USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 55, 9 July 2003

Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Iraq – Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet #55, Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 July 9, 2003 • Current Humanitarian Situation (updated once a week) Sector Updates Food Local Purchase • On July 6, the U.S. Government Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) monitored the progress of the purchase of locally harvested wheat and barley at the 15,000 metric ton (MT) capacity grain silo in Zahko, Dahuk Governorate. The General Director of the silo reported that the grain purchase is proceeding smoothly and that farmers are generally content with the purchase arrangement. • Of the 2.5 million first tranche allocated for local wheat purchase in the south-central region, $1.5 million went to Al Qadisiyah Governorate, $800,000 to An Najaf Governorate, $200,000 to Karbala’ Governorate, and none to Babil Governorate. This distribution does not reflect the distribution of agricultural production among governorates and shortfalls in governorates such as Babil must be addressed in the second tranche of payments during July. • The Governorate Support Team (GST) in An Najaf Governorate reported that 70 to 80 percent of the rural population is dependent on agriculture for its main source of income. In the An Najaf and Al Qadisiyah Governorates, rice is one of the most important crops and is planted in June and harvested in November/December. The lack of a local harvest program for rice and continued electricity problems that may threaten this year’s rice crop may severely impact a large percentage of the agriculture sector in the region. • The DART recently conducted a site visit to the Bazwaya grain storage area outside Mosul, one of the designated wheat and barley local harvest collection points for Ninawa’ Governorate. Grain is stored in large, open concrete bins, some of which are covered with tarps. The storage capacity is 180,000 MT, with 80,000 MT of space currently used. Since June 19, local farmers have delivered approximately 14,000 MT of wheat and 1,500 MT of barley to the storage area. The approximate reported rejection rate is 2 to 3 trucks (20 to 40 MT/truck) per day, due primarily to dirty wheat. The Director of the facility and his staff did not consider fungus-infested wheat a significant problem. The Director indicated that this year’s harvest was of poor quality, due to inadequate or sporadic rainfall. Pipeline • Approximately 1.2 million MT of food, out of the 2.2 million MT required through October, have entered Iraq. Another 400,000 to 500,000 MT are expected in July. • As of June 29, the UN World Food Program (WFP) moved its Pipeline Unit from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Baghdad to assist the MOT and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in identifying priority Oil-For-Food Program (OFFP) contracts. Public Distribution System (PDS) • WFP reports that the distribution cycle for the June PDS ration is completed. The overall current distribution in the country for the month of June amounts to 404,496 MT. The MOT has announced that the July PDS distributions have already started in all lower southern Governorates and in Dahuk Governorate, where 50 percent of wheat flour requirements have already been delivered to local flour agents. All ration items for the July distribution are reportedly in adequate supply, aside from wheat flour, which is resourced at two-thirds of total requirements. • USAID partner Save the Children and local health officials have completed a plan for eight Primary Health Care sectors in Al Basrah, including the distribution of high protein biscuits according to needs and the security situation. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be responsible for the storage, transportation, and protection of the high protein biscuits during distribution. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) • On July 3, the DART continued it assessment of IDP populations in the north with a site visit to the Binaslawa IDP camp, approximately 5 miles east of Arbil. Approximately 304 families, mostly from Kirkuk and Halabjah, live in makeshift huts; 104 of the families are returnees from Iran. Most residents have no income and there are a significant number of disabled people. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has built bathrooms for 157 families, but more than half of the families have no bathrooms. A tanker truck provides approximately 400 liters of water every other day. Security Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 • CPA reported that 34 Iraqi police stations and three police divisions in Baghdad are now operating 24 hours a day, as of July 8. In Baghdad, three courts have opened to try those arrested and a criminal detention facility has been established. In addition, 8,785 Iraqi police force members have reported back to work. • Security continues to be of concern for WFP. In Al Basrah, due to insufficient MOT warehouse security, minor looting reportedly continues. Many of the last food distributions for the June cycle have been delayed due to security constraints. • According to the DART, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was fired at the recently established International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Mosul on July 6. The attack slightly injured one guard and damaged two vehicles. IOM has temporarily suspended its operations in Mosul and international staff has relocated to Arbil. • WFP reported that unidentified assailants threw two grenades over the perimeter fence at the WFP compound in Mosul on July 6. One grenade did not detonate. The grenade shattered office windows and slightly injured one guard. According to WFP, later the same evening, a large group descended on the office with the apparent intent of looting the complex. A WFP vehicle outside the compound was damaged in the process. The WFP office in Mosul is only a few kilometers from the IOM office that was attacked by a RPG on July 6. Current Reconstruction Situation (updated twice a week) • Sector Updates Electricity • Electricity generation reached 3,116 megawatts nationwide on July 6, and Baghdad consumed 1,106 megawatts on July 6. The 400-kilovolt line that connects Baiji power station to the Baghdad West substation is now energized. Hot weather, looting, and poor facilities continue to pose challenges to higher generation capacity. Fuel • Baghdad Governorate received 4.6 million liters of gasoline on July 6, and the city of Baghdad received 3.5 million liters. Baghdad now has seven days of reserves. Lines at gas stations are noticeably shorter than they were in June. On July 6, Baghdad received 64,020 liquid propane gas (LPG) cylinders. Health • USAID partner International Rescue Committee (IRC) recently completed training for the first group of midwives in Karbala’ Governorate. Community health promoters at the Al Bath and Al Nasser clinics recently finished a three-day training course. The week of July 1, these health promoters completed five days of community outreach in the Al Nasser and Al Bath clinics that serve approximately 76,000 local residents. In addition, minor restoration was supplied to the Al Bath clinic in Karbala’. • USAID partner International Medical Corps (IMC) reported that two in-service training programs for nursing staff were held at Az Zahrowee Surgical Hospital in Al Amarah and attended by 35 nurses. The curriculum focused on personal hygiene and aseptic nursing techniques. Work has begun on the curriculum for the next training program that will focus on instructing patients about contaminated water and proper sanitation practices. • USAID partner Abt Associates, Inc. is providing six small grants to Iraqi health organizations, focusing on professional development for health care providers, developing a health referral network, improving primary care in the Al Rasheed neighborhood of Baghdad, and defining building and equipment specifications for use in reconstruction of hospitals and primary care clinics. Local Governance • Through USAID Community Action Program (CAP) partner Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF), businessmen and shopkeepers in the Bab Almashad commercial district in Al Hillah agreed to elect an eight-to- twelve member representative community association to provide a democratic forum for solving problems. • World Vision International (WVI) is beginning a comprehensive child protection assessment of Mosul Governorate. This UNICEF-funded program covers all of Iraq under different implementing agencies, and will last for three months. • On July 3, USAID partners Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), IOM, and Research Triangle Institute (RTI), together with Raytheon and Civil Affairs, clarified roles and project scope for a joint initiative to renovate the Provisional Governorate Building in Kirkuk. The multi-phase project includes furnishings and office space for the interim city council, refurbished auditorium and conference rooms, computers, and Internet service. • The U.S. Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC) in Mosul, with assistance from the Abuse Prevention Unit (APU), is organizing a two-day student leadership conference about the power of student leaders. It will include students from Mosul University and address how to build advocacy through student leadership councils as well as topics selected by students. • The week of July 1, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) and CPA Humanitarian Assistance Officers visited Karbala’, Ad Diwaniyah, and Al Hillah to identify female community leaders interested in working towards an improved and strengthened role for women in Iraqi society. Organized through the local GSTs, initial meetings with women’s associations revealed strong support among the women for the overall Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 need to strengthen and improve the situation of women. The women stressed the need for educational opportunities for girls and women in areas of literacy, health, family planning, and vocational skills. • The USAID/OTI-funded Fire Rescue Development Program (FDRP) assessment team arrived in Baghdad July 7. The three-member team from the United States and Italy will visit the five largest cities in Iraq—Baghdad, Al Basrah, Kirkuk, Mosul, and Arbil—to provide technical advice to fire departments on the provision of emergency services with existing supplies and materials, and to assess the critical equipment needs of the fire departments. The team will be working closely with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and Civil Affairs. • The delivery of a new generator to the Kirkuk Central Fire Station and inspection of its recently completed generator shelter and sleeping quarters resulted in completion of the USAID/OTI grant through DAI, which renovated the fire station building and provided furniture and equipment to replace looted items and restore local telephone communications. • The USAID Mission and RTI participated in the recent inauguration of the Baghdad Interim City Advisory Council. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer addressed the first meeting of this council, representing the last step in a process of setting up 88 neighborhood councils and nine district councils. • USAID partner RTI is working with the Kirkuk City Council on agenda setting and preparation of support documents in Arabic as well as providing mentoring and guidance on conducting meetings. RTI recently participated in Kirkuk City Council work sessions to select and appoint managing directors for several directorates. RTI recommended establishment of a subcommittee to review the professional qualifications and experience of candidates identified by the mayor and provide a list of vetted candidates to the Kirkuk City Council for consideration. Media • On July 13, USAID/OTI private sector partner Bechtel will convene an Iraqi subcontractors conference for an anticipated 600 attendees in Al Basrah. USAID is working with the Iraqi Media Network (IMN) to ensure placement of public service announcements announcing the conference on IMN’s Al Basrah television and radio stations. Umm Qasr Port • The first container vessel M/V Sima Kija came into Umm Qasr port on June 26 and began discharging 120 containers on July 3 with the utilization of vessel cranes. After discharging at the new port, the ship moved to the old port to back load empty containers. • Security inside the port area is improving, as 70 percent of the port is illuminated at night and trespassers are now taken to the court in Al Basrah. USAID private sector partner Bechtel’s subcontractors are scheduled to begin work on the security perimeter wall on July 10. • Vessel operators must file a cargo manifest with the Iraqi customs office at least 48 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival. Customs officials will board the vessel upon arrival and check for un-manifested cargo and contraband. There will be no customs duty in Iraq through 2003. Water and Sanitation • On July 4, Baghdad received approximately 1,400 million liters of water. The Baghdad City Water Board staff repaired 432 breaks in the city water system in the last week of June and first week of July using their own staff and spare parts. U.S. Government Response (New information is underlined.) Emergency Relief and Transition Initiatives • USAID’s Office of U. S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is supporting U.N. and NGO emergency assistance activities through quick-impact projects and IDP support. USAID/OFDA supports projects in the sectors of agriculture, food security, health, logistics, nutrition, shelter, and water and sanitation. • USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) is providing emergency food commodities through the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust (BEHT) and P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance to WFP for distribution to food insecure Iraqis. WFP also received a cash contribution from USAID/FFP for the purchase of commodities in the region. • The Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) contributed assistance for the pre-positioning and emergency response activities of UNHCR, ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and IOM. • USAID/OTI is supporting the implementation of the Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI). The ITI program supports the process of political stabilization and community recovery in post-conflict Iraq by providing small grants designed to build confidence among Iraq's diverse ethnic groups, increase citizen participation in decision- making, and rapidly respond to community needs, while establishing and building trust for long term reconstruction efforts. The ITI program is implemented through USAID/OTI implementing partners DAI and IOM. In addition, USAID/OTI works with the Broadcasting Board of Governors to enhance the capacity of Radio SAWA to broadcast humanitarian and reconstruction reporting. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 • As of July 9, USAID/OTI has 112 small grants in various stages of development and implementation. Ninety- six small grant proposals have been cleared and are now being implemented, and an additional 15 grant proposals are formally in development. • On July 5, USAID/OTI implementing partner DAI provided a $27,220 grant to the Free Prisoners Association (FPA) for the purchase of essential equipment and supplies. FPA is a Baghdad organization of former political prisoners that acts as a resource for victims and their families by gathering, recording, storing, and publicizing information on those who were missing, imprisoned, abused, and killed by the Iraqi Ba`ath regime. • USAID/OTI implementing partner DAI will provide grants for two upcoming projects. The first, for the Women’s Empowerment project in Halabjah and Hawraman, will provide a local NGO with the resources to facilitate literacy, tailoring, and hair-cutting courses for women in poor, war-torn areas. The courses will also cover health care, mine awareness, and women’s rights. The second, for the Iraqi Media Network Radio Station in Kirkuk, will provide the station with equipment to expand its programming capacity and broadcast signal. • DAI is also using USAID/OTI funds to to provide equipment for the newly rehabilitated Ninawa’ Governorate Directorate of Education building in Mosul. The $24,790 grant will fund desks, chairs, file cabinets, and other equipment for the newly renovated building. USAID/OTI’s grant is part of a broader effort to restore the building to working order and thereby allow the Directorate of Education to resume Ministry operations. The project was coordinated with IOM, which funded the major renovation needs of the Directorate, and Save the Children UK, which funded the initial trash removal from the building and the repair of damaged windows. • USAID/OTI implementing partner IOM has approved several new grants: Mosul Juvenile Courthouse renovation, Kirkuk Military Hospital renovation (to be converted from military to civilian use), computers for the Kirkuk City Planning Directorate, Sewage system repair in Saed Allawi Quarter in Kirkuk, rehabilitation of the Allergy and Asthma Center in Kirkuk, equipment for the Kirkuk Department of Sanitation (garbage cleanup), rehabilitation of Kirkuk’s Solid Waste Technical Center, Kirkuk Dentistry Clinic rehabilitation, and Kirkuk playgrounds rehabilitation. • USAID/OTI implementing partner IOM is establishing an Internet Center at Babylon University with a grant for $36,000. The Internet Center at the University’s Science College will be equipped with ten computer stations, a server, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and a printer. The Internet Center will bring new learning tools to the university and serve as a place for students to exchange national and international news and opinions. The center will be open to all university students and staff. Reconstruction • In addition to the emergency relief assistance provided through the DART by USAID and the Department of State, USAID’s Asia and Near East Bureau (USAID/ANE) has provided timely assistance for reconstruction activities in Iraq in a broad range of sectors. USAID supports reconstruction projects in education, governance, health, and infrastructure. • USAID has awarded an additional $45 million to private sector partner Bechtel to rebuild the communications infrastructure in Iraq. Two projects will be funded with this $45 million. The first project is the reconstitution of the 2,000-kilometer fiber-optic backbone from Mosul in the north through Baghdad to An Nasiriyah and Umm Qasr in the south. This project will restore intercity communications within Iraq by mid-November. The second project will partially reconstitute the public switched network in Baghdad. Ten of 33 switches were damaged during the war. This project will install four switches, restoring 120,000 telephone lines out of 280,000, which are now inoperable. The project will also install a satellite gateway, allowing international calling for about half of the country by mid to late August. • In An Najaf Governorate, USAID partner IRC is rehabilitating 46 Compact Water Treatment Plants (CWTP) to benefit more than 53,000 residents. The IRC recently reported that 50 percent of CWTP rehabilitation in An Najaf is scheduled to be completed during the first part of July, reaching more than 32,000 beneficiaries. In Karbala’ Governorate, the IRC recently identified 14 CTWPs to be repaired. Comprehensive assessments on the CTWPs in Karbala’ are scheduled to begin the week of July 7, and direct repair will begin the following week. • The USAID-funded IRC project for solid waste collection, which will be implemented in four sectors of Kirkuk is reportedly scheduled to begin early July and will benefit approximately 480,000 residents. The emergency sewage line clearance project that operate in five sectors of Kirkuk and benefit approximately 300,000 people is also ready for implementation. • USAID partner IMC recently reported that the water and sanitation work continues in the An Nasiriyah General Hospital including installation of 68 sinks, 54 showers, 64 toilets, and the unblocking of internal sewage lines. The installation of similar items for the school for the deaf in An Nasiriyah is scheduled to be completed the first part of July, benefiting 134 children. • With assistance from the UN Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), an advisory committee consisting of 30 Iraqis representing the different ethnic, religious, and regional groups in Iraq are Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 continuing to work on revising and editing math and science textbooks for grades 1 through 12. All 47 math and science textbooks will be reviewed by August, with 5.3 million books to be delivered by October 1. • As part of the USAID-funded Creative Associates International Inc.’s (CAII) Revitalization of Iraqi Schools and the Stabilization of Education Program (RISE), CAII’s logistics team and procurement subcontractor are scheduled to travel throughout Iraq in early July to identify local manufacturers of desks, blackboards, chairs, and other items to establish competition mechanisms for local procurement of school kits. Entrepreneurs have already been identified in Al Basrah and are currently developing sample desks and blackboards to aid in the discussions. • USAID, through the RISE program, has completed inventory of 1,029 of the 3,900 secondary schools throughout Iraq. Background • Since 1991, the Iraqi population has subsisted on the brink of a humanitarian disaster due to the lingering effects of war, sanctions, and drought. Between 1991 and 1996, the USG provided nearly $794 million in humanitarian assistance to IDPs in northern Iraq. • In 1996, the Government of Iraq accepted the OFFP, after which humanitarian conditions improved. Revenues from the OFFP provided food, medicine, and other civilian goods to assist vulnerable Iraqis through the PDS. However, widespread corruption by Iraqi officials limited the effectiveness of the OFFP program. • On March 20, 2003, Coalition forces began military operations in Iraq. On May 1, 2003, 42 days after the conflict began, U.S. President George W. Bush announced that major combat operations in Iraq had ended. Although the conflict did not result in the large-scale humanitarian crisis and widespread displacement many had envisioned, the conflict and subsequent disorder have exacerbated the Iraqi population's vulnerability. • In March 2003, the USG deployed a multi-agency DART to the region to assess and respond to humanitarian needs and to help coordinate the emergency relief effort. In Iraq, the DART established offices in Arbil, Baghdad, Al Hillah, and Al Basrah. In addition, DART members were also located in Kuwait and Cyprus, and worked closely with U.N. agencies, NGOs, and in coordination with U.S. Military Civil Affairs personnel. Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2003 EMERGENCY RELIEF USAID/OFDA ........................................................................................................................................... $54,898,340 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $4,061,957 AirServ Logistics Countrywide $2,151,585 ARC Capacity building, Disaster support Al Basrah $542,047 The Cuny Center Research studies Countrywide $40,260 GOAL Coordination, Nutrition Al Muthanna $1,507,900 International Dispensary Association Health Countrywide $711,850 InterAction Coordination Kuwait City $92,860 IOM IDP programs Countrywide $5,000,000 IMC Capacity building Countrywide $202,900 Logistics Commodities and DART support Countrywide $8,003,850 SCF/US NGO Consortium Countrywide $883,131 UNICEF Health, nutrition, water/sanitation Countrywide $4,000,000 UN OCHA Coordination and Information Countrywide $1,200,000 WFP Logistics and pre-positioning of food Countrywide $5,000,000 Cooperative Agreements IMC Quick-impact projects: Food Security, Health, Nutrition, Water/Sanitation Countrywide $5,000,000 Health Al Basrah, Maysan, Wasit, Kirkuk, At’ Tamin Health, Water/Sanitation An Nasiriyah IRC Quick-impact projects: Health, Water/Sanitation Countrywide $3,000,000 Water/Sanitation Kirkuk, Karbala’ , Najaf Mercy Corps Quick-impact projects: Health, Non- Food Items, Shelter, Water/Sanitation Countrywide $3,000,000 Water/Sanitation Kirkuk Water/Sanitation Diyala, Al Kut, Khanaqin Water/Sanitation Wasit Water/Sanitation Al Basrah SCF/US Quick-impact projects: Food Security, Health, Shelter, Nutrition, Non-Food Items, Water/Sanitation Countrywide $4,000,000 Nutrition Mosul Health, Transportation Mosul Water/Sanitation Al Basrah Health Mosul Health Baghdad Nutrition Baghdad Water/Sanitation, Health Al Basrah IDP Support Al Basrah World Vision Quick-impact projects: Health, Logistics, Non-Food Items Countrywide $2,500,000 Water/Sanitation Al Anbar Hospital Rehabilitation Al Anbar Water/Sanitation Mosul CARE Quick-impact projects Countrywide $4,000,000 Water System Rehabilitation Al Anbar Blankets, Hygiene Kits Baghdad Iraq Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance Fact Sheet - July 9, 2003 U.S. Government Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance to Iraq* USAID/FFP .............................................................................................................................................. $389,333,000 WFP Operations Countrywide $55,000,000 WFP Emerson Trust – 81,500 MT Countrywide $45,633,000 WFP P.L. 480 Title II emergency food commodities – 105,300 MT Countrywide $88,700,000 WFP Regional Purchase – 330,000 MT Countrywide $200,000,000 STATE/PRM.............................................................................................................................................. $37,630,000 UNHCR Emergency assistance Countrywide $21,000,000 ICRC Emergency assistance Countrywide $10,000,000 IFRC Emergency assistance Countrywide $3,000,000 IOM TCN – transportation assistance Countrywide $3,630,000 RECONSTRUCTION USAID/ANE ............................................................................................................................................ $361,064,079 ABT Health Countrywide $11,995,000 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $8,000,000 Army Corps of Engineers Architecture and Engineering services Countrywide $3,000,000 Bechtel Capital Construction Countrywide $193,000,000 Community Action Program Capacity Building Countrywide $35,000,000 IRG Reconstruction Support Countrywide $9,786,094 RTI Local Governance Countrywide $19,611,000 CAII Education Countrywide $22,853,000 UNICEF Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $20,000,000 UNICEF Education Countrywide $7,000,000 UNESCO Textbook Printing and Distribution Countrywide $10,000,000 WHO Health Countrywide $10,000,000 SSA Port Management Umm Qasr $4,818,985 SkyLink Airport Management Baghdad $5,000,000 MSI Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $1,000,000 USAID/OTI ................................................................................................................................................ $23,942,344 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $708,732 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $8,200,000 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $14,473,253 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003 ....................................................................... $829,237,763 TOTAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003 ........................................................................ $37,630,000 TOTAL STATE/USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ IN FY 2003......................................................... $866,867,763 *Figures in funding sheet are subject to change and do not represent a final official accounting of USG obligations.