USAID Iraq: Fact sheet no. 25, 21 April 2005

RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE April 21, 2005 School in Wasit governorate rebuilt with support from the Assistance to Civilian Victims of the Conflict initiative of the Community Action Program. Contents: Water and Sanitation.........................................2 Economic Governance ......................................3 Agriculture.........................................................4 Education .......................................................... 5 National Governance ..................................... 6 Community Action Program ........................... 7 Transition Initiatives ....................................... 8 Completed Activities....................................... 9 Financial Summary ........................................ 10 USAID assists Iraqis in reconstructing their country by working with Iraq’s Interim Government. Programs are implemented in coordination with the United Nations, country partners, nongovernmental organizations and private sector partners. This report highlights USAID’s overall accomplishments and recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WWW.USAID.GOV MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE WATER AND SANITATION USAID’s goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially those in the south where water quantity and quality are particularly low. An anticipated 11.8 million Iraqis will benefit from USAID’s $600 million in water and sanitation projects. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Work moves forward on the refurbishment of a water treatment plant in Karbala. Currently, work focuses on placing prefabricated reinforcement sys- tems, formwork, and concrete for compact unit foundations. Installation of a new low lift pump and refurbishing of piping and valves is ongoing at the in- take works. This project will install 10 compact clarifier units, with a total ca- pacity of 25 million gallons per day, and enlarge the existing inlet works and associated pump station. The plant is located in the city’s center, near one of Shia Islam’s holiest shrines. In addition to providing water to city residents, potable water will be supplied seasonally to an estimated three million pil- grims. The project will be completed in September 2005. USAID is currently implementing the Baghdad Water Distributions Mains project that involves modeling the distribution system to collect data and conduct a survey of major water mains in the city and the extensive repair and replacement of mains, distribution pipes and valves. After years of neglect and inconsistent repair, the Baghdad Municipal water system was badly deteriorated. The entire distribution network had neither a Master Plan nor a hydraulic model. The system presently loses about 60 percent of its water due to leaks, illegal connections, and unmetered water uses includ- ing government buildings and fire protection. With approximately 32km of main and connection pipe installed to date, the project will be completed by the end of December 2005. The data collection for the hydraulic model has been completed and the final design is complete for 75 of the 79 sectors, laying a foundation for an accurate model of the water distribution network. Civil and electrical work is underway at water and sewage treatment plants serving Diyala governorate which require rehabilitation and ex- pansion to better serve the region’s 60,000 residents. The water treat- ment plant is operating well below capacity, providing only 33 percent of the potable water needed for the region. Currently, work continues on placing concrete for the power plant electrical ducts, sludge pits, and compact units. Sand media filling was recently completed for one compact unit and the sand base for the raw water pipeline is proceeding. This project is 70 percent fin- ished and is scheduled for completion in May 2005. USAID and the US Army have completed work to rehabilitate Mosul’s water treatment and sewer systems. In support of the Army’s efforts to in- stall diesel generator systems and rehabilitate Mosul’s six water treatment plants and eight pump stations, USAID worked to clear the city’s sewer and storm-drain systems and provided trucks and other equipment including pumps and pump control systems, valves, penstocks, pipes, spare parts, tools, and electrical equipment. USAID also provided welding training to wa- ter treatment plant operations and maintenance staff. With the completion of this project and the re-commissioning of the elevated tanks, Mosul will have 24 hours of water available. April 21, 2005 • Nationwide: Repaired various sewage lift stations and water treatment units. • Baghdad: Expanding and reha- bilitating one water treatment plant and constructing another to increase capacity by approxi- mately 120 million gallons per day; rehabilitating sewage treat- ment plants. − A major wastewater treatment plant in Baghdad began operat- ing in June of 2004; this is the first major sewage plant in the country to operate in over 12 years. − The sewage treatment system in Baghdad, barely functioning for years before the conflict, will be restored to almost 100- percent capacity, serving 80 percent of Baghdad’s popula- tion. − Standby generators are being installed at 41 Baghdad water facilities. • South: Rehabilitated parts of the Sweet Water Canal system, including repairing breaches, cleaning the main reservoir, and refurbished 14 water treatment plants around Basrah serving 1.75 million people. • South Central: Rehabilitating two water plants and four sew- age plants. − Completed the rehabilitation of a sewage plant in Babil Gover- norate. − Sewage plants in An Najaf, Al Qadisiyah, Karbala, and Babil Governorates will serve 440,000 upon completion. − Water treatment in Najaf and Babil will serve residents and visitors at Iraq’s holiest shrines. • North: Completed rehabilitation of Kirkuk water plant and con- tinuing refurbishment of sewage plant near Mosul. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 April 21, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE USAID supports sustainable economic reforms in Iraq including examining and reforming laws, regulations, and institutions and providing a framework for private sector trade, commerce, and investment. The reforms will strengthen the Central Bank and the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Commerce and Indus- try—among others. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID’s Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) program supports the development of a competitive and efficient private sector in Iraq through a package of training, technical assistance, consulting, and business entrepreneurship services. Recent activities in support of VEGA objectives have included: Grant activities. VEGA recently approved 16 grants for a total of $111,160, including six grants ($36,950) in Baghdad and 10 ($74,210) in Arbil. Grants were provided to a broad variety of businesses, including a private dental clinic, a sewing workshop, a bakery, a beekeeping operation, a printing press, and an art production venture. Training of trainers. VEGA advisors conducted a “training of trainers” (TOT) workshop for field staff from a non-governmental organization that is working with USAID’s Community Action Program. The TOT session in Arbil provided instruction on basic business skills development to 12 NGO staffers from Kirkuk, Samarra, Tikrit, Balad Ross, and Diyala. USAID’s Iraq Economic Governance II (IEG II) program is working with Iraqi government counterparts to build their capacity to reform the tax system. Recent activities have included: Building government capacity. IEG II is working with Iraq’s General Commis- sion for Taxes (GCT) to strengthen its ability to collect and regulate taxes. Advisors delivered drafts of policy papers that recommend and detail a new organizational structure for the GCT, taking into account the impact of a new automated tax administration system that is also being supported by IEG II. Drafting new tax forms. IEG II advisors recently completed and delivered to the GCT drafts of new tax forms, including audit forms, a wage withholding tax adjustment notice, a wage withholding tax collection notice, and a form for waiving penalties for delayed payment of wage withholding taxes. Iraqi entrepreneurs and business people took part in recent training sessions and other business development activities as part of the VEGA program. Recent activities have included: Training activities. An Iraqi women’s NGO delivered a basic business skills training seminar for Iraqi businesses in As Sulaymaniyah. Topics included developing and writing business plans, managing finances, marketing, and business management. Twenty-eight business representatives attended the training session; 25 of whom were women. Business toolkits. Business training toolkits were received from the US and are now being revised for the local context prior to being translated into Arabic and Kurdish. The toolkits are designed to assist trainers in improving the skills of small business employees and owners in entrepreneurship, account- ing, and financial management. • Developed WTO Accession Roadmap in cooperation with Iraqi officials. • Provided technical assistance as well as information on con- tracting opportunities for Iraqi businesses and entrepreneurs through business centers. • Worked with the Ministry of Fi- nance to introduce the new Iraqi dinar. • Created more than 77,000 pub- lic works jobs through the Na- tional Employment Program. • Provided technical assistance on accounting, budgeting and lending activities at Iraq’s com- mercial banks. Trained 116 bankers from the Rafidain and Rasheed banks in six training courses. • Assisted in management of $21 million micro-credit program. • Improved statistical analysis, monetary policymaking, and bank supervision procedures at Iraq’s Central Bank; offered a two-week banking course to Central Bank staff with the Fed- eral Reserve Bank of New York. • Evaluated and updated com- mercial laws on private sector and foreign investment. • Assisted in developing the five percent reconstruction levy on imports; built capacity of cus- toms officials to implement levy. • Developed a government-wide IT strategy to support the auto- mation of planning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. • Provided technical support for the re-opening of the Iraq Stock Exchange after it was closed down for more than 15 months; 3.6 billion Iraqi dinars ($2.4 mil- lion USD) in shares were traded in the first day. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 April 21, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Summer and Winter Crop Technology Demonstrations: These demonstrations are intro- ducing farmers to new technolo- gies and techniques through extension field days. • Animal Health: Several veteri- nary clinics in Kirkuk, Fallujah, and other cities are being reno- vated and a grant has been made for dipping tanks to im- prove sheep health and wool. • Technology Support: The Min- istry of Agriculture and a major university’s schools of Agricul- ture and Veterinary Science have been awarded grants to furnish and equip computer centers, improving research capabilities and consulting ca- pacity. • Date Palm Propagation: In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, 40,000 elite date palm offshoots are being used to establish mother orchards in 13 governorates as part of a multiplication program and the establishment of a national reg- ister of elite varieties. • Agriculture Sector Transition Plan: This plan, completed in April 2004, addresses the short- term recovery of agricultural infrastructure as well as medium and long-term implementation of policies to develop a market- based agricultural economy. A field is plowed to make way for olive trees. AGRICULTURE USAID’s goals are to work in conjunction with Iraqi ministries, the private sec- tor, and higher education institutions to revitalize agricultural production, stimulate income and employment generation, nurture rural initiatives, and rehabilitate the natural resource base. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and USAID’s Agriculture Reconstruction and Develop- ment for Iraq (ARDI) program are working to improve productivity in Iraqi orchards. Preparation has begun on 24 farms in Dahuk gover- norate participating in an olive or- chard improvement project aimed at enhancing olive production and improving the skills and income of beneficiary farmers. To increase earning potential, MOA/ARDI will provide seedlings from nurseries in the region, using popular varieties that have a large domestic market. When field preparation is complete, each farmer will receive 300 olive seedlings. MOA/ARDI has awarded a grant to a local NGO to provide practical training in orchard establishment and management, which will increase farmers’ techni- cal knowledge and improve peach production. One hundred farmers in Dahuk have been invited to participate in the first field day in April that will focus on practical training for peach orchard maintenance. Farmers have begun preparing fields in two villages in Dahuk that will be used for 20 demonstration apple orchards. So far, an estimated four hectares have been prepared for the 2,100 seedlings that are superior genotypes from local rootstock and will be planted in the coming months. Participating farmers re- ceived production tools this week and will receive training in orchard produc- tion and management once the seedlings have been planted. More than 50 Iraqi farmers, researchers, and government officials took part in a recent workshop at the MOA in As Sulaymaniyah to plan this year’s hybrid corn trials. The workshop was supported by the MOA and the ARDI program as part of an activity that helps farmers plant improved, hybrid varieties of corn that bear higher yields and lower costs. A new plot will be planted in As Sulaymaniyah as part of MOA/ARDI’s commitment to scientific and technical cooperation between the Central Government in Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government. The workshop was designed to introduce the farmers, researchers, and MOA staff to the trials and explain and discuss the methods that will be used in the new corn plot. The research from the tri- als will determine which hybrids are best suited to Iraq’s climate, soil, and growing seasons. The hybrids will increase corn production for poultry feed and help reduce Iraq’s reliance on imports. The yields from last year’s trials were tremendous, and the group in As Sulay- maniyah hopes to repeat this success in their own plot. Researchers and farmers will begin planting this week. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 EDUCATION April 21, 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 countrywide. • Supplies − Distributed desks, chairs, cabi- nets, chalkboards, and kits for primary and secondary schools countrywide. − Printed and distributed 8.7 mil- lion revised math and science textbooks to grades 1-12 by mid-February 2004. • Institutional Strengthening − Completed a major initiative that trained nearly 33,000 secondary school teachers and administra- tors, including 860 master train- ers, nationwide. − Conducted a pilot accelerated learning program in five Iraqi cities to allow out-of-school chil- dren to complete two school years in one year. More than 550 students participated. − Assisted the Ministry in estab- lishing official baseline educa- tion data for Iraq. • Higher Education − Awarded five grants worth $20.7 million to create partnerships between 10 Iraqi universities and U.S. counterparts in the Higher Education and Develop- ment (HEAD) program. − The HEAD program has pro- vided training opportunities for approximately 1,000 Iraqi fac- ulty and students, awarded more than 75 mini-grants, and supported a dozen graduate students in full-time study. − HEAD is helping Iraqi universi- ties rebuild and re-equip facili- ties; send students and profes- sors to international confer- ences; and reform curricula. 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 USAID is strengthening agricultural research and education in Iraq through a partnership between agriculture colleges at the University of Hawaii and Iraqi universities. The Higher Education and Development (HEAD) partnership is training faculty and students, improving laboratories and other facilities, and equipping libraries. Eleven professional development and planning workshops were recently held for 250 Iraqi university faculty members. The workshops, taught by leading agriculturalists around the world, provided faculty with training in agricultural statistics, experimental design, technology transfer, soil and water sciences, field crops, animal sciences, agricultural engineering and forest science. Six Iraqi graduate students participated in study abroad programs at an American University. The students improved their English language skills, visited research centers and conducted advanced research projects. The stu- dents also participated in a three week library skills training class which will allow them to teach others how to utilize the electronic resources being inte- grated into their universities at home. The program is also supporting the rehabilitation of greenhouses, libraries and computer facilities that are critical for conducting modern agricultural research. In addition, $205,500 in small grants has been awarded to 18 faculty from Iraqi agriculture and forestry colleges to conduct research in priority areas such as pesticide and fertilizer use. To foster community support of the mud school project, USAID’s basic education program has conducted 73 workshops in 18 governorates to dis- cuss the project with residents. The program is designed to replace primary and secondary rural schools made of sticks and mud with more stable con- crete structures. Over 6,800 community members attended these workshops to learn about the program and voice their suggestions. Surveys are underway to select one school from each of Iraq’s 84 sub-districts to serve as a model for other schools in the district. The project will equip the schools and train the teachers to make these model schools “centers of excellence”, demonstrating a level of educational quality that other district schools can realistically attain. Training will include in-service teacher and administrator training. The project will refurbish and equip schools with science, computer and language labora- tories as well as establish libraries within the model schools. In order to be selected, a model school must be located in a poor to middle class area and not private or religious. Women participate in mud school workshops. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 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 (TAL) • Assist the Executive Authority, the Presidency Council, and the Council of Ministers and its pre- siding Prime Minister to develop governing processes, rules of procedure, regulations and di- rectives necessary to enforce the laws, and to implement gov- ernment programs and policies • Support the process for adop- tion of an Iraqi constitution that promotes democratic principles and values through the provi- sion of technical assistance that includes, but is not limited to, providing comparative constitu- tional expertise; organizing con- stitutional conferences and con- ventions; facilitating public awareness, education, and par- ticipation; and assisting in the conduct of a national referen- dum or other ratifying mecha- nism. NATIONAL GOVERNANCE In the post-election period, USAID will continue to plan and implement a vari- ety of programs matching the needs of the evolving Iraqi democracy, under- taken in full partnership with Iraqi counterparts. In particular USAID is accel- erating activities in the national governance support area to ensure compre- hensive continued support to the Iraqi democratic transition. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAIDs partner providing support to the Transitional National Assembly (TNA) organized a debriefing for the organizers of the first TNA session to discuss “lessons learned” and to better prepare for next sessions. The meeting was attended by several TNA staff members, as well as repre- sentatives of the Common Press Information Center (CPIC), and International Press Center (IPC). Although most of the attendees noted that the session on March 16 was a success from an organizational standpoint, there were clear problems with the TNA’s ability to liaise with the Arabic media. In response to the above criticism, USAID’s partner–in collaboration with CPIC and the State Department’s Public Affairs Office–organized a series of practical trainings for the TNA Public Affairs Office on how to manage the me- dia prior to and during parliamentary sessions. The TNA Public Affairs Office staff members were provided basic training on essential preparatory steps to any Assembly meeting, including the timely issuance of media advisories, clear technical guidelines and the consistent application of Rules of Conduct for the media. Persistent gaps and weak areas will be addressed in following training sessions, along with hands-on and problem-solving techniques which will help build the overall capacity of Assembly’s Public Affairs staff. USAID’s partner providing support to the Transitional Government hosted its third Engendering the Constitution meeting in late March which was attended by 42 female members of the TNA, Governorate Councils and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). An Iraqi civil society team working on USAID’s project providing support to the Transitional Government returned to Iraq last week after complet- ing a two-week NGO management training retreat in Amman, Jordan. The training helped staff members gain a deeper understanding of the long- term aims of the civil society programs they manage. Following preliminary meetings in the North, 26 members of the Iraqi Election Information Network’s (EIN) Central region met on March 27 to participate in an all-day evaluation seminar on lessons learned from the past election monitoring experience. After a series of small group discus- sions on identified challenges, all participating EIN members reviewed and agreed to a series of recommendations to improve their efficiency and work environment in future elections. Principle recommendations included capacity building of partner NGOs, networking relationships with the Independent Elec- tion Commission of Iraq (IECI), and strengthening finance, communication, and database management skills. April 21, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE School in Wasit governorate rebuilt with support from USAID COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM The Community Action Program works in rural and urban communities to pro- mote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through partner NGOs and in consultation with local government representatives, USAID is creating representative, participatory community groups to identify critical priorities and implement programs to address those needs. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Several school buildings destroyed by Coalition Forces during the 2003 conflict are being rebuilt under the Assistance to Civilian Victims of the Con- flict initiative of the Com- munity Action Program (CAP). A boys’ school in Wasit gov- ernorate that was severely damaged by Coalition Forces was completely recon- structed by the CAP pro- gram. Prior to the war, the school served 350 boys from three communities in the vicinity. Now that the facility is rebuilt, it will soon be equipped with new blackboards and furniture, some of which will be provided by the community. Plans are underway to rebuild a school in a Ninawa’ village. On March 27, 2003 the school was completely destroyed by Coalition Forces, who sus- pected the presence of Iraqi army fighters. The school was empty at the time, and no one was hurt. The building acted as the primary and secondary school for four villages in the vicinity and served over 500 children. CAP will re-build the school and the Department of Education will supply the equip- ment, school books and teachers. A primary and a secondary school for girls—both in Ninawa’—were severely damaged by Coalition Forces during the war. Both schools were recon- structed under the CAP program. A boys’ school in Maysan governorate that was accidentally destroyed by Coalition bombs is under reconstruction by the CAP program. Work began in late November, and is now more than half complete. The scope of work cov- ers the rebuilding of six classrooms that were destroyed. The Community Action Program (CAP) will supply 206 wheelchairs and 50 sets of crutches for disabled people in a Salah Ad-Din governorate city where some of the fiercest street battles outside of Fallujah took place. Thirty civilian victims of Coalition fighting were identified in need of wheelchairs in addition to other persons with disabilities (PWDs) who had lost limbs or limb functions due to disease, previous wars, or accidents. An Iraqi NGO partner did a survey of all PWDs in the city, noting the type of disability and any special needs. April 21, 2005 • USAID has committed over $129 million to 2,844 projects while Iraqi communities have committed more than 25% of total funding. CAP has established over 700 community action groups (CAGs) in 17 governorates. Five U.S. NGOs each concentrate on a region: north, Baghdad, south- west central, southeast central, and south. • The northern program focuses on the conflict prone areas of the Sunni Triangle, Mosul, Kirkuk and the Iran-Iraq border. The partner NGO has completed 354 projects with over $18 million in project commitments including improving the Tikrit water supply, and devel- oping income generation projects in the north. • In the southwest central region, the partner NGO has established a strong presence in Hillah and the Shi’a holy cities Najaf and Karbala. Emphasis on critical infrastructure needs has improved community water/sanitation ser- vices and schools, and repaired vital social infrastructure. They have completed 296 projects and have over $21.3 million in project commitments. • Income generation is an important emphasis in the Baghdad pro- gram where 495 projects have been completed through CAGs. A marketplace for over 700 vendors is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste dumps. Total project commit- ments are $21.8 million. • In the southeast central region, 179 projects are complete with a total of $16.7 million in commit- ments. In the Shi’i heartland, these projects address needs resulting from decades of govern- ment neglect and focus on water, sewerage, community clean-up, and school rehabilitation. • The southern program has com- pleted 595 projects through 138 CAGs which average 40% women’s participation. Projects have focused on immediate com- munity needs such as sewage clean up, water treatment and distribution, public health, and girls’ access to education. Total commitments are $21.2 million. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded more than 3,323 small grants totaling more than $263.8 million for quick impact activities that support good gov- ernance, civil society, conflict management and mitigation, human rights and transitional justice. • Funded over 107 grants totaling $3.8 million that focus on women’s issues, including sup- porting the establishment of 24 women’s centers in Iraq. Reha- bilitated over 264 Iraqi national ministries, schools, clinics and other municipal buildings. Sup- porting 65 Iraqi groups in docu- menting human rights abuses of the Ba’athist regime and pro- moting peace, tolerance, and reconciliation. TRANSITION INITIATIVES USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the transition to a par- ticipatory, stable, and democratic country. OTI provides quick-dispensing, high-impact grants meeting critical needs—providing short-term employment, restoring basic government and community services, increasing access to in- formation and communication, and encouraging protection of human rights. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK A Directorate of Municipalities in northern Iraq renovated and procured equipment for ten municipal offices through an $83,000 Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) grant. The offices may now provide better public services such as street cleaning and maintenance, lighting, and water and sanitation. By increasing the efficiency and productivity of these local government offices, ITI is increasing support for the democratic transition in Iraq, improving the pub- lic’s perception of it’s local government, as well as improving stability and peace in a city prone to conflict. An Iraqi NGO which expands outreach services and activities for women in the community is working to promote equality among women and pro- tect their rights. An ITI grant enabled the NGO to renovate their facilities and acquire equipment and furniture. This support will help them to defend women’s rights with regard to violence against women, empowering women to participate in a democratic Iraq. A sports club in northern Iraq procured sports equipment and uniforms for a variety of sports activities under a grant from the ITI. There are cur- rently 25 – 30 sports teams throughout the area organized by this sports club that will benefit from the assistance and attract additional youth. By providing this assistance, ITI is encouraging participation in constructive social activities, team building and new skills development among youth. April 21, 2005 • 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. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 COMPLETED ACTIVITES Since the cessation of the 2003 conflict, USAID has completed their planned work at Umm Qasr Seaport, re- stored significant portions of Iraq’s telecommunications network, rebuilt three major bridges and restored the rail line connecting Umm Qasr with Basra city and points north. USAID also helped avert a humanitarian cri- sis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nations’ World Food Program. USAID advisors continue to assist with the management and distribution of food rations for all Iraqi citizens. SEAPORTS • The $45 million program to rehabilitate and improve management at Umm Qasr seaport was completed in June 2004. • Port reopened to commercial traffic on June 17, 2003; completed first passenger vessel test July 16. • Up to 50 ships offload at the port every month. • Completed dredging to open all 21 berths to deep-draft ships; maintenance dredging is ongoing. • Applied port tariffs on June 20, 2003. • Renovated the grain-receiving facility to process 600 MT of grain an hour. • Renovated the administration building, passenger terminal, customs hall, and electrical substations. TELECOMMUNICATIONS • Audited more than 1,200 km of the fiber optic backbone network and performed emergency repairs, reconnecting 20 cities and 70% of the population. • Reconstituted Baghdad area phone service by installing switches with 240,000 lines at 12 sites. • Installed and fully integrated 13 new switches with 14 existing switches. • Worked with the Ministry of Communications to reactivate more than 215,000 subscriber lines. • Installed a satellite gateway system at Baghdad’s largest telecom exchange and restored international service. • Trained telecom engineers and technicians in the operation and maintenance of the satellite gateway system and the new switches. BRIDGES AND ROADS • Rebuilt three major bridges—Khazir, Tikrit and Al Mat bridges—critical for the movement of people and commercial products throughout the country. • Rebuilt a substantial portion of the Iraqi Republican Railway line connecting Basrah with the port of Umm Qasr includ- ing physical track construction, installing culverts, and repairing gatehouses. The remainder of the work has been handed over to the Ministry of Transportation. This work facilitates the shipment of bulk cargo from the port to Bagh- dad and throughout the country. FOOD SECURITY • Worked directly with the World Food Program (WFP) and Coalition Forces to re-establish the Public Distribution Sys- tem in less than 30 days, avoiding a humanitarian food crisis and providing food security throughout the country. • With Iraqi food distributors, Food for Peace, the WFP, and Coalition Forces maintained deliveries from June through December 2003 in all 18 governorates. • Played a key role in an agreement between the WFP, CPA, and the MoT that provided the WFP with the resources and authority to continue to support the PDS through June 2004. • In partnership with the United States Embassy in Iraq, providing on-going support to the Public Distribution System Working Group to assist the Ministry of Trade with improving PDS management. April 21, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 FINANCIAL SUMMARY April 21, 2005 FY 2003-2005* Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation Reconstruction USAID/ANE Subtotal: $3,869,775,800 Abt Associates Health Countrywide $23,031,886 AFCAP Logistics Countrywide $91,500,000 Army Corps of Engineers Architecture and Engineering Services Countrywide $30,842,037 BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885 BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000 Louis Berger Group Vocational Education Countrywide $75,016,115 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 $168,820,000 DAI Marshlands Dhi Qar Al Basr Maysan $4,000,000 DAI Agriculture Countrywide $101,352,912 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 CEPPS Transitional Government Countrywide $20,700,000 CEPPS Voter Education, Domestic Observation and Con- flict Resolution Countrywide $47,175,000 CEPPS Elections Administration Support Countrywide $40,000,000 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10 FINANCIAL SUMMARY April 21, 2005 FY 2003-2005 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation VFH Elections Support Countrywide $1,000,000 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 Logenix Health North/Central $98,006 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 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 Univer- sity 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/OFDA...................................................................................Subtotal: $164,653,748 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $8,034,781 AirServ Logistics Countrywide $5,309,876 ARC Capacity Building Al Basrah $537,746 CARE IDP Assistance, Quick-impact projects, Water and Sanita- tion, Health, Emergency Relief Commodities Countrywide $9,043,148 The Cuny Center Research Studies Countrywide $40,260 GOAL Coordination, Nutrition Al Muthanna $1,507,900 InterAction Coordination Kuwait City $92,860 IDA Health Countrywide $1,318,437 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11 FINANCIAL SUMMARY April 21, 2005 FY 2003-2005 Implementing Partner Sector Regions Obligation IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Capacity Building Countrywide $28,952,898 IOM IDP Assistance Countrywide $16,392,470 IRC IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Countrywide $8,000,411 IRD IDP Assistance, Health, Water and Sanitation Northern Iraq $15,000,000 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 $22,199,786 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 , 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 PL 480 - 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: $372,184,521 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,227,056 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $344,500,376 Internews Media Countrywide $160,359 Radio SAWA Media Countrywide $400,000 NDI/IRI National Governance Countrywide $650,000 IFES National Governance Countrywide $1,042,315 ICNL Civil Society Countrywide $39,238 Spa War** Inter-Ministry Communications Countrywide $8,703,001 TOTAL USAID ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ FROM 2003-2005............................................................$4,832,185,069 * 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