USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 5, 4 November 2005

RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE September 23, 2005 November 04, 2005 The construction of water storage basins improve irrigation to fruit and vegetable crops, as well as provide temporary employment to over 100 laborers in Dahuk and Ninewa. Contents: Economic Growth..............................................2 Agriculture.........................................................3 National Governance......................................... 4 Community Action Program .............................. 5 Education .......................................................... 6 Transition Initiatives .......................................... 7 Completed Programs ........................................ 8 Financial Summary ........................................... 9 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraq’s Interim Government. Programs are imple- mented 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 GROWTH November 04, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Assisted the Government of Iraq to develop and submit the first filing in the WTO accession process - the Memorandum of Foreign Trade Regime. • Provided technical assistance and information on contracting opportunities for Iraqi busi- nesses 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 and capacity building to three private sector banks to develop their own lending programs. • Trained over 700 Iraqis in Inter- national Accounting Practices. • Assisted in management of $21 million micro-credit program. Provided over 40,000 hours of microfinance training in 2004- 2005. • 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 automate plan- ning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • Developing the Iraqi Investment Promotion Agency with the Gov- ernment of Iraq. USAID’s Izdihar project trains staff for the new Iraq Investment Promotion Agency. 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 The Izdihar program trains eight future employees of Iraq’s new Invest- ment Promotion Agency. The eight gov- ernment workers from three Iraqi minis- tries received intensive training to become the first employees of the new Iraq Invest- ment Promotion Agency, the independent organization created to encourage foreign direct investment in Iraq. The training, conducted by investment promotion ex- perts, helped provide state-of-the-art tools to the new agency staff in order to assist them in marketing Iraq as a site for inter- national investment. The Iraq Investment Promotion Agency is expected to play a leading role in job creation and eco- nomic development in Iraq. Forty small business owners attend seminar on microfinance loans and business plan development. Led by USAID’s Izdihar project, and in coordi- nation with the Multi-National Force–Iraq (MNF-I) and the local chamber of commerce, this groundbreaking event was an important first step on the path of economic development for small businesses in the area. Eight banks in and around Baghdad have already lent a combined $2.26 million to local busi- nesses since the fall of the old regime in 2003. The same banks are continu- ing their efforts to encourage the growth of local small businesses by transi- tioning from a conservative collateral-based loan system to a more aggressive system based on the cash flow generated by a business. A civilian military operations officer from A Company, 425th Civil Affairs Battal- ion addressed participants on the importance for small companies to have a business plan and described techniques that companies could use to develop their plans. He emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to present a good business plan to banking institutions as part of the loan application process. Attendees expressed their thanks for the event. One small business owner noted: “The strategy and insight provided today will help me finance and achieve my business objectives.” Izdihar project briefs 20 ministry officials on accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Twenty officials of Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture received a briefing from trade experts to build capacity for agriculture-related decisions they will have to make as Iraq seeks membership in the WTO. The Ministry of Agriculture will play a key role in supporting the Government of Iraq as it negotiates commitments on agricultural trade, plant and animal health, and technical barriers to trade. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 AGRICULTURE November 04, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Wheat Seed Cleaners: 169 seed cleaners have been distributed to nine NGOs working in 18 gover- norates, and 175 people have been trained in their use. Clean- ing and treating wheat seed has the potential to increase wheat production by up to 25 percent, while also increasing the percent- age that can be used for bread making. • Water Strategy: Phase One, coordinated by the Ministry of Water Resources, has begun to develop a national water and land use strategy with participation by six ministries. Data collection and analysis will be complete within a year. • Veterinary Clinic Rehabilitation: To date, 51 veterinary clinics have been rehabilitated that serve over 130,000 farmer families. • Irrigation Infrastructure Reha- bilitation: Numerous grants have been given to increase the amount of water available to irri- gate crops by cleaning and/or renovating canals. So far, produc- tivity of nearly 870,000 farmers on 185,000 acres has been in- creased due to better availability of water. • Farm Machinery Mechanics: Fully trained 28 mechanics in farm machinery repair, and sup- plied them with tools to set up their own independent shops. • Date Palm Nurseries: Date palm nurseries established in 13 gover- norates that will produce 410,000 off shoots for new trees a year. The new trees will begin to pump millions of dollars into rural in- comes in about five years when they begin to produce. 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 development ini- tiatives, and rehabilitate the natural resource base. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Construction of water storage facilities underway in Ninewa and Dahuk. The storage facilities will be used to improve irrigation to fruit orchards and vegetable crops, which are the main sources of income for farmers in these villages. These crops are generally irrigated by gravity, often depending on springs that are available in almost every village in the mountainous areas of Ninewa and Dahuk. However, during the dry summer months farmers have either gone without irrigation, resulting in a loss of crop production and in- come, or paid for water to be brought in by a tanker, a solution that was too expensive for many. The new water storage basins, which have been posi- tioned downstream from the springs, will catch and store the water runoff from the springs during times of non-irrigation. Farmers will then use it during dry periods to maintain proper irrigation to their crops. The basins will increase the efficiency of water use and increase crop produc- tion during the dry season. Farmers will receive basic training in cleaning and maintenance of the basins, as well as training in basic farm water manage- ment to increase the overall efficiency of their irrigation practices and increase their crop production and income from the sale of fruits and vegetables. 2004-2005 Potato Crop Demonstration Program to improve potato culti- vation techniques successful. The purpose of the Potato Crop Demonstra- tion program is to introduce farmers to modern methods of potato cultivation to improve production and increase farmers’ incomes. To help Iraqi farmers improve their production to meet domestic demand and increase their income, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Recon- struction and Development in Iraq (ARDI) program introduced improved meth- ods of cultivation on the fields of eight farmers in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk, where potatoes have traditionally been grown. Each farmer established two plots: one hectare planted with his traditional method of potato cultivation, and one hectare planted with improved technology, including hybrid seed pota- toes, appropriate levels and types of pesticides and fertilizers, mechanical planting, and furrow and terrace planting. Results of the demonstration plots indicate that the use of hybrid potatoes and improved cultivation techniques will increase potato production. To increase the impact of the demonstration program, area farmers were in- vited to field days to observe the modern cultivation techniques and compare the plot planted with improved technology to the plot planted with traditional practices. Staff from the College of Agriculture and the Agriculture Directorate discussed the new technology with the farmers, who were interested in adapt- ing the new technologies to increase their own production. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 NATIONAL GOVERNANCE November 04, 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 adopt- ing an Iraqi constitution that promotes democratic principles and values through technical assistance that includes, but is not limited to, providing com- parative constitutional expertise; organizing constitutional confer- ences and conventions; facilitat- ing public awareness, educa- tion, and participation; and as- sisting in the conduct of a na- tional referendum or other ratify- ing mechanism. USAID continues to plan and implement a variety of programs, undertaken in partnership with Iraqi counterparts, matching the needs of the evolving Iraqi democracy. In particular, USAID is accelerating support to the Iraqi National Assembly for the upcoming referendum and elections. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK EIN Deploys Close to 10,000 Observers to Monitor the October 15 Refer- endum. On October 15, EIN monitored Iraq’s first National Referendum in 9,051 polling stations in 4,720 nation-wide polling centers with the support of 9,474 trained monitors and 1,000 additional volunteers. In all, EIN observers were present in 75 percent of the polling centers nationwide (4,720 out of 6,322) submitting monitoring reports after the opening of stations, the closing of stations, and the counting of ballots. Between 445 and 500 monitors were deployed in each governorate – except in Al-Anbar, with 250 observers (due to security concerns), in Baghdad with 1,250 observers and in Basra with 745 observers – levels which enabled a balanced and comprehensive assessment of referendum activities throughout the country. On October 13, EIN also deployed 65 observers to monitor the early votes of Iraqis in the Nassariya hospital’s polling center and in three prisons located in Abu Ghraib, Camp Boca and Nassariya. Final results issued on the number of Iraqis participating in the constitu- tional awareness program between mid-September and October 15. In less than one month, the program succeeded in introducing the content of the constitution to 140,442 individuals throughout Iraq’s 18 governorates. The quantifiable results of the program far exceeded expectations since the Na- tional Democratic Institute (NDI) and the five regional NGOs in charge of the implementation of the program had initially hoped to reach up to 100,000 indi- viduals. The number of surveys collected also exceeded expectations with 111,391 surveys answered by participants. The State University of New York Center for International Development (SUNY/CID) conducted a workshop on ‘Administrative Transparency’ for 30 staff members of the National Assembly. On October 16 and 17, partici- pants were introduced to definitions, concepts and practical case examples linked to issues of transparency and accountability in public service in Iraq. SUNY/CID’s Iraqi trainer used real life Iraqi-based examples to illustrate the causes and consequences of corruption and provided supplementary informa- tion on how to handle suspicious cases in the work environment. NDI continues to assist the constitutional process. In collaboration with staff members of the Assembly, NDI’s Constitutional team worked on gather- ing the various drafts of the constitution, as well as all draft laws which have been considered by members of the Assembly in the past few months. All pending draft laws will be translated for analysis and follow up. NDI’s team is also planning future activities as a result of the latest amendment to the con- stitution which will allow further amendments to be introduced by the new As- sembly in early 2006. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES PROGRAM OBJECTIVES COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM The Community Action Program (CAP) works in rural and urban communities to promote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through partner NGOs and in consultation with local government representa- tives, USAID is creating representative participatory community groups to identify critical priorities and implement programs to address those needs. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Construction continues on the library and student center for a university in the Wassit governorate. The new two-story building will include a com- puter center, exhibition hall, newsletter office, and the Student Body Associa- tion (SBA) office. The Community Development Group (CDG) assisted in ob- taining approvals from the authorities and will furnish and carpet the building. The project will benefit over 8,500 people and create 26 long-term jobs. Universities discuss Centers for Excellence (CFE) to increase cross cul- tural understanding. The CFEs will offer top quality training to students and staff, as well as facilitate a connectivity program between Iraqi youth and their peers in the US. Negotiations are also underway to secure a VSAT system and internet service for each CFE. Additionally, trainers are being sought to help design and imple- ment computer skills program. Reconstruction of primary school in Qadissiyah completed. The project has now moved to Phase II, which entails the receipt of supplies through USAID partners. The local CDG is now working with the media department of the Ministry of Education to prepare project activities following the school’s impending inauguration. This follows the recent inauguration of another war damaged school in Qadis- siyah in September. Work continues on Al-Sadder Stadium. The project includes rehabilitating the field, running track, and seats. Furthermore, the construction of two ad- ministration offices and two locker rooms is near completion. USAID partners will be supplying sports equipment and adding courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. The CDG organized a governorate-wide soccer championship with about 640 participants to commemorate the project. Internet center in Wassit benefits Persons with Disabilities (PWD). The center provided free computer training for PWDs and has begun offering fee- based courses to non-PWDs. The board is currently considering allocating one day per week exclusively to train women with disabilities. USAID partners are in the process of buttressing the center in order to maintain long-term stability and generate income. November 04, 2005 • USAID has supported over 3,300 • USAID has supported over 3,300 projects with not more than 25 projects with not more than 25 percent of total funding coming percent of total funding coming from Iraqi communities. CAP has from Iraqi communities. CAP has established over 600 community established over 600 community action groups (CAGs) in 17 gover- action groups (CAGs) in 17 gover- norates. Five U.S. NGOs each norates. Five U.S. NGOs each concentrate on a region: north, concentrate on a region: north, Baghdad, southwest central, Baghdad, southwest central, southeast central, and south. southeast central, and south. • The northern program focuses on • The northern program focuses on the conflict prone areas of the the conflict prone areas of the Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and the Iran-Iraq border. The partner the Iran-Iraq border. The partner NGO has completed 651 projects NGO has completed 651 projects with over $20 million in project with over $20 million in project commitments including improving commitments including improving the Tikrit water supply, and devel- the Tikrit water supply, and devel- oping income generation projects oping income generation projects in the north. in the north. • In the southwest central region, • In the southwest central region, the partner NGO has established the partner NGO has established a strong presence in Hillah and a strong presence in Hillah and the Shi’a holy cities Najaf and the Shi’a holy cities Najaf and Karbala. Emphasis on critical Karbala. Emphasis on critical infrastructure needs has improved infrastructure needs has improved community water/sanitation ser- community water/sanitation ser- vices and schools, and repaired vices and schools, and repaired vital social infrastructure. The vital social infrastructure. The NGO has completed 365 projects NGO has completed 365 projects and has over $21 million in project and has over $21 million in project commitments. commitments. • Income generation is an important • Income generation is an important emphasis in the Baghdad pro- emphasis in the Baghdad pro- gram where 543 projects have gram where 543 projects have been completed through CAGs. A been completed through CAGs. A marketplace for over 700 vendors marketplace for over 700 vendors is being constructed, and crews is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste are cleaning up medical waste dumps. Total project commit- dumps. Total project commit- ments are $21 million. ments are $21 million. • In the southeast central region, • In the southeast central region, 201 projects are complete with a 201 projects are complete with a total of $18.5 million in commit- total of $18.5 million in commit- ments. In the Shi’a heartland, ments. In the Shi’a heartland, these projects address needs these projects address needs resulting from decades of govern- resulting from decades of govern- ment neglect and focus on water, ment neglect and focus on water, sewerage, community clean-up, sewerage, community clean-up, and school rehabilitation. and school rehabilitation. • The southern program has com- • The southern program has com- pleted 765 projects with total com- pleted 765 projects with total com- mitments of $23 million. Projects mitments of $23 million. Projects have focused on immediate com- have focused on immediate com- munity needs such as sewage munity needs such as sewage clean up, water treatment and clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and distribution, public health, and girls’ access to education. girls’ access to education. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 EDUCATION November 04, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • 2,717 schools have been rehabili- tated, some of which through direct contracting and grants to communities. • Hundreds of thousands of desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and more than 3 million school kits have been distributed country- wide. • 36,000 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 11,000 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. 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 Fifty-eight teachers, supervisors, and administrators attend training to improve teaching methods. The 10-day workshop held in Amman, Jordan – training 44 teachers and 14 supervisors and experts from the Deputy Gen- eral’s Office – focused on new methods and approaches to teaching secon- dary students. In the first phase, participants received instruction in classroom management techniques, cooperative learning approaches, student assess- ment, and mentoring. The workshop also included trips to local private schools where workshop participants were able to view many of these tech- niques and approaches to education first hand. In the second phase, participants received training in adult education, prepar- ing them to train other secondary school teachers in six-day workshops across the country. This cascade training program plans on reaching 20,000 secondary school teachers over the next year. Each of the current participants will be responsible for planning, organizing, and managing future courses, im- proving the quality of education throughout Iraq. The Model Schools training program shows continued success in pre- paring secondary school teachers. The Iraqi Ministry of Education (MOE) and USAID are working together to establish a series of model schools under the basic education program that will help Iraqi educators implement new and innovative teaching methods while giving students access to improved equip- ment. The model schools pro- gram seeks to establish four model schools in each MOE directorate to demonstrate im- proved systems and teaching methods. Each MOE director- ate will have two primary model schools and two secon- dary model schools. Ulti- mately, this will include 84 schools. In addition to cooperative teaching methodology, Iraqi teachers are also receiving training in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and Information and Communica- tion Technology (ICT), prepar- ing teachers to use computers effectively in the classroom. MODEL SCHOOLS TEACHERS TRAINED IN ESL STARTING JULY 30 2005 TARGET 190 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6 week 7 week 8 week 9 week 10 Culmulative No. Teachers Trained % of Target Trained MODEL SCHOOLS TEACHERS TRAINED IN ICT TARGET 2400 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6 week 7 week 8 Culmulative No. Teachers Trained % of Target Trained UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded 4,480 small grants totaling $307 million for quick impact activities that support good governance, civil society, conflict management and miti- gation, human rights and transi- tional justice. • Funded 144 grants totaling over $5 million that focus on women’s issues, including sup- porting the rehabilitation of 46 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 Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) grant provides for the rehabilitation of a lo- cal road, employing 60 local residents. Aimed at relieving community ten- sion by putting unskilled, unemployed young men to work, the grant allowed a local organization to hire 60 young men to clean and paint 20 kilometers of curbs, gutters, and road dividers. The effort made the road’s boundaries more visible especially after dark. A recent bombing near a town in northern Iraq has created concerns that ter- rorist groups are again operating in this area. Insurgents were previously ex- pelled in 2003. It is hoped that the effects of this grant will increase community safety two-fold: first, by making the road safer for drivers and, second, by de- creasing potential for conflict and tension by giving unemployed men a con- structive way to better their lives. ITI helps expand a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on promoting gender equality and combating the physical abuse of women. The ITI grant helped the NGO open another women’s center just outside one of the largest cities in Iraq’s northern region. The grant provided basic materi- als such as wooden beds, a refrigerator, and a stove to make a suitable living environment. Tables, chairs, a sofa set, and three computers were also pro- vided to further outfit the new center. The current shelter not only offers women a place to stay, but also medical and legal services, literacy courses, and other types of self-improvement train- ing, as well as social workers and counselors. It is also involved in awareness campaigns, which draw attention to the problem of abuse against women, in addition to research and documentation of actual abuses. The shelter lobbies law-making bodies to promote laws which protect women’s rights. Both shel- ters are set up to assist 50 residents. A community center in northern Iraq, established to assist returning refugees, receives help in facilitating a training series. The ITI grant pro- vided key equipment for the center’s training of 100 returnees in computer skills and the basics of the English language. It is hoped that such training sessions will enable returning Iraqis to have a competitive edge in the market place and help them become active participants in Iraqi society. Following the fall of Saddam Hussein, refugees displaced over the past 30 years have been returning to their homes from Iran. Since 1998, this commu- nity center has been helping integrate returnees back into society, providing homes, facilitating admissions into Iraq’s universities, and assisting with legal paperwork and obtaining identification documents. Administered by seven staff personnel, the community center now has 20,000 members. November 04, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 COMPLETED PROGRAMS 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-sea ships. • 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. • Completed a rapid food security field assessment from 17 impoverished districts in May 2005 and presented assess- ment findings in the USAID food security forum in August 2005. Forum participants reviewed data to better understand food security in Iraq and recommended actions to reduce risk among Iraq’s vulnerable populations. November 04, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY November 04, 2005 FY 2003-2006* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE ................................................................................. Subtotal: $4,000,978,993 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 sanitation, Basra Hospital Countrywide $1,319,911,678 CAII Education Countrywide $56,503,000 CAII Education II Countrywide $51,809,000 CEPPS I Iraq Governing Council Countrywide $675,000 CEPPS II Domestic Observation/Vote Countrywide $68,595,000 CEPPS III Voter Education Countrywide $45,310,000 CEPPS IV Elections Administration Support Countrywide $41,000,000 Community Action Program Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $258,820,000 DAI Marshlands South $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $101,352,912 Futures Group Health Countrywide $30,000 Logenix Health North/Central $108,506 Louis Berger Vocational Education Countrywide $30,016,115 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 ● 9 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY November 04, 2005 FY 2003-2006 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation RTI Local Governance Countrywide $241,910,757 RTI Local Governance II Countrywide $85,000,000 RTI Health Training Countrywide $22,015,750 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: $182,794,981 ACTED Water and sanitation, health/hygiene, education Eastern Iraq $2,995,793 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $8,991,845 AirServ Logistics Countrywide $5,309,876 ARC Capacity Building Central and Southern Iraq $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’ and Dhi Qar $1,507,900 InterAction Coordination Countrywide $92,860 IDA Health Countrywide $1,318,437 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY November 04, 2005 FY 2003-2006 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Capacity Building Countrywide $34,832,887 IOM IDP Assistance Central and Southern Iraq $18,892,470 IRC IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,000,411 IRD IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation, Livelihoods, Emergency Relief Commodities Northern and Central 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: $382,626,933 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,669,468 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 2003-2006 .................................... $4,991,971,907 * 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 ● 11