USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 10, 5 January 2005

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE January 5, 2005 Above: A power plant turbine rotor in line to be rebuilt. Contents: ElectricityÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...Ö.Ö...2 Water and SanitationÖÖÖÖ...ÖÖ...ÖÖ.Ö3 Economic GovernanceÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ....Ö....4 AgricultureÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..ÖÖ5 EducationÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...6 Democracy and GovernanceÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ....7 Elections Update................................................8 Community Action ProgramÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..9 Humanitarian AssistanceÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.10 Completed ActivitiesÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.11 Financial SummaryÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ...12 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraqís Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovernmental organizations and private sector partners. This report highlights USAIDís overall accomplishments and recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WWW.USAID.GOV ELECTRICITY JANUARY 5, 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. By October, 2003, reha- bilitated electric power capacity to produce peak capacity greater than the pre-war level of 4,400 MW. Hit 5,365 MW on August 18, 2004. • Since achieving record power production in Summer ë04, the Ministry of Electricityówith as- sistance from USAIDóhas be- gun the standard Fall mainte- nance process which will neces- sarily reduce the amount of power available for consump- tion. USAID worked with the MOE to conduct last Fallís maintenance program. • Repairing thermal units, replac- ing turbines, rehabilitating the power distribution network, and installing and restoring genera- tors. • USAID has added 535 MW of capacity through maintenance and rehabilitation work, and also repaired a 400 KV transmission line. • USAID and the Ministry of Elec- tricity are working with partners to add a total of more than 1,281 MW to the national grid by December 2005 through maintenance, rehabilitation, and new generation projects. • USAID completed a project to convert two units that produce 80 MW each to operate on crude/heavy fuel oil instead of diesel which is in short supply. • Most recently, USAID has initi- ated a project to rehabilitate 13 existing substations and con- struct 24 new substations in Baghdad. These 37 substations will improve the distribution and reliability of electricity for more than two million Baghdad resi- dents. USAIDís goals include the emergency repair or rehabilitation of power genera- tion facilities and electrical grids. Teams of engineers from the Ministry of Electricity, USAID and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working since May of 2003 to restore the capacity to Iraqís power system. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Work is 82 percent complete at a power generation facility north of Baghdad. This project will increase electrical generation capacity by 325 megawatts through the addition of two combustion turbines to the existing substation site. The first unit started generating electricity on January 3, 2005, and the overall project is scheduled to be complete by June 2005. • At one unit, gas lines have been purged and the generator heat ex- changer pipes were prepared for painting. Gear box and generator bearing oil pipes were welded and instrumentation was installed. Fire alarm panels, emergency lights, smoke detectors, heat detectors, and gas detectors were all wired. At a second unit, work continues to pro- gress. The exhaust stack and air intake system are being assembled. Transformers were wired and the oil/water separator system was piped and wired. USAID is expanding a thermal power plant in southern Baghdad with a 132 kV connection to the national grid. This project will add 216 MW of generation capacity. Recently, manpower at the site increased to 537 Iraqi employees, with another projected increase over the coming weeks to 600 employees. The project is now 30 percent finished, and is scheduled for com- pletion by late spring of 2005. USAIDís project to increase generation at a major power plant in Babil Governorate is now 40 precent complete. USAID is providing technical and management assistance to Ministry of Electricity plant managers respon- sible for implementing the rehabilitation. This is a different model from pro- jects where USAID contractors perform the majority of maintenance work, and it has proved to be a successful one. The plant was built in the early 1980s and was generating about 435 MW a day when USAID began rehabilitation work in spring 2004. To date, USAIDís rehabilitation efforts at the power plant have increased net capacity by 355 MW. At project completion in May 2005, the total capacity increase will be 500 MW. Work is 79 percent complete in the restoration of heat ex- changers at four generating stations in southern Iraq. Replacement or refurbishment of the heat exchangers will assist in allowing these stations to regain their full nameplate generating capability. One plantís restoration is now complete, and the entire project will be finished by May 15, 2005, adding 20 MW of gen- erating capacity to the Iraqi grid. A power plant turbine rotor in line to be rebuilt. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 WATER AND SANITATION JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Nationwide: Repaired various sewage lift stations and water treatment units. • Baghdad: Expanding one water treatment plant and constructing another to increase capacity by approximately 70 million gallons per day; rehabilitating sewage treatment plants. − A major wastewater treatment plant in Baghdad began operat- ing in June of 2004; this is the first major sewage plant in the country to operate in over 12 years. − The sewage treatment system in Baghdad, barely functioning for years before the conflict, will be restored to almost 100- percent capacity, serving 80 percent of Baghdadís popula- tion. − Standby generators are being installed at 41 Baghdad water facilities. • South: Rehabilitating parts of the Sweet Water Canal system, in- cluding repairing breaches, clean- ing the main reservoir, and refur- bishing 14 water treatment plants around Basrah serving 1.75 mil- lion people. • South Central: Rehabilitating two water plants and four sewage plants. − Completed the rehabilitation of a sewage plant in Babil Gover- norate. − Sewage plants in An Najaf, Al Qadisiyah, Karbala, and Babil Governorates will serve 440,000 upon completion. − Water treatment in Najaf and Babil will serve residents and visitors at Iraqís holiest shrines. • North: Rehabilitating two water plants and one sewage plant near Mosul and Kirkuk. USAIDís goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially those in the south where water quantity and quality are particularly low. An anticipated 11.8 million Iraqis will benefit from USAIDís $600 million in water and sanitation projects. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK The Mosul water and sewer project is 96 percent complete. This activity includes the provision of an independent power supply to allow 24-hour avail- ability of water, and the restoration of water towers, the city storm drain and the sewer system. Personnel have been trained in maintenance and opera- tions, and nearly all centrifugal pumps have been installed. • Inadequate water supply has been one of the primary quality of life issues in Mosul, with most households receiving only a few hours of water per day. Since the city lacks a fully integrated sewer system, seasonal flood- ing is also a major problem, as many homes are inundated during the winter months when rainfall is high. The Mosul water and sewer project will greatly contribute to resolving these problems. A new water treatment plant will increase the potable water supply in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. Improving employment and infrastruc- ture in this area is critical both for economic development and improving se- curity. The new plant will include a potable water treatment system with a ca- pacity of 3,000 m3/hour, a potable water storage facility, and a pumping sta- tion to move treated water from storage to the existing distribution system. The plant will be designed to accommodate a future expansion to 6,000 m3/ hour. The plant is now eight percent finished and is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2006. The renovation and expansion of a water treatment plant in Baghdad is 86 percent complete. The project will add 50 million gallons per day (MGD) to the current 120 MGD nameplate capacity at the plant.Current activity at the site involves improving the backwash system and pump house where pipes are being connected. The existing raw water inlet pumps are being repaired and replaced, and additional pumps are being constructed. This project in- cludes training for plant personnel in the operation and maintenance of the expanded facility, and work is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2005. Expanding a water treatment plant in Baghdad. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Worked with the Ministry of Fi- nance to introduce the new Iraqi dinar. • Created more than 77,000 pub- lic works jobs through the Na- tional Employment Program. • Provided technical assistance on accounting, budgeting and lending activities at Iraqís com- mercial banks. • Improved statistical analysis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision procedures at Iraqís Central Bank. • Provided technical assistance for CPAís $21 million micro- credit program. • Provided technical assistance for the Oil for Food transition to prepare Iraqi ministries to as- sume responsibility for OFF contracts. • Evaluated and updated com- mercial laws on private sector and foreign investment. • Assisted in developing the re- construction levy in collabora- tion with the CPA and the UK Customs Service; this levy im- poses a five percent tariff on imports to Iraq. • Developed a government-wide IT strategy to support the auto- mation of planning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • Provided technical assistance as well as information on con- tracting opportunities for Iraqi businesses through business centers. • Provided technical support for the re-opening of the Iraq Stock Exchange after it was closed down for more than 15 months; 3.6 billion Iraqi dinars ($2.4 mil- lion USD) in shares were traded in the first day. USAID supports sustainable economic reforms in Iraq including examining and reforming laws, regulations, and institutions and providing a frame- work for private sector trade, commerce, and investment. The reforms will strengthen the Central Bank and the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Com- merce and Industryóamong others. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Under USAIDís Iraq Economic Governance II (IEGII) program, advi- sors are continuing to work with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to im- prove its ability to conduct sound monetary policy and build the technical capacity of its staff. Recent activities have included: • Inter-bank Payments IEG II advisors are outlining the next steps in the process of automating payment of water and sewer bills for approxi- mately 550,000 households and 100,000 business accounts, and auto- mating rental payments for 17,438 households. • Bank Supervision IEG II advisors delivered a set of recommendations to the CBI on assessing risks and designing enforcement actions for Iraqi lending institutions. A set of definitions was developed for asset categories and risk weighting; these definitions will be used to create regulations for the Banking Law. • Macroeconomic Policy IEG II advisors made recommendations to the CBI on complying with International Monetary Fund (IMF) standards for reporting currency reserves. • Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT) IEG II and COSIT developed plans to set up a new IT system to track key macroeconomic indicators. USAIDís Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance is designed to promote the expansion of a competitive and efficient private sector in post-war Iraq through the delivery of training, technical assis- tance, consulting, and business entrepreneurship services. Recent activities have included: Basrah Business Center VEGA advisors undertook a five-day mission to Basrah to begin cooperating with an area business center. VEGAís plans call for collaborating with business centers around Iraq to provide training and business incubation services. Womenís Entrepreneur Workshop and New Association. At a conference on womenís entrepreneurship held at a business center in Arbil, 65 Iraqi women participants agreed to establish a business womenís association, the first of its kind in the country. Handicapped Training Workshop Seventeen people with disabilities par- ticipated in a workshop on designing business plans, with support from VEGA and an Iraqi NGO. The three-day workshop gave participants in- formation on starting new businesses, including creating business plans and marketing strategies. . UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 AGRICULTURE JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Summer and Winter Crop Technology Demonstra- tions: These demonstra- tions are introducing farm- ers to new technologies and techniques through extension field days. • Animal Health: Several veterinary clinics in Kirkuk, Fallujah, and other cities are being renovated and a grant has been made for dipping tanks to improve sheep health and wool. • Technology Support: The Ministry of Agriculture and a major universityís schools of Agriculture and Veteri- nary Science have been awarded grants to furnish and equip computer cen- ters, improving research capabilities and consulting capacity. • Date Palm Propagation: In collaboration with the Minis- try of Agriculture, 40,000 elite date palm offshoots are being used to establish mother orchards in 13 gov- ernorates as part of a multi- plication program and the establishment of a national register of elite varieties. • Agriculture Sector Transi- tion Plan: This plan, com- pleted in mid-April, ad- dresses the short-term re- covery of agricultural infra- structure as well as me- dium and long-term imple- mentation of policies to develop a market-based agricultural economy. USAIDís goals are to work in conjunction with Iraqi ministries, the private sector, and higher education institutions to revitalize agricultural production, stimulate income and employment generation, nurture rural initiatives, and rehabilitate the natural resource base. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAIDís Agriculture Reconstruction and Development Program for Iraq (ARDI) helped organize a recent conference of 175 beekeepers to estab- lish the Dahuk Beekeeping Association. The Association will help the bee- keepers increase production of honey and other products through education, training and the application of new beekeeping technologies. In early December the ARDI Winter Crop Technology Demonstration Pro- gram launched 24 new demonstration sites in the three northern gover- norates of As Sulaymaniyah, Arbil, and Dahuk. Targeted crops for these demonstrations are bread wheat, durum wheat, and barley. These 24 demon- stration sites are among the 160 demonstrations nationwide in the Winter Crop Technology Demonstration Program. It is expected that up to 16,000 farmers will attend field days organized throughout the growing season at the 160 dem- onstration sites. ARDI is continuing to rehabilitate veterinary clinics across the country. A grant was recently approved to equip an Arbil veterinary clinic that was rehabili- tated with USAID support in November 2004. To date, ARDI has rehabilitated thirteen veterinary clinics, and grants to an additional ten clinics are being final- ized. Two ARDI grants were approved to provide equipment to the Ministry of Agriculture for the creation agro-ecological zone maps. The Program will prepare crop suitability maps for 20 major crops including wheat, barley, triti- cale, rice, corn, sorghum, chickpea, lentil, mung bean, broad bean, clover, cot- ton, sunflower, rape, soybean, sugar cane, sugar beet, tomato, potato and on- ions. ARDI signed a grant agreement with the Kurdistan Agricultural and Devel- opment Reconstruction Organization (KARDO) to carryout stone removal activities to increase the land available for farming by more than 300 acres in Ninawa Governorate. Expanding land available will encourage farming families to remain in their villages and contribute to economic growth. To gener- ate employment in the area, KARDO hired 220 villagers to clear the fields (186 men and 34 women). UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 EDUCATION JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Facilities − Awarded 627 grants worth more than $6 million to rehabilitate schools and equip Directorates General. − Rehabilitated 2,405 schools country- wide. • Supplies − Distributed desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and kits for primary and secondary schools countrywide. − Printed and distributed 8.7 million revised math and science textbooks to grades 1-12 by mid-February 2004. • Institutional Strengthening − Printed and distributed 8.7 million revised math and science textbooks to grades 1-12 by mid-February 2004. − Completed a major initiative that trained nearly 33,000 secondary school teachers and administrators, including 860 master trainers, nation- wide. − Conducted a pilot accelerated learn- ing program in five Iraqi cities to allow out-of-school children to complete two school years in one year. More than 550 students participated. − Assisted the Ministry in establishing official baseline education data for Iraq. • Higher Education − Awarded five grants worth $20.7 mil- lion to create partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi universities. Through these partnerships, Iraqi universities are rebuilding infrastructure; re- equipping university facilities; partici- pating in international conferences; attending workshops and refresher courses; and reforming curriculum. USAIDís goals are to increase enrollment, improve the quality of pri- mary and secondary education, ensure classrooms have sufficient sup- plies, facilitate community involvement, train teachers, implement ac- celerated learning programs, and establish partnership between U.S. and Iraqi colleges and universities. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAIDís Higher Education and Development (HEAD) program is con- tinuing to help Iraqís higher education institutions attain standards of excellence and integrate with the international academic community. In partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Re- search, USAID is supporting five university partnerships with U.S.-led consortia, each with a unique focus. One of the five partnerships is a cooperative effort between five Iraqi Universities and the State University of New York (SUNY/Stony Brook). The consortium is working to improve faculty training, curriculum and facilities for the study of Archaeology, Assyriology and Environmental Health. Recent activities of this partnership have included: • Plans for 35 participants to attend an upcoming training session for environmental health specialists in Amman, Jordan have been es- tablished. Applications are currently being reviewed, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. • The first shipment of environmental books to Iraq has been com- pleted. Nearly 300 medical and scientific environmental books will be distributed to each of three universities. • Laboratory rehabilitation work has been completed at three Iraqi universities. The facilities are now ready to be furnished and equipped. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Established regional offices in Al Basrah, Al Hillah, Bagh- dad, and Mosul and opera- tions in all governorates. • Awarded $15.5 million in rapid-response grants in the first program year to strengthen the capacity of municipal authorities to de- liver core municipal services. The grants were used to restore services in agricul- ture, education, health, elec- tricity, sanitation, and water. • Facilitated the establishment or refreshment of 16 gover- norate councils, 90 district councils, 194 city or sub- district councils, and 445 neighborhood councils. • Organized and carried out numerous selection proc- esses for governors and mayors, as well as local council members, through- out Iraq. • Committed more than $2.4 million for the nationwide Civic Education Campaign, which educated Iraqis on democracy and Iraqís politi- cal situation. More than 28,500 democracy dialogues have been conducted to date. • Supported preparation of 2004 city council budgets in Baghdad, Mosul, Al Hillah, Babil, and An Najaf. • Supporting a series of Na- tional Agenda Dialogue Con- ferences, which engage stakeholders such as aca- demics, journalists, women, tribal leaders, and local gov- ernment officials in discus- sions on their roles in Iraqís emerging democracy. USAIDís goals in the Democracy and Governance sector include promoting representative citizen participation in governance at the national and subna- tional level; supporting the administration of transparent and credible electoral processes; strengthening the management skills of national, city, and provin- cial administrations and civic institutions; promoting advocacy and participation of civil society organizations; enhancing leadership skills; and serving as a re- cruiting tool for future leaders. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A USAID partner NGO supported a three-day conference for 22 of the 25 women members of the Interim National Council. The conference focused on the issues that women face as members of the INC and the future Transi- tional National Assembly. The experienced team of women trainers (including international political activists and Members of Parliament from Europe, Central America and North Africa) led a variety of sessions covering topics such as leg- islative procedures, networking, and media outreach. Fifty-one members of the Interim National Council and senior political party representatives participated in a conference on federalism in Bagh- dad. The conference was organized by a USAID partner NGO and focused on examining various models of federalism and critical issues such as the control over state-owned resources (such as oil) and the protection of minority rights. In writing Iraqís constitution, the Transitional National Assembly will have to consider whether to adopt a federal system, and if so, in what form. Local Governance Program (LGP) specialists supervised the rehabilita- tion of three water discharge regulators in Al Qadisiyah governorate. The discharge regulators will irrigate a total of 75,000 acres, benefiting more than 30,000 farmers and 5,000 families in local villages relying on the water system. The Amanat (city hall) in Baghdad is conducting a comprehensive review of its use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). LGP specialists helped assess the Amanatís GIS needs related to city planning, cost control, and fee collection. Thirteen members of the Interim National Council and six members of the Councilís staff completed a one-day media training organized by a USAID partner NGO. Each participant developed and presented a 30-second media statement, which was then collectively reviewed to identify strengths and weak- nesses. Participants also practiced ëbridging techniquesí in a mock press con- ference, learning how to stay on message even when faced with difficult ques- tions. The Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Ministry of Municipali- ties and Public Works in Arbil Governorate have completed the second of four stages in their strategic audits. The Audit Committees in each ministry receive technical assistance from LGP. The first stage of the audits involved questionnaires for local government directors. In the second stage, general staff at both ministries completed assessment forms which focused on perform- ance, training needs, cooperation with other ministries, and the general work plan. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 ELECTIONS UPDATE JANUARY 5, 2005 OUT-OF-COUNTRY VOTING REGULATIONS Why is out-of-country voting im- portant to Iraq? After more than two decades of Baíath Party oppression, conflict, and sanctions, several million Iraqis currently live outside Iraq. Their participation in the Jan 30 elections is wanted by the vast majority of resi- dent Iraqis, and is therefore an es- sential part of making the elections credible to the Iraqi people. Who will be eligible to vote outside of Iraq? The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), in negotia- tion with the host countries, will deter- mine the exact countries outside of Iraq where eligible voters will be able to register and vote. Currently 14 countries have agreed to implement out-of-country voting. Voters outside the country must be an Iraqi citizen born before December 31, 1986 and registered according to the proce- dures issued by the IECI. In which elections will out of coun- try voters be able to participate? Out-of-country voters will be eligible to vote for the National Assembly but not the governorate councils or the Kurdistan national assembly. Who will manage the out-of- country voting? The out-of-country voting will be managed by the Inter- national Organization for Migration (IOM), headquartered in Amman, Jordan. Country offices will be estab- lished in each host country and sub- offices may be established in coun- tries with large Iraqi populations. How will polling be conducted? The voter register will be displayed at the registration center in each country during a two-day period immediately after the voter registration period, and voters may check to confirm that they are correctly registered. The IECI will determine both the procedures and the timeline allowed for voting. Fol- lowing the closure of polling, the bal- lots will be returned to a central loca- tion where they will be counted. The results will be amalgamated with those from inside Iraq in order to de- termine the seat allocations for the National Assembly. Consistent with USAIDís policy with regard to supporting elections, USAID activities in Iraq make a good faith effort to assist all political or- ganizations with equitable levels of assistance, do not seek to determine election outcomes, and support representative multiparty systems. USAID has awarded a cooperative agreement to the Consortium for Election and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS) which includes three US NGOs. This agreement has a $50 million ceiling, of which $23 million has been obligated to date. Within this electoral processes grant USAID seeks to achieve the following: • Educate voters and promote participation in the electoral process; • Build the capacity of Iraqi election monitoring organizations; and • Support efforts to monitor and mitigate electoral conflict. USAID also awarded a $40 million cooperative agreement to an NGO to support the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq's (IECI) admini- stration of the transitional election cycle, which includes the January 2005 elections, the October 2005 Constitutional Referendum, and the December 2005 National Assembly Elections. This program is being im- plemented at the request of the IECI and in direct coordination with UN activities. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A final training session was held for members of the Coalition of Non-partisan Elections Monitors (CINEM) from northern Iraq. Forty- one representatives from 24 NGOs attended the three-day train-the- trainer sessions. One hundred trained election monitors will now recruit and train an average of 100 additional domestic monitors each. Thirty Iraqi journalists from print and broadcast media attended a three-day seminar on ìThe Media and Electionsî in Al Basrah gov- ernorate. USAIDís Local Governance Program (LGP) staff organized the event to increase awareness about procedures and media strategies for the January 30th elections. Sixteen women activists participated an all-day training session organized by an Iraqi human rights NGO in coordination with a USAID partner NGO. Sessions provided detailed information on the elections procedures and the roles of candidates, parties, voters, and the IECI, as well as an overview of democratic processes abroad. The training also included leadership role-playing in formal and informal set- tings and dialogue on how women can work as leaders in the voter edu- cation process. Five USAID-partner international NGOs focusing on democracy, capacity-building, and election-related programs in Iraq met re- cently to share information on programs, political insights and se- curity issues. The three NGO members of the Consortium for Election and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS) and USAID have also decided to meet regularly to discuss the coordination of initiatives sup- porting the development of Iraqi civil society. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • USAID has committed over $104 million to 2,183 projects while Iraqi communities have committed more than 25% of total funding. CAP has established over 670 community associations in 17 gover- norates. Five U.S. NGOs each concen- trate 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 271 projects with over $11 million in total pro- ject commitments including establishing a youth center in Hawija, improving the Tikrit water supply, and developing in- come generation projects in the north. − In the southwest central region, the part- ner NGO has established a strong pres- ence in the Shiíi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, as well as Hillah through active community associations. A strong empha- sis on critical infrastructure needs has provided these communities with sewage and water services, improved schools, and repaired vital social infrastructure. They have completed 219 projects and have over $13.5 million in project commit- ments. − Income generation is an important em- phasis in the Baghdad program where 289 projects have been completed through community action groups. A mar- ketplace for over 700 vendors is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste dumps and educating medical personnel on proper disposal methods. Total project commitments are $16.2 million. − In the southeast central region, 125 pro- jects are complete with a total of $13.7 million in commitments. In the Shiíi heart- land, these projects address needs result- ing from decades of government neglect and focus on water, sewerage, commu- nity clean-up, and school rehabilitation. − The southern program has completed 378 projects through 138 community ac- tion groups which average 40% womenís participation. Projects have focused pri- marily on immediate community needs such as sewage clean up, water treat- ment and distribution, public health, and girlsí access to education. Total project commitments are $15.9 million. The Community Action Program (CAP) works in rural and urban communities across Iraq to promote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through partner NGOs and in con- sultation with local government representatives, USAID is creating representative, participatory community groups to identify critical pri- orities and implement programs to address those needs. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A rehabilitated youth center in a northern Iraqi community will provide a positive place for area youths to gather. CAP identified at-risk youths in the ethnically mixed town on the border between Arbil and Ninawa Governorates. CAP worked in collaboration with USAIDís Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) to address the needs of these youths and provided them with a safe place to gather and en- gage in constructive activities. OTI rehabilitated the large central youth center and equipped it with sports, art, music, and computer equipment. About 1,300 community youth are directly benefiting from this program. The CAP contribution to this activity was $37,697 and the local contribution was $25,710. In As Sulaymaniyah governorate, a transportation garage is nearly complete at a major highway transportation hub. The new transportation pick-up zone and garage features a cafeteria, restaurant and small office and will benefit 3,450 Iraqis directly and 4,000 Iraqis indirectly. In An Najaf governorate, a community action group is con- structing two pedestrian bridges over heavily traveled roads. At a cost of $120,000 these projects will benefit the 63,000 residents. CAP agriculture teams in northern Iraq are working with com- munity action groups to strengthen local agriculture coopera- tives. In Salad ad Din Governorate, a market center is being devel- oped to sell farming products from the 20 USAID-sponsored coop- eratives around north central Iraq. A poultry cooperative was also re-established in Atí Tamim governorate. Twenty families recently resettled to a village in Wasit Gover- norate that restored its basic services over the past year. The community, with CAP assistance, constructed a school, paved a seven-kilometer road linking the village to the district capital, and set up a compact unit for purifying water. Twenty additional families are expected to return in the coming months. CAP is supporting a series of contests and distributing art sup- plies to 32 intermediate schools in Wasit Governorate. The stu- dents showed great interest in the sponsored activities, and the Di- rectorate of Education and local teachers expressed their apprecia- tion. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE JANUARY 5, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Rehabilitated 105 water treat- ment units and 396 kilometers of water networks to ensure the provision of potable water in critical areas. • Rehabilitated 72 health facili- ties and re-equipped 238 to improve the quality of health care. • Vaccinated over 3,000 women and children against measles. • Registered internally displaced persons and provided them with water, blankets, medical kits, and hygiene kits. • Rehabilitated a water treat- ment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The rehab is bene- fiting 1 million residents. In the first year of programming, USAIDís humanitarian assistance fo- cused on emergency interventions to prevent food and water shortages and provide adequate shelter and medical supplies throughout Iraq. USAID is now directing humanitarian assistance efforts through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to specifically target Iraqís inter- nally displaced people (IDP), primarily in northern Iraq, but also in two southern governorates. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK OFDA is supporting the provision of needed winter items such as blankets, kerosene heaters, plastic sheeting and clothing to dis- placed persons and other vulnerable populations in Ninawa, Salah Ad Din, Diyala and Atí Tamim Governorates. • Ninawa Governorate: More than 3,400 families have received winter items. Distributions began December 23 and will be completed by mid-January. • Salah Ad Din Governorate: 1,000 families have received winter pack- ages. The distribution began on December 7 and distributions will con- tinue through January benefiting more than 3,300 families. • Diyala Governorate: More than 18,000 IDPs and returnees received emergency supplies including 840 barrels used for the delivery and storage of kerosene. A total of 1,500 barrels valued at USD $30,000 have been procured for the region. • Atí Tamim Governorate: distributions began on November 28 for more than 6,000 families. Some 2,000 families have received the winter packages to date. All distributions are expected to be completed by mid-January. OFDA has supported the distribution of 100 Livelihood Assets Packages (LAPs) to IDP families in Di- yala Governorate. In total, more than 100 families received the packages valued at $31,000. A second dis- tribution by OFDAís implementing partner distributed 20 additional LAPs valued at $6,200 to remote villages in Diyala Governorate. The content of supply kits provided to IDPs varies according to their needs, but may include items such as blankets, towels, cooking equipment, a radio, containers for water, a kerosene heater, soap and detergent, or a small stove. According to the U.S. Military, approximately 7,000 to 8,000 residents returned to several districts of Fallujah since December 24, marking the first wave of scheduled returns. The re-entry of civilians is scheduled to occur in several stages over the next two to three weeks. To support the returnees in integrat- ing into the community, each returning family will receive a heater, fuel rations, and an immediate payment of 150,000 Iraqi Dinars ($100), provided by the Iraqi government. OFDA projects in northern Iraq increased access to potable water for an estimated 1,975 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable persons in Arbil Governorate, and 1,785 IDPs and vulnerable persons in Ninawa Governorate. OFDA has completed seven shallow wells and installed water pumps in schools in one region of Di- yala Governorate, benefiting approximately 700 students. In another village in the governorate, a deep water well has been completed and a water tank was installed. Construction of the pump house is still in pro- gress. Following completion of the water system, 350 residents will have access to clean water. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● COMPLETED ACTIVITES JANUARY 5, 2005 Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport and re- stored significant portions of Iraqís telecommunications network. USAID also helped avert a humanitarian crisis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nationsí World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribution of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. SEAPORT • USAIDís $45 million programs to rehabilitate and improve management at the port were completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-draft ships; maintenance dredging is ongoing. • Applied port tariffs on June 20, 2003. • Renovated the grain-receiving facility to process 600 MT of grain an hour. • Renovated the administration building, passenger terminal, customs hall, and electrical substations. TELECOMMUNICATIONS • Audited more than 1,200 km of the fiber optic backbone network and performed emergency repairs, re- connecting 20 cities and 70% of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed 13 new switches, and fully integrated them with the 14 existing switches. • Ministry of Communications reactivated more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdadís largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained ITPC engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway system and the new switches. FOOD SECURITY • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distri- bution System (PDS) in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. • With Iraqi food distributors, Food for Peace, the WFP, and Coalition Forces maintained deliveries from June through December 2003 in all 18 governorates. • Played a key role in an agreement between the WFP, CPA, and the MoT that provided the WFP with the resources and authority to continue to support the PDS through June 2004. • In partnership with the United States Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distribu- tion System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11 FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY 5, 2005 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE Subtotal: $3,753,238,000 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 Army Corps of Engineers Architecture and Engineering Services Countrywide $31,328,264 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Louis Berger Group Vocational Education Countrywide $27,200,000 Louis Berger Group Private Sector Development II Countrywide $60,000,000 Bechtel National Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanitation Countrywide $1,029,833,259 Bechtel National Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency communications, power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanita- tion, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,386,809,782 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $155,580,000 DAI Marshlands Dhi Qar Al Basr Maysan $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $71,934,921 Fed Source Personnel Support Countrywide $300,000 IRG Reconstruction Support Countrywide $51,698,152 RTI Local Governance Countrywide $236,911,000 America's Develop- ment Foundation Civil Society Countrywide $42,880,157 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 * Figures in funding sheet are subject to change and do not represent a final official accounting of USG obligations. ** For accounting purposes, funding for this activity has been obligated by OFDA under an existing interagency agreement. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 12 FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY 5, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation CEPPS Transitional Government Countrywide $20,700,000 CEPPS Voter Education, Domestic Observation and Conflict Resolution Countrywide $23,000,000 CEPPS Elections Administration Support Countrywide $64,175,000 UNICEF Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $36,700,000 UNICEF Education Countrywide $19,600,000 UNESCO Textbook Printing & Distribution: Math & Science Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Strengthen Health System Countrywide $10,000,000 SSA Port Management Um Qasr $14,318,985 SkyLink Airport Management Baghdad, Al Basrah, Mosul $27,200,000 MSI Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $5,038,772 CHF Interna- tional Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $461,228 University Partners • The Research Foundation of the State University of New York/Stony Brook and the Universities of Chicago, Boston and Oxford • The Human Rights Institute, DePaul University College of Law and Italyís International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences • University of Hawaii, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, University of Jordan and the American University in Beirut • Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Benetech, US-Iraq Business Resources • University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Cameron University and Langston University Countrywide $20,730,000 Yankee Group Telecoms Planning Countrywide $58,150 VEGA Business Skills Training Countrywide $12,089,702 UNDP Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 World Bank Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000 Emergency Relief USAID/DCHA/OFDAÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.Ö.ÖSubtotal: $114,688,229 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $7,633,952 AirServ Logistics Countrywide $5,309,876 ARC Capacity Building Al Basrah $537,746 CARE IDP Assistance, Quick-impact projects, Water and Sanita- tion, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities Countrywide $9,043,148 The Cuny Center Research Studies Countrywide $40,260 GOAL Coordination, Nutrition Al Muthanna $1,507,900 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 13 FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY 5, 2005 FY 2003-2004 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation InterAction Coordination Kuwait City $92,860 IDA Health Countrywide $1,318,437 IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Capacity Building Countrywide $17,952,898 IOM IDP Assistance Countrywide $6,545,780 IRC IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,000,411 Logistics Emergency Relief Commodities and USAID/DART Support Countrywide $22,553,653 Mercy Corps IDP Assistance, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities, Shelter, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,699,786 SCF/US Food Security, Health, IDP Assistance, Shelter, Nutrition, Emergency Relief Commodities, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $7,957,783 UNICEF Health, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $4,000,000 OCHA Coordination and Information Countrywide $1,200,000 USAID/Jordan Support for Emergency Water Activities Countrywide $500,000 WFP Food Security, Logistics Countrywide $5,000,000 World Vision Health, Logistics, Emergency Relief Commodities, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $6,793,739 USAID/DCHA/FFPÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.ÖÖ..ÖSubtotal: $425,571,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $45,000,000 WFP Emerson Trustó81,500 MT Countrywide $40,337,000 WFP P.L. 48ñ Title II emergency food commoditiesó163,820 MT Countrywide $140,234,000 WFP Regional Purchaseó330,000MT Countrywide $200,000,000 USAID/DCHA/OTIÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..Ö.Ö.ÖSubtotal: $318,169,128 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $9,901,515 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $290,810,533 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 Radio SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 NDI/IRI National Governance Countrywide $650,000 IFES National Governance Countrywide $1,042,315 ICNL Civil Society Countrywide $39,238 Spa War** Inter-Ministry Communications Countrywide $8,703,001 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ FROM 2003-2005ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ..Ö.$4,611,666,357 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 14