governorates and will be used in Primary Health Care centers to identify children suffering from acute malnutrition and who can then be referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) for care and close medical supervision. Earlier shipments of therapeutic milk and high protein spread sachets are currently under distribution to all governorates, to be used in all NRCs for the nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished children. UNICEF, with support from USAID, delivered four refrigerated vehicles worth $168,800 to Ministry of Health warehouses. Two vehicles were allo- cated for Arbil and Basrah to support the transportation of vaccines and sera/ antigens between northern and southern governorates, and Baghdad ware- houses. The remaining two vehicles will be used to support the transportation of vaccines among the central governorates. These vehicles are essential components of UNICEF’s support to the cold chain system. The cold-chain system for vaccines and antigens is an essential element for the successful provision of immunizations. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded 3,870 small grants totaling $281.7 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil society, conflict management and miti- gation, human rights and transi- tional justice. • Funded 111 grants totaling over $4.23 million that focus on women’s issues, including sup- porting the establishment of 24 women’s centers in Iraq. Reha- bilitated over 264 Iraqi national ministries, schools, clinics and other municipal buildings. Sup- porting 65 Iraqi groups in docu- menting human rights abuses of the Ba’athist regime and pro- moting peace, tolerance, and reconciliation. • Met critical needs during and immediately after the conflict by providing short-term employ- ment, restoring basic govern- ment and community services, increasing Iraqi access to infor- mation and communication and encouraging protection of hu- man rights. TRANSITION INITIATIVES USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the transition to a par- ticipatory, stable, and democratic country. OTI provides quick-dispensing, high-impact grants meeting critical needs—providing short-term employment, restoring basic government and community services, increasing access to in- formation and communication, and encouraging protection of human rights. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A sub-district local council in south-central Iraq repaired branch lines and main lines of bedding in the storm drainage system through two Iraq Transi- tion Initiative (ITI) grants. The city in this sub-district had a problem with flooding during the rainy season because the main sewage and drainage systems had not been repaired or maintained over the past 35 years. Furthermore, holes in the septic tanks led to overflow onto main roads, leading to standing water which put the local population at risk for water-borne diseases. In order to address these needs, ITI partnered with the local government and coalition forces, developing a plan that would prevent flooding during the rainy season, maintain safe traffic, minimize property damage, and improve public health. By implementing this re- pair plan, ITI provided local engineers, laborers and other skilled professionals with employment opportunities. The engineers provided by ITI taught local engi- neers and skilled professionals how to maintain and repair the drainage system. A local council of a city in south-central Iraq employed 1,366 residents from local communities for 60 days in labor-intensive cleanup, debris and rubble removal, and other sanitation work under a series of ITI grants. Although hostilities in this area have waned since May 2004, the region remains unstable with high unemployment rates. Through this cleanup effort, ITI provided an oppor- tunity for youth and young adults to contribute to the well-being of their families. The activity also provided a benefit to the entire community by improving living conditions and helping to stabilize the area by demonstrating that local govern- ment is able to meet the needs of residents. A Directorate of Education in southern Iraq provided essential furniture for students and teachers at 12 new area schools with the support of a series of ITI grants. The schools were built by the United States military to replace facilities made of dried mud and reeds. Providing new student desks and office furniture helps create a safe and learning-friendly environment that allows students to focus on their education. This assistance also demonstrated tangible improvement in these communities, creating a more positive outlook among youth on the future of Iraq. A city in southern Iraq rehabilitated approximately 7.5 kilometers of roads in a densely populated quarter through a series of 14 ITI grants. The grants provided equipment and labor for road repair in this area, and cre- ated short-term employment opportunities for approximately 3000 local unem- ployed laborers over a 45-day period. The jobs helped to mitigate some of this tension in the area caused by high crime, unemployment and inadequate public and community services. The work consisted of a complete, labor- intensive re-grading of the roads. This assistance has also lead to a visible improvement in the area and assisted with the delivery of an essential public service by the city, increasing trust and confidence in newly-elected local offi- cials. July 7, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11 COMPLETED ACTIVITES Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed their planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport, re- stored significant portions of Iraq’s telecommunications network, rebuilt three major bridges and restored the rail line connecting Umm Qasr with Basra city and points north. USAID also helped avert a humanitarian cri- sis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nations’ World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribution of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. SEAPORTS • The $45 million program to rehabilitate and improve management at Umm Qasr seaport was completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17, 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-draft ships; maintenance dredging is ongoing. • Applied port tariffs on June 20, 2003. • Renovated the grain-receiving facility to process 600 MT of grain an hour. • Renovated the administration building, passenger terminal, customs hall, and electrical substations. TELECOMMUNICATIONS • Audited more than 1,200 km of the fiber optic backbone network and performed emergency repairs, reconnecting 20 cities and 70% of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed and fully integrated 13 new switches with 14 existing switches. • Worked with the Ministry of Communications to reactivate more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdad’s largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained telecom engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway system and the new switches. BRIDGES AND ROADS • Rebuilt three major bridges—Khazir, Tikrit and Al Mat bridges—critical for the movement of people and commercial products throughout the country. • Rebuilt a substantial portion of the Iraqi Republican Railway line connecting Basrah with the port of Umm Qasr includ- ing physical track construction, installing culverts, and repairing gatehouses. The remainder of the work has been handed over to the Ministry of Transportation. This work facilitates the shipment of bulk cargo from the port to Bagh- dad and throughout the country. FOOD SECURITY • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distribution Sys- tem (PDS) in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. • With Iraqi food distributors, Food for Peace, the WFP, and Coalition Forces maintained deliveries from June through December 2003 in all 18 governorates. • Played a key role in an agreement between the WFP, CPA, and the MoT that provided the WFP with the resources and authority to continue to support the PDS through June 2004. • In partnership with the United States Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distribution System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. July 7, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 12 FINANCIAL SUMMARY July 7, 2005 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE .................................................................................. Subtotal: 4,090,878,068 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 America's Develop- ment Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 Army Corps of Eng. Architecture and Engineering Services Countrywide $30,842,037 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Bechtel Airports, buildings, power, railroads, roads, bridges, port, water and sanitation Countrywide $1,029,833,259 Bechtel Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanita- tion, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,386,809,782 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 CEPPS Transitional Government Countrywide $20,700,000 CEPPS Voter Education, Domestic Observation and Con- flict Resolution Countrywide $49,275,000 CEPPS Elections Administration Support Countrywide $40,000,000 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $258,820,000 DAI Marshlands South $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $101,352,912 Fed Source Personnel Support Countrywide $300,000 IRG Reconstruction Support Countrywide $52,171,260 Logenix Health North/Central $108,506 Louis Berger Vocational Education Countrywide $75,016,115 Louis Berger Private Sector Development II Countrywide $95,000,000 MSI Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $5,284,781 Partnership for Child Healthcare Health Countrywide $2,000,000 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 13 FINANCIAL SUMMARY July 7, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation RTI Local Governance Countrywide $241,910,757 RTI Local Governance II Countrywide $70,000,000 RTI Health Training Countrywide 15,000,000 SkyLink Airport Management Bag., Bas., Mos. $27,200,000 SSA Port Management Umm Qasr $14,318,985 UNDP Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 UNESCO Textbook Printing & Distribution: Math & Science Countrywide $10,000,000 UNICEF Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $36,700,000 UNICEF Education Countrywide $19,600,000 University Partners • The Research Foundation of the State University of New York/Stony Brook and the Universities of Chicago, Boston and Oxford • The Human Rights Institute, DePaul University College of Law and Italy’s International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences • University of Hawaii, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, University of Jordan and the American University in Beirut • Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Benetech, US-Iraq Business Resources • University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Cameron University and Langston University Countrywide $20,730,000 VEGA Business Skills Training Countrywide $12,089,702 VFH Elections Support Countrywide $1,000,000 WHO Strengthen Health System Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Health Countrywide $1,273,894 World Bank Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 Yankee Group Telecoms Planning Countrywide $58,150 Emergency Relief USAID/DCHA/OFDA...................................................................................Subtotal: $180,657,106 ACTED Water and sanitation, health/hygiene, education Eastern Iraq $2,995,793 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $8,034,839 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 InterAction Coordination Kuwait City $92,860 IDA Health Countrywide $1,318,437 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 14 FINANCIAL SUMMARY July 7, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Capacity Building Countrywide $34,832,887 IOM IDP Assistance Countrywide $18,392,470 IRC IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,000,411 IRD IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Northern Iraq $17,076,190 Logistics Emergency Relief Commodities and USAID/DART Support Countrywide $22,771,653 Mercy Corps IDP Assistance, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities, Shelter, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $25,251,114 SCF/US Food Security, Health, IDP Assistance, Shelter, Nutrition, Emergency Relief Commodities, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $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 , Water and Sanitation Countrywide $6,793,739 USAID/DCHA/FFP.......................................................................................Subtotal: $425,571,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $45,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust—81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 48– Title II emergency food commodities—163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchase—330,000MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTI........................................................................................Subtotal: $382,283,322 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,325,866 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $354,500,376 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 Radio SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 NDI/IRI National Governance Countrywide $650,000 IFES National Governance Countrywide $1,042,315 ICNL Civil Society Countrywide $39,238 Spa War** Inter-Ministry Communications Countrywide $8,703,001 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ FROM 2003-2005............................................................$5,079,389,496 * Figures in funding sheet are subject to change and do not represent a final official accounting of USG obligations. ** For accounting purposes, funding for this activity has been obligated by OFDA under an existing interagency agreement. 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