RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE
May 26, 2005
This water pump was supplied by community members in Diyala governorate to connect them to the water network.
Contents:
Electricity ...........................................................2
Water and Sanitation.........................................3
Economic Governance ......................................4
Agriculture.........................................................5
National Governance......................................... 6
Community Action Program ........................... 7
Transition Initiatives ....................................... 8
Education ....................................................... 9
Health............................................................. 10
Completed Activities....................................... 11
Financial Summary ........................................ 12
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
ELECTRICITY
USAID’s goals include the emergency repair or rehabilitation of power genera-
tion facilities and electrical grids. Teams of engineers from the Ministry of
Electricity, USAID and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working
since May 2003 to restore the capacity of Iraq’s power system.
HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
Work is nearing comple-
tion on a project that will
allow Baghdad Interna-
tional Airport (BIAP) to
achieve 100 percent elec-
trical self-sufficiency
which will free up more
power for the national
grid. The BIAP electrical
system has a generation
output design range of 18
to 22.3 MW and consists of
three 33kV power trans-
formers, 11kV and 400V
distribution systems, five diesel generators, and numerous smaller emergency
generators. The project includes the refurbishment of the distribution system
to facilitate the management and control of generation and load and the addi-
tion or replacement of 17 generators. The facilities are expected to be turned
over to the airport authorities by June 2005.
Recent work includes the installation of grounding resistors and controllers for
the generators and the repair of fuel pumps’ seals.
USAID’s work at BIAP began in May 2003. Initial work focused on emergency
repairs, such as the installation of a 5MW generator, to allow the immediate
re-opening of the airport by July 2003. USAID also repaired the airport termi-
nal and administration offices, installed communication systems, rehabilitated
customs offices, and repaired passenger support facilities.
May 26, 2005
• By October, 2003, rehabilitated
electric power capacity to pro-
duce peak capacity greater
than the pre-war level of 4,400
MW. Production reached
5,365 MW on August 18, 2004.
• Since achieving record power
production in Summer ‘04, the
Ministry of Electricity—with as-
sistance from USAID—has be-
gun the standard Fall mainte-
nance process which will neces-
sarily reduce the amount of
power available for consump-
tion. USAID worked with the
MOE to conduct last Fall’s
maintenance program.
• Repairing thermal units, replac-
ing turbines, rehabilitating the
power distribution network, and
installing and restoring genera-
tors.
• USAID has added 685 MW of
capacity through maintenance
and rehabilitation work, and also
repaired a 400 KV transmission
line.
• USAID and the Ministry of Elec-
tricity are working with partners
to place an additional 792 MW
in the national grid by Decem-
ber 2005 through maintenance,
rehabilitation, and new genera-
tion projects.
• USAID completed a project to
convert two units that produce
80 MW each to operate on
crude/heavy fuel oil instead of
diesel which is in short supply.
• USAID initiated a project to re-
habilitate 13 existing substa-
tions and construct 24 new sub-
stations in Baghdad. These 37
substations will improve the
distribution and reliability of
electricity for more than two
million Baghdad resi-
dents. USAID recently handed
over work on 12 of these sub-
stations to the Ministry of Elec-
tricity.
Laying power cables between generators.
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2

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 is continuing on a project to
repair the sewage collection system
in Kadhamiya, a northern suburb of
Baghdad with about 1.5 million peo-
ple. Security issues and line collapses
have recently caused some delays, but
work is continuing at all sites and the
scope of work was recently revised to
address the line collapses and refur-
bish vertical pumps.
Kadhamiya neighborhoods frequently
Improvements to the sewage collection
endure flooding of raw sewage which
system in northern Baghdad will serve
remains as pools in streets and homes.
1.5 million people.
These overflows occur because of inadequate or blocked sewer lines, and
because inoperable pump stations cannot convey sewage from homes and
mains to sewage treatment plants. Kadhamiya’s blocked, deteriorating and
collapsed sewer lines require extensive repair or replacement. Public health
risks from water-borne diseases (typhoid, cholera, malaria) are increased by
pools of exposed raw sewage in neighborhoods.
The scope of this project is to clean, repair, replace, and expand sewer lines
and equipment of Kadhamiya’s sewage collection system as necessary to im-
prove its performance. The Scope of Work will be completed in three phases,
roughly corresponding to the three sections of Kadhamiya. Section 1A, which
consists of clearing and repairing sewer lines in the western section, is sub-
stantially complete. Section 1B consists of similar work in the eastern section.
Vertical pump lift station rehabilitation (including civil, mechanical, electrical,
and general building repairs) continues at eight locations as part of the 1B
sub-project. Upon completion, Kadhamiya’s sewage collection system will lift
and convey sewage flows to Kerkh Wastewater Treatment Plant, eliminating
flooding and pooling of raw sewage.
Over 4,000 houses have been connected to Baghdad’s revitalized main
water system. Contractors have installed 47 kilometers of new pipeline to
date, providing approximately 40,000 people with safe drinking water.
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 planning was non-existent and the
maintenance negligent. The system lost about 60 percent of its water due to
leaks, illegal connections, and un-metered water uses. Failing water mains in
densely-populated districts, such as Sadr City, caused low water pressure and
sustained pools of contaminated water which resulted in frequent outbreaks of
waterborne diseases. USAID’s Baghdad Water Distributions Mains project
involves modeling the distribution system and repairing, replacing and install-
ing new water pipes in Sadr City.
May 26, 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 ● 3

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) recently ap-
proved nine new small business grants; an additional 56 grant applica-
tions are now in process. Grants were provided to a broad variety of small
businesses, including clinics, cafes, a carpentry shop, a tile venture, a ceram-
ics shop, and an auto services business. Four training sessions in business
skills and business development were provided to a total of 81 Iraqis, includ-
ing 55 who were grantees under the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund.
VEGA is working to expand its services into areas of Iraq that have been con-
sidered less secure, or non-permissive.
Recently, 77 Iraqi loan officers from non-bank financial institutions took
part in training provided by USAID’s Private Sector Development II initia-
tive to learn the basics of small-business lending, cash flow analysis,
and business loan analysis. In addition, they received training regarding the
importance of starting with smaller loans in order to build a credit history with
each borrower as well as the concept of granting loans in which the borrower
has at least as much or more capital invested in the business than the lender,
so that it is not easy for the borrower to “walk away” from the loan. Non-bank
financial institutions in Iraq are already providing business loans to small gro-
cery and retail stores, hairdressers, carpenters, ironsmiths, taxi drivers, small
manufacturers and farmers. The loans, which usually range from $250 to
$25,000, are being used to expand businesses and create jobs.
Advisors from USAID’s Iraq Economic Governance II (IEG II) program
completed a first draft of a Credit Procedures Manual and a Credit Policy
Manual, both of which will be translated and shared with Iraq’s state-owned
banks. IEG II advisors have been providing sustained technical assistance to
the banks on credit and risk analysis. Advisors recently reviewed a new dol-
lar-denominated loan application processed by one of the state-owned banks
and observed that credit assessments had improved. Twelve new dollar
loans have been approved, totaling $240,000, including three loans to clients
that had repaid previous loans.
Iraq’s state-owned banks are strengthening their ability to extend credit
and manage risk, with support from IEG II. IEG II advisors recently com-
pleted a first draft of a Credit Procedures Manual and a Credit Policy Manual,
both of which will be translated and shared with the state-owned banks. IEG
II advisors have been providing sustained technical assistance to the banks
on credit and risk analysis. Advisors recently reviewed a new dollar-
denominated loan application processed by one of the state-owned banks and
observed that credit assessments had been improved since the beginning of
technical assistance to the banks, with more client financial information in-
cluded and assessed. Twelve new dollar loans have been approved, totaling
$240,000, including three loans to clients that had repaid previous loans.
May 26, 2005
• 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 ● 4

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
mid-April, 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.
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 Reconstruc-
tion and Development for Iraq program recently partnered with an Iraqi
farmers’ cooperative that was in need of assistance to improve the pro-
vision of services to its members. USAID approved a grant to renovate the
cooperative’s training hall; work will begin shortly.
As Iraqis continue to rebuild their society, the success of their efforts depends
on local entities. Community-based organizations are important supplements
to official government institutions and a key component of civil society.
The need for these organizations is particularly strong in the agricultural sec-
tor. In Iraq, with its thousands of small, often remote villages throughout the
countryside, community organizations and NGOs supplement government ex-
tension services. These organizations cooperate with government to provide
informational materials, training, and other services to farmers.
The cooperative that recently partnered with MOA/USAID to renovate their
training hall has significant previous experience providing services to local
farmers. The organization was established in April 1999 by a group of agricul-
tural engineers and farmers with the shared goal of protecting farmers’ rights
and developing agriculture. It seeks to achieve this objective by supporting
farmers’ solutions to their problems, the introduction of new farming methods,
facilitating new training, and encouraging scientific analysis.
Since its founding, the cooperative has rapidly grown in size. Today it in-
cludes more than 140 members and attracts scores of other visitors who are
interested in the group’s work. By expanding the training hall, MOA/ARDI will
help the cooperative advance its mission. More training sessions can be held
and larger field days and seminars can be conducted. With its increased ca-
pacity, the new agricultural hall will touch the lives of more than 4,000 Iraqis.
In addition to providing funds for the construction of the training hall, MOA/
USAID will also work with the cooperative to help them use their facility as ef-
fectively as possible. MOA/USAID’s organizational development specialist
has crafted a new association manual that is designed for small, community
organizations in Iraq.
Through several training and planning workshops, MOA/USAID specialists will
help the key figures in the cooperative identify clear strategic goals and deter-
mine the necessary steps to reach their objectives. Work with this coopera-
tive is a pilot program, and the lessons learned from the project will direct fu-
ture partnerships. By continuing to support local organizations such as the
farmers’ cooperative on an individual basis, MOA/USAID are working to cre-
ate a network of local farmers throughout the country that will be a supple-
ment to the government’s capacity building and extension services. These
efforts will be an important component of MOA/USAID efforts to re-establish
the capacity of the agricultural sector in Iraq.
May 26, 2005
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
USAID’s partner providing support to the Iraqi National Assembly (INA)
held a second round of training sessions on Legislative Drafting for De-
mocratic Social Change in early May for 12 INA senior staff members.
The course discussed legislative theory and methodology and its application
to drafting research reports and bills focusing on security, human rights and
court administration. The first round of training was conducted in late March
for the group of staff members who have a background and previous training
in legal affairs. It is anticipated that this training group will be considered to
support the drafting process.
The INA’s Public Affairs team conducted further consultancy work with
one of USAID’s partners, the State University of New York’s Center for
International Development (SUNY/CID) on the establishment of pool re-
porting for the INA, in order to reduce the number of media personnel to a
manageable size. A pool would permit different media companies to take
turns covering and freely sharing the media feed to all other media, instead of
having an unnecessary and cumbersome overlap of media personnel and
equipment. In order to create such a pool, the Public Affairs staff will be re-
quired to carefully coordinate among all media representatives who will be
benefiting from such a setup.
USAID’s Iraq Civil Society and Media Support Program (ICSP) recently
organized workshops for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on a host
of Human Rights related issues at all four of the program’s regional Civil
Society Resources Centers (CSRC). A Human Rights training manual was
also created and shared with CSRC staff by an external ICSP consultant who
supervised the training and reported on staff competencies in planning and
implementing Human Rights events. In addition, a variety of citizens’ forums
were held focusing on incorporating Human Rights into the constitution.
USAID held another training session recently as part of its ongoing
“Engendering the Constitution” project for 42 women including INA rep-
resentatives, five members of the Baghdad City Council and 35 NGO
staff. The trainings focused on improving the women’s abilities to develop ad-
vocacy campaigns including defining goals and messaging, developing a
power map of decision-makers (of allies, undecided individuals and oppo-
nents) and different approaches in media outreach. Participants formed
“break-out” groups to work on draft advocacy campaign strategies, related to
the constitutional process. The group also considered various ways of distrib-
uting the soon-to-be published Popular Guide to Women and the Constitution.
Approximately 70 CSO training activities were held in March and April by
the ICSP’s Baghdad CSRC on women’s advocacy, civic education, anticor-
ruption or human rights. Trainees came from Baghdad, Al Anbar, Salah Ad
Din and Diyala’ governorates.
May 26, 2005
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TO DATE
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
The Community Action Program works in rural and urban communities to pro-
mote democracy and prevent and mitigate conflict. Working directly through
partner NGOs and in consultation with local government representatives,
USAID is creating representative, participatory community groups to identify
critical priorities and implement programs to address those needs.
HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
A Baghdad community worked with the Community Action Program
(CAP) to complete the construction of an important market in the capital
city. The project renovated an existing market and constructed new facilities
after the removal of damaged buildings and trash on an adjacent lot. The
new market consists of 736 shops offering various services to local residents
and will benefit 30,000 people. The municipality contributed by donating the
land for the market, which has an estimated value of $40,000.
The work created a new public space for the residents of the community and
increased opportunities for income generation. The renovation provided cen-
tral management and medical facilities and replaced existing make-shift ven-
dor stalls with more safe and efficient stalls. The facilities are also further
back from the adjacent four-lane road, thereby improving traffic. Finally, build-
ing over an unused, trash-filled lot contributed to the improvement of the
neighborhood.
USAID’s CAP partner working in Maysan Governorate will construct an
educational outreach center in the governorate with the cooperation of
several Community Action Groups from the surrounding area and local
authorities. The center will contain four large halls, a computer and internet
center, an English language lab, and a library. To ensure its accessibility for
People with Disabilities, the Iraqi Red Crescent will assist in rehabilitating the
sidewalk surrounding the building. The estimated budget of the project is
$127,000 and the number of direct beneficiaries is 16,000 men and 4,600
women.
The work brought together Community Action Groups from eight neighbor-
hoods in the vicinity. After the educational outreach center is completed, the
Community Action cluster group will organize a drawing and poetry writing
activity for the students of seven intermediate and secondary schools in the
area. The Red Crescent Society also plans to hold lectures on landmines and
hygiene in the center.
The CAP partner working in Diyala Governorate is planning to supply
3500 meters of pipes to a city of about 20,000 people on the eastern
plains of Iraq, where residents are trying to recover from the devastation
caused by the Iran/Iraq war. The entire city has had little to no water. The wa-
ter treatment pumps have been renewed, but the water network was dam-
aged, and is too small to cover the whole city. CAP will supply the pipes and
connect them to the water network while the Iraqi Community Action Groups
working in the city will supply new water pumps. Soon, all of the people of
the city and neighboring town will have fresh water. The city was emptied for
the full eight years of the Iran/Iraq war. All government offices were dam-
aged, and the war left no standing health facilities, schools, or electricity. Fol-
lowing the end of the war, people returned to the ethnically mixed city, which
is made up of 30 percent Kurds, 60 percent Arabs, and 10 percent Turkmen.
May 26, 2005
• USAID has committed over $131
million to 3,120 projects while
Iraqi communities have committed
more than 25% of total funding.
CAP has established over 600
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 433 projects
with over $29 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 322 projects and
have over $21.5 million in project
commitments.
• Income generation is an important
emphasis in the Baghdad pro-
gram where 522 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 $22.3 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 625 projects with total com-
mitments of $21.9 million. Pro-
jects have focused on immediate
community needs such as sew-
age clean up, water treatment and
distribution, public health, and
girls’ access to education.
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO
DATE
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 governing council in southern Iraq repaired, refilled and cleaned city
roads with the support of a series of Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) grants.
The work provided short-term employment opportunities to 493 unskilled, un-
employed local laborers who, over the past two months, cleared away trash,
filled in potholes, and re-graded roads. Road repair has been a top priority for
this governorate and the improvements provided through the ITI grants have
given the local government the necessary time to build up their resources and
maintain the road themselves. Enabling the local government to provide this
key public service strengthens public confidence in their local government.
A city council in southern Iraq provided temporary employment to 896
local residents over 60 days to clean up trash and debris from a number
of neighborhoods through a series of ITI grants. By providing labor and
equipment for this cleanup, ITI has improved living conditions in the area, miti-
gating tensions that arise from unemployment.
May 26, 2005
• Awarded more than 3,531 small
grants totaling more than
$273.9 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.
• 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

EDUCATION
May 26, 2005
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TO DATE
• 2,457 schools have been rehabili-
tated through direct contracting
and grants to communities.
• Hundreds of thousands of desks,
chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and
kits for primary and secondary
schools have been distributed
countrywide.
• Nearly 33,000 secondary school
teachers and administrators, in-
cluding 860 master trainers, have
been trained nationwide. Over the
next year, up to 100,000 addi-
tional teachers will receive in-
service training.
• Eighty-four primary and secon-
dary schools (four in each gover-
norate) are being established to
serve as “centers of excellence.”
Teachers will receive six weeks of
training, and schools will be
equipped with computer and sci-
ence laboratories.
• More than 550 out-of-school
youth completed a pilot acceler-
ated learning program. An ex-
panded program, targeting 50,000
out-of-school youth , will be imple-
mented during the 2005–06
school year.
• Satellite Internet access and com-
puters installed at the Ministry of
Education and in all 21 Director-
ates of Education. To improve
resource management, an Educa-
tion Management Information
System is being developed.
• More than 8.7 million math and
science textbooks have been
edited, printed, and distributed
throughout Iraq.
• Partnerships have been estab-
lished between five American and
ten Iraqi universities. Through
these partnerships, more than
1,400 Iraqi faculty and students
have participated in workshops,
trainings, 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
The Iraqi Ministry of Education (MoE)
is working with USAID and a Jorda-
nian firm to develop an Early Child-
hood Learning television program. A
team of 14 Iraqis and 24 Jordanians
are currently working in Amman on pro-
duction and guidelines for the programs
for preschool children. To ensure that
this type of television programming
continues in Iraq, four representatives
from the MoE are working together with
the production and design teams to
gain skills in children’s television production.
Thirteen important themes have been identified for the television programs
which will help pre-school age children develop learning and comprehension
skills. So far, narration, music and storyboards have been completed for three
of the themes. The producers included Iraqi elements in the program in terms
of character design, background design, and narration. In the programs,
Iraqis narrate classic Arabic stories and the music is preformed by a well
known Iraqi musician. The production team is also developing handouts and
booklets to be used as companions to the shows allowing parents and chil-
dren to continue learning at home.
Two new greenhouses were received at universities in Mosul and Dohuk
in May. The greenhouses support teaching and research, especially for Mas-
ters and Ph.D. programs, at the two universities’ colleges of agriculture. Their
arrival is a step toward revitalizing agricultural education in Iraq. The pur-
chase of the greenhouses was supported by the agricultural component of
USAID’s Higher Education and Development (HEAD) program. Over 40% of
the Iraqi workforce is employed in the agriculture sector. Improved agricul-
tural understanding and techniques will improve both job security and food
security in Iraq.
The installation of advanced laboratories within Iraqi universities contin-
ues to progress. Modern equipment and chemicals have been shipped, and
laboratory spaces renovated. Labs for animal science, cell biology, veterinary
medicine, and soil sciences will be installed and ready to use in the coming
months. This project, led by the University of Oklahoma, is part of USAID’s
Higher Education and Development program (HEAD) program.
In late April, an Iraqi University representative attended an environ-
mental conference at the United Nations in New York. The conference
discussed The Eden Project, action plans for water resource management in
Iraq. In discussions with other attendees, the Iraqi representative stressed the
fundamental role that Iraqi university research centers play in shaping water
policy for Iraq.
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9

HEALTH
May 26, 2005
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TO DATE
• Vaccinated over 3 million chil-
dren under five and 700,000
pregnant women with vaccina-
tion campaigns that included
monthly immunization days.
• Provided supplementary doses
of vitamin A for more than
600,000 children under two
and 1.5 million lactating moth-
ers.
• Provided iron folate supple-
ments for over 1.6 million
women of childbearing age.
• Screened more than 1.3 million
children under five for malnutri-
tion.
• Distributed high protein bis-
cuits to more than 450,000
children and 200,000 pregnant
and nursing mothers.
• Provided potable water for
400,000 persons each day in
Basrah city and 170,000 per-
sons in Kirkuk and Mosul.
• Provided skills training for
2,500 primary health care pro-
viders and 700 physicians.
• Trained 2,000 health educa-
tors, teachers, religious lead-
ers and youth to mobilize com-
munities on hygiene, diarrhea,
breastfeeding, nutrition and
immunization issues.
• Disseminated information on
essential health messages to
families around the country.
• Renovated 110 primary health
care centers.
• Provided vaccines and cold
chain equipment to selected
health centers.
• Developed a national plan for
the fortification of wheat flour
with iron and folic acid.
USAID is supporting the Iraqi Ministry of Health, to strengthen essential health
services, improve the capacity of health personnel, and respond to the spe-
cific health needs of vulnerable populations such as women and children.
HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
One million sachets of Oral Rehydration Salts are being delivered by
UNICEF to the Ministry of Health in May as contingency stocks for treat-
ment during the diarrhea/cholera season. Present circumstances suggest
the possibility of higher incidences of diarrheal diseases this year.
Diarrhea is a major killer of children in Iraq causing over around 25% of child
deaths. Curing and preventing the disease is a top priority, which entails distri-
bution of medications, revitalizing the deteriorated sewage system and provid-
ing safe drinking water.
USAID, in cooperation with WHO and UNICEF, is supporting the Ministry
of Health’s campaign to vaccinate children aged 9 months to five years
against measles, mumps and rubella. In the first few days of the campaign,
approximately 36% of the target population of children received vaccinations.
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10

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.
May 26, 2005
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 11

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
May 26, 2005
FY 2003-2005*
Implementing
Partner
Sector Regions Obligation
Reconstruction
USAID/ANE Subtotal: $4,054,735,796
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 $30,842,037
BearingPoint Economic Governance Countrywide $79,583,885
BearingPoint Economic Governance II Countrywide $103,500,000
Bechtel Airports, buildings, emergency communications,
power, railroads, roads and bridges, Umm Qasr
seaport, water and sanitation
Countrywide $1,029,833,259
Bechtel Infrastructure II: Airports, buildings, emergency
communications, power, railroads, roads and
bridges, Umm Qasr seaport, water and sanita-
tion, Basra Hospital
Countrywide $1,386,809,782
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
CHF Reconstruction Support Countrywide $2,961,228
Community Action
Program
Development in impoverished communities Countrywide $258,820,000
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 $52,171,260
Logenix Health North/Central $105,006
Louis Berger Vocational Education Countrywide $75,016,115
Louis Berger Private Sector Development II Countrywide $60,000,000
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 12

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
May 26, 2005
FY 2003-2004
Implementing
Partner
Sector Regions Obligation
MSI Monitoring and Evaluation Countrywide $5,284,781
RTI Local Governance Countrywide $241,910,757
RTI Local Governance II Countrywide $70,000,000
RTI Health Training Countrywide 15,000,000
SkyLink Airport Management Baghdad,
Basrah, Mosul
$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 $1,273,894
World Bank Trust Fund Contribution Countrywide $5,000,000
Yankee Group Telecoms Planning Countrywide $58,150
Emergency Relief
USAID/DCHA/OFDA...................................................................................Subtotal: $166,653,748
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 ● 13

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
May 26, 2005
FY 2003-2004
Implementing
Partner
Sector Regions Obligation
IMC Health, IDP Assistance, Food Security, Nutrition, Water and
Sanitation, Capacity Building
Countrywide $30,952,898
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 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: $372,322,670
Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,365,205
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............................................................$5,019,283,214
* 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 ● 14