USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 43, 25 August 2005

RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE August 25, 2005 Marshland Arabs bringing their boats in for repair to a repair shop that was revitalized by the local community and Contents: Economic Governance ......................................2 Agriculture.........................................................3 National Governance......................................... 4 Local Governance ............................................. 5 Community Action Program .............................. 6 Education .......................................................... 7 Transition Initiatives .......................................... 8 Disaster Assistance........................................... 9 Completed Activities.......................................... 10 Financial Summary ........................................... 11 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraq’s Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovernmental organizations and private sector partners. This report highlights USAID’s overall accomplishments and recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WWW.USAID.GOV ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE August 25, 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 5 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 works with Iraqi institutions to establish an environment for sustainable economic growth. Assistance empowers policy makers to formulate and exe- cute decisions based on economic data, and to implement modern best prac- tices in economic governance. USAID projects provide a framework for pri- vate sector trade, commerce, and investment throughout Iraq. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Twenty-six members of Iraqi economic journalist associations recently attended a USAID training on privatization. The journalists, representing one-third of the business reporters in the country, learned about the signifi- cance of privatization and explored its development and implementation in other countries. With a strengthened understanding of privatization, these journalists can bet- ter communicate their expectations and insights regarding privatization to business leaders and the public. As a result of the training, the journalists can identify which countries have successfully undergone privatization and better convey its long-term advantages, including business growth and long-term job creation. USAID also plans to help the economic journalist associations in- crease awareness about key private sector growth strategies such as strengthening trade, investment promotion, capital markets, business man- agement training, private bank lending, and microfinance programs. The Iraq Financial Management Information System (FMIS) is online, with 41 of the 54 units in the Ministry of Finance able to access the sys- tem. FMIS is an automated networked accounting and budget execution sys- tem, allowing online access and a real-time centralized database for all Iraqi spending agencies. Already, 35 agencies have used the system to enter pre- vious expense and revenue data, and have reconciled these with the Certified Trail Balances. Recommendations have already been developed for expand- ing the system to all remaining 128 spending agencies in the Ministry of Fi- nance by the end of the year. The Ministry of Finance Budget Committee, working with USAID repre- sentatives, has completed the first draft of the Expenditure Chart of Ac- counts for 2006. This is an essential step in budgetary reform, allowing the Ministry of Finance to accurately track and predict expenditures. Work has already begun on the Revenue Chart of Accounts in coordination with budget experts from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 AGRICULTURE August 25, 2005 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 April 2004, addresses the short- term recovery of agricultural infrastructure as well as me- dium- and long-term implemen- tation of policies to develop a market-based agricultural econ- omy. 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 USAID learned valuable les- sons from a corn breeding test program. The inbred maize pro- gram, begun last year in coopera- tion with U.S. universities, is the first step in establishing hybrid maize production in Iraq. Inbred lines are cultivated for specific characteristics, such as drought resistance, yet are relatively weak. When cross-pollinated, the resulting hybrid exhibits the de- sired characteristics. Iraqis harvested inbred corn last week and dis- covered that summer is the optimal planting time for cross-pollinated breeds. From these trials, ARDI staff dis- covered that spring planting for inbred maize in Iraq is not optimal because the plants flower in late June, when the very hot temperatures interfere with pollination. Summer planting is preferable, because the plants will flower in early October’s cooler temperatures and better pollination conditions. Fourteen Ministry of Agriculture officials began training this week on the installation and operation of hose-move sprinkler systems. The hands- on, practical training will prepare the officials from 10 governorates to set up demonstration areas and provide training to farmers in the operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems. This training is the first in a series that will train 48 Ministry officials to operate and maintain a variety of irrigation sys- tems. This irrigation equipment has actually been stored in warehouses in Iraq for several years, but the Ministry has lacked the practical knowledge to install and use it. Many farmers depend on irrigation, particularly those in the southern arid re- gions and those throughout the country who grow high-cash value crops like vegetables. These farmers will benefit from access to the highly efficient irri- gation systems. They’ll also increase the amount of land they are able to fully irrigate, agricultural production, and annual income. USAID has coupled regular agricultural checkups with training sessions in safe handling and disposal techniques of pesticides and herbicides to minimize the safety risks. Farmers received protective gear and modern pesticide application equipment, in addition to the proper types of chemicals to use on different pests and crops, appropriate measurements, and pesticide application procedures. USAID is also training pesticide dealers who are of- ten a farmer’s only source of information about chemical pest and weed con- trol. The program emphasizes correct storage and labeling methods, in addi- tion to other topics such as safe transport and use of pesticides, first aid, and minimizing the effect of pesticides and herbicides on the ecosystem. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 August 25, 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. NATIONAL GOVERNANCE In the post-election period, USAID will continue to plan and implement a vari- ety of programs, undertaken in partnership with Iraqi counterparts, matching the needs of the evolving Iraqi democracy. In particular, USAID is accelerat- ing support to the Iraq National Assembly and the Constitutional Drafting Committee. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Over the past few weeks, a USAID supported International Advisory Group of 40 constitutional and legal experts worked with members of the Constitu- tional Committee. Visiting experts continue to meet with the Committee to offer technical advice and produce papers, upon request, on federalism, reconstruction and economic development, and options regarding outstanding issues of dis- agreement. Other experts have offered on-line advice on the constitutional draft- ing process. The Constitutional Dialogue program launched in early July has reached 93,494 Iraqis through some 3,610 dialogues. The program will now transition to the Constitutional Education Program that will ensure Iraqis are aware of the content of the document and the meaning of key legal concepts and issues prior to the national referendum. The program will continue to offer technical training and financial support to the regional coordinating NGOs who supervise activities. NGOs and implementing partners have begun preparing training materials to help interpret and explain the draft constitution. Particular attention will be paid to Sunni areas where fewer Iraqis participated in the January 2005 elections. USAID representatives recently recruited 180 election monitors for the Voter Registration Observer Program which will monitor the Independent Elec- toral Commission of Iraq’s (IECI) new voter registration process until the end of August. Stationed at nearly 550 voter registration centers throughout Iraq, they will report daily on new registrations and voter correction activities in rotating locations. Monitors were selected based on the recommendations of the Constitutional Dialogue Program and on specific criteria, including non- partisanship and a university education with a preference for law degrees. To keep NGOs informed on the latest developments in the upcoming electoral cycle, implementing partners have also issued a civil society newsletter focusing on expected monitoring activities during the referendum and the subsequent elec- tions. The newsletter contains information on the voter registration process, in- cluding how to find voter registration centers and how to register. USAID hosted the “Women in the Constitution Conference” earlier this month which brought together 456 women from all 18 governorates to discuss the inclusion of women’s rights in the constitution. The conference provided repre- sentatives of civil society and political parties with focus group research highlight- ing what women from across Iraq want to see in their constitution. Discussions were arranged for attendees with the Iraqi National Assembly’s multi-party women’s caucus, and a member of the Constitutional Committee who agreed to communicate recommendations from the day’s discussions. Overall the confer- ence was a good opportunity for women leaders to find advocacy partners in their efforts to secure rights in the Iraqi Constitution. Three women’s organizations, supported by a USAID grant program, are educating Iraqis on issues related to women and the constitution. For the past six weeks, the organizations have developed an extensive series of newslet- ters, activities, and seminars. While additional workshops will continue through August, preliminary numbers show that the three groups have reached over 1,500 individuals from most of the Iraqi governorates.UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE 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. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) participated in a meeting with the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committee (PRDC) and elements of the Baghdad Provincial Council (PC). The PRDCs were organized to direct development projects specific to their particu- lar governorate and are staffed by local government representatives with a limited USAID advisor presence. Each PRDC has been provided with a budget of $10 million to develop a portfolio of development projects. During the meeting, the Baghdad PRDC, which was represented by the majority of its members including senior executives from Baghdad Governorate and the city of Baghdad, submitted its list of proposed projects. The committee’s efforts were acknowledged by the PC, USAID and Coalition Forces. LGP advisors are also advising and improving Baghdad local govern- ance by assisting the Baghdad PC and its committees to develop the pro- fessional administrative skills necessary for the efficient and transparent man- agement of the governorate. This will help the PC deliver essential services to its residents. • LGP offered guidance to the Economic and Financial Committee toward the development of an accounting system for the Baghdad Mayoralty. The system will be uniform in all the related departments and will link the other 11 municipalities across the city of Baghdad. LGP also provided guidance in developing financial records for fixed assets including all PC furniture, vehicles and other properties. • LGP is helping the Cleaning and Environment Committee establish com- munications with the municipal and local councils to solicit input and up- dates on the cleaning status in each neighborhood. Garbage collection remains a serious problem in Baghdad. LGP advisors attended a meeting of the Baghdad Service Commission to help the Committee develop an action plan to address the issues surrounding the shortage of drinking wa- ter. To this end, the PC sent an official letter to the Baghdad Water De- partment requesting a complete inventory and status of vehicles and drinking water tankers granted to the departments. • LGP continued to assist the Legal Committee in writing the PC bylaws. The PC voted and adopted almost all the items of the new and revised bylaws and will amend any of the adopted items as the need emerges. August 25, 2005 • 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 partici- pated. • 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 authorities to deliver core municipal services. The grants were used to restore services in agriculture, educa- tion, health, electricity, sanita- tion, 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. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 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 The Community Action Program (CAP) com- pleted a project that provided support to the marshland communi- ties north of Basrah through the revitaliza- tion of a boat repairing workshop which pro- duces small fishing boats for use in the marshlands canals. Marshland residents de- pend on fishing and agri- culture as their main sources of livelihoods. Such projects are ex- tremely important to sup- port the basic livelihoods and economies of these communities. August 25, 2005 • USAID has committed over $135 million to more than 3,300 pro- jects while Iraqi communities have committed more than 25 percent of total funding. CAP has estab- lished over 600 community action groups (CAGs) in 17 gover- norates. Five U.S. NGOs each concentrate on a region: north, Baghdad, southwest 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 651 projects with over $20 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. The NGO has completed 365 projects and has over $21 million in project commitments. • Income generation is an important emphasis in the Baghdad pro- gram where 543 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 $21 million. • In the southeast central region, 201 projects are complete with a total of $18.5 million in commit- ments. In the Shi’a 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 765 projects with total com- mitments of $23 million. Projects have focused on immediate com- munity needs such as sewage clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and girls’ access to education. Marshland Arabs bringing their boats in for repair to a repair shop that was revitalized by the local community and USAID’s Community Action Program. The Community Action Program (CAP) distributed school uniform kits to 1,025 students in a Baghdad primary school. Each kit contained trousers, a pair of running shoes, and a white school shirt. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 EDUCATION August 25, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE 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 With the assistance of USAID’s Economic Governance program, the Ba- sic Education program presented a capacity building training program for 59 Ministry of Education (MOE) finance managers, including the Direc- tors General of Finance from the MOE and the Kurdistan Regional Govern- ment’s MOE; the MOE’s Directors of Finance, Budget and Accounting; and Assistant Directors from the Central and Governorate MOEs. Lecture topics included public finance, team leadership and management, performance measures, strategic planning, fiscal management, centralization vs. decen- tralization of authority, Education Information Management, and transparency. The training used a case study approach to introduce the participants to mod- ern public finance concepts and exercises that represented real issues in fi- nancial management and administration. A key initiative of the Basic Educa- tion program is to improve MOE management and administrative processes. The Higher Education and Development (HEAD) program is planning a conference on environmental health to be held in mid-September. A total of 214 people have registered for the conference, including 176 Iraqis from universities and the private sector, and 38 participants from the Iraqi govern- ment and the international community. Seventy-nine abstracts have been submitted by officials, medical professionals and scientists covering a wide range of topics. The abstracts have been reviewed by the program scientific committee and the list of presenters has been finalized. A booklet designed to communicate the objectives of the upcoming conference is in the final phases of development. The conference is supported by the HEAD partnership be- tween the State University of New York at Stony Brook and several Iraqi uni- versities to build capacity for teaching and research in environmental health. The five Iraqi academics conducting research at the University of Hawaii (UH) have made substantial gains in their research. One academic has progressed rapidly in his research on plant pathology and disease. Another continues research on integrated pest management programs that minimize impact on the environment. A third is finalizing a proposal for research activi- ties in documenting species com- position and identifying native tree species. All of the academics re- cently attended a Watershed Hy- drology course for teachers— during which they learned how to measure forest species diversity, gauge stream flow rates and other skills critical to applied hydrology and watershed management—and a seminar detailing ecological res- toration and the establishment of pest-free sanctuaries. The UH HEAD partnership is strengthening agricultural research and educa- tion in Iraq. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 • 2,564 schools have been rehabili- tated, some of which 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. Over the next year, up to 100,000 additional teachers will receive in-service training. • Eighty-four primary and secon- dary schools (four in each gover- norate) are being established to serve as model schools. Teachers will receive six weeks of training, and schools will be equipped with computer and science laborato- ries. • More than 550 out-of-school youth completed a pilot acceler- ated learning program. An ex- panded program, targeting 10,000 out-of-school youth, will be imple- mented during the 2005–06 school year. • Satellite Internet access and com- puters were installed at the Minis- try of Education and in all 21 Di- rectorates of Education. To im- prove resource management, an Education Management Informa- tion System will be installed. • More than 8.7 million math and science textbooks have been edited, printed, and distributed throughout Iraq. • Partnerships were established between five American and 10 Iraqi universities. Through these partnerships, more than 1,500 Iraqi faculty and students have participated in workshops, train- ings, conferences, and courses in Iraq, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. • University facilities, such as librar- ies, computer and science labora- tories, lecture halls, and buildings, have been rehabilitated at col- leges of law, engineering, medi- cine, archeology, and agriculture. In addition, books and electronic resources have been provided to university libraries. Iraqi scientist testing pest management meth- ods at the University of Hawaii. August 25, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded 4,265 small grants totaling $297 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil society, conflict management and miti- gation, human rights and transi- tional justice. • Funded 134 grants totaling over $4.9 million that focus on women’s issues, including sup- porting the rehabilitation of 40 women’s centers in Iraq. Reha- bilitated over 264 Iraqi national ministries, schools, clinics and other municipal buildings. Sup- porting 65 Iraqi groups in docu- menting human rights abuses of the Ba’athist regime and pro- moting peace, tolerance, and reconciliation. • Met critical needs during and immediately after the conflict by providing short-term employ- ment, restoring basic govern- ment and community services, increasing Iraqi access to infor- mation and communication and encouraging protection of hu- man rights. TRANSITION INITIATIVES USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the transition to a par- ticipatory, stable, and democratic country. OTI provides quick-dispensing, high-impact grants meeting critical needs—providing short-term employment, restoring basic government and community services, increasing access to in- formation and communication, and encouraging protection of human rights. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK An intermediate school for girls in central Iraq rehabilitated its facilities through an Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) grant. The school, which serves an area of 7,000 residents, suffered the complete deterioration of its sanitation system, leaving the grounds covered with a marsh of backed-up sewage and posing a serious health risk to the students. The school also faced crumbling walls in many classrooms and an outdated electrical system. By renovating the facilities, ITI provided a safe and healthy learning environment while pro- viding employment opportunities for local laborers and demonstrating suc- cessful cooperation between the local government, community leaders, and development partners to improve local living conditions. A health clinic in central Iraq renovated its facilities through an ITI grant. During the former regime, the clinic lacked the basic resources to provide suf- ficient medical care to the local population and fell into disrepair. ITI partnered with the U.S. military, government officials, and community representatives to rehabilitate the facility, enabling the health clinic to provide essential medical services to the community, providing opportunities for local laborers, and en- hancing trust in public institutions to improve community services. A city council in northern Iraq renovated a local radio station through ITI support. The city previously lacked any locally produced mass- communication infrastructure, preventing the adequate broadcast of informa- tion, including details on polling locations and procedures during the January 30 elections. The city council, in partnership with the U.S. military, identified the establishment of local media as a priority and chose a building site. In providing labor, supplies, and equipment for the renovation of the nascent ra- dio facility, ITI enabled the development of a local media outlet, an important part of the democratization process and an effective tool for disseminating public information and managing public safety. The initial broadcast range of this radio station is a 40 km radius, reaching 100,000 residents. Supported by ITI, a local Iraqi NGO implemented an exchange program for civil society leaders. By providing travel, lodging, translation, and the basic supplies necessary for the program’s implementation, ITI helped foster the development of a network of civil society activists across ethnic, religious, and geographic lines working on human rights issues. Over the course of 10 days, the program brought together 200 NGO leaders from 15 organizations based in northern Iraq to share ideas and to engage in capacity-building work- shops. The participants also traveled to other cities throughout northern Iraq for a series of site visits with organizations operating in the field. The Department of Education, with support from the ITI, provided furni- ture and small generators to a series of schools in a central Iraqi city. By re-equipping these three primary schools, two intermediate schools, and two secondary schools, ITI helped reestablish a functioning educational sys- tem in a city where many of the residents were displaced due to intense fight- ing between coalition forces and the insurgency. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 August 25, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Rehabilitated 105 water treat- ment units and 396 kilometers of water networks to ensure the provision of potable water in critical areas. • Rehabilitated 72 health facilities and re-equipped 238 to improve the quality of health care. • Vaccinated over 3,000 women and children against measles. • Registered internally displaced persons and provided them with water, blankets, medical kits, and hygiene kits. • Rehabilitated a water treatment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The rehab is benefiting 1 million residents. DISASTER ASSISTANCE In the first year of programming, USAID’s humanitarian assistance focused on emergency interventions to prevent food and water shortages and provide adequate shelter and medical supplies throughout Iraq. USAID is now direct- ing humanitarian assistance efforts through the Office of Foreign Disaster As- sistance (OFDA) to specifically target Iraq’s internally displaced people (IDP), primarily in northern Iraq, but also in two southern governorates. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is implementing a project in Fallujah to assist the residents of the Al Jubail neighborhood. Despite the continued U.S. military presence and sporadic insurgent activities, more than 90 percent of those displaced from Fallujah as a result of the con- flict in November 2004 have returned. Though clean-up and rebuilding is un- derway, there are still areas like Al Jubail that are a landscape of ripped up streets winding through rubble and skeleton-like buildings, many of them oc- cupied by those who lost their homes and possessions. As of August 15, OFDA has distributed 520 tents, 1,040 blankets and mattresses and 520 kero- sene lamps and water tanks in the Al Jubail neighborhood. The installation of latrines is on-going. A monitoring and evaluation team will visit Al Jubail in late August to evaluate the performance of OFDA’s contractor and the impact of the intervention. In coordination with an Iraqi NGO, OFDA is implementing a project to support 1,000 farming families in 29 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) returnee villages around Kirkuk. Through this project, 750 hectares of land has been prepared for summer vegetable planting. The project also includes the provision of seeds, spare parts for tractors, extension services and advice to the farmers. With the support of an Iraqi NGO and OFDA, 300 children from various neighborhoods in Kirkuk city participated in a one month series of ac- tivities to explore the issues of diversity, participation and communica- tion through activities such as games, drawing and writing stories. The materials produced through the activities will be printed in a magazine to be distributed inside Kirkuk. It is planned that 4,000 copies of this magazine will be distributed to benefit about 25,000 people, with the possibility that the cop- ies may eventually be circulated among a larger number of children. OFDA representatives recently completed a 16 week public health cam- paign targeting more than 100 villages populated by 2003 conflict IDP returnees in Arbil Governorate. The campaign covered a range of environ- mental health topics, including safe water practices and disease prevention. Iraqi healthcare workers trained individuals from the targeted communities to present health education topics from OFDA health education curriculum and provided information leaflets for distribution. On average community health educators reached about 10,200 beneficiaries each week. According to the Health Program Officer in charge of the program, the public health campaign has already brought about noticeable changes in the targeted villages he regularly visits. The villagers have identified locations for food disposal and no longer merely dump water and waste next to the home. Toilets are now prop- erly cleaned. Kitchens are open allowing in sun and ventilation. People are boiling water and women are regularly cleaning areas where food is prepared. Fences have been put up around animals to keep children from playing with them and to keep them away from sanitation facilities. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 COMPLETED ACTIVITIES Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed its planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport, re- stored significant portions of Iraq’s telecommunications network, rebuilt three major bridges and restored the rail line connecting Umm Qasr with Basra city and points north. USAID also helped avert a humanitarian cri- sis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nations World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with management and distribution of food rations to Iraqi citizens. SEAPORTS • The $45 million program to rehabilitate and improve management at Umm Qasr seaport was completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17, 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16, 2003. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-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 percent of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed and fully integrated 13 new switches with 14 existing switches. • Worked with the Ministry of Communications to reactivate more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdad’s largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained telecom engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway system and the new switches. BRIDGES AND ROADS • Rebuilt three major bridges—Khazir, Tikrit and Al Mat bridges—critical to moving people and commercial products throughout the country. • Rebuilt a substantial portion of the Iraqi Republican Railway line connecting Basrah with the port of Umm Qasr includ- ing physical track construction, installing culverts, and repairing gatehouses. The remainder of the work has been handed over to the Ministry of Transportation (MOT). This work allows shipments of bulk cargo from the port to Bagh- dad and throughout the country. FOOD SECURITY • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distribution Sys- tem (PDS) in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. • With Iraqi food distributors, Food for Peace, the WFP, and Coalition Forces maintained deliveries from June through December 2003 in all 18 governorates. • Played a key role in an agreement between the WFP, CPA, and the MoT that provided the WFP with the resources and authority to continue to support the PDS through June 2004. • In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distribution System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. August 25, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY August 25, 2005 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE ................................................................................. Subtotal: 4,001,003,243 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 America's Develop- ment Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 Army Corps of Eng. Architecture and Engineering Services Countrywide $38,086,393 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Bechtel Airports, buildings, power, railroads, roads, bridges, port, water and sanitation Countrywide $1,029,833,259 Bechtel Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanita- tion, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,319,911,678 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 CEPPS Transitional Government Countrywide $35,700,000 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 Logenix Health North/Central $108,506 Louis Berger Vocational Education Countrywide $75,016,115 Louis Berger Private Sector Development II Countrywide $95,000,000 MACRO Int’l. Health Countrywide $2,000,000 Partnership for Child Healthcare Health Countrywide $2,000,000 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY August 25, 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 $22,000,000 SkyLink Airport Management Bag., Bas., Mos. $27,200,000 SSA Port Management Umm Qasr $14,318,985 UNDP Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 UNESCO Textbook Printing & Distribution: Math & Science Countrywide $10,000,000 UNICEF Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $36,700,000 UNICEF Education Countrywide $19,600,000 University Partners • The Research Foundation of the State University of New York/Stony Brook and the Universities of Chicago, Boston and Oxford • The Human Rights Institute, DePaul University College of Law and Italy’s International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences • University of Hawaii, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, University of Jordan and the American University in Beirut • Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Benetech, US-Iraq Business Resources • University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Cameron University and Langston University Countrywide $20,730,000 VEGA Business Skills Training Countrywide $12,089,702 VFH Elections Support Countrywide $1,000,000 WHO Strengthen Health System Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Health Countrywide $4,808,858 World Bank Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 Yankee Group Telecoms Planning Countrywide $58,150 Emergency Relief USAID/DCHA/OFDA...................................................................................Subtotal: $181,363,975 ACTED Water and sanitation, health/hygiene, education Eastern Iraq $2,995,793 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $8,060,839 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 ● 12 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY August 25, 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 $8,638,652 UNICEF Health, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $4,000,000 OCHA Coordination and Information Countrywide $1,200,000 USAID/Jordan Support for Emergency Water Activities Countrywide $500,000 WFP Food Security, Logistics Countrywide $5,000,000 World Vision Health, Logistics, Emergency Relief , Water and Sanitation Countrywide $6,793,739 USAID/DCHA/FFP.......................................................................................Subtotal: $425,571,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $45,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust—81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 48– Title II emergency food commodities—163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchase—330,000MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTI........................................................................................Subtotal: $382,709,103 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,751,647 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $354,500,376 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 Radio SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 NDI/IRI National Governance Countrywide $650,000 IFES National Governance Countrywide $1,042,315 ICNL Civil Society Countrywide $39,238 Spa War** Inter-Ministry Communications Countrywide $8,703,001 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ FROM 2003-2005 ................................... $4,990,647,321 * Figures in funding sheet are subject to change and do not represent a final official accounting of USG obligations. ** For accounting purposes, funding for this activity has been obligated by OFDA under an existing interagency agreement. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 13