RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE December 16, 2005 Cleaning the canals of weeds and silt will improve the flow of water and drainage to reduce salinity in agricultural areas. USAID has recently completed a grant to clean canals in the Muthanna Governorate, restoring much of the local irrigation infrastructure. Contents: Success Story ...................................................2 Economic Growth ..............................................3 Agriculture .........................................................4 National Governance......................................... 5 Education .......................................................... 6 Health................................................................ 7 Transition Initiatives .......................................... 8 Disaster Assistance........................................... 9 Completed Programs ........................................ 10 Financial Summary ........................................... 11 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, UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WWW.USAID.GOV SUCCESS STORY December 16, 2005 USAID Strengthens the Central Bank of Iraq with Two New Milestone Achievements. As part of the USAID-Funded Economic Governance II Project, designed to help in the economic reconstruc- tion and policy reform in Iraq, technical assistance is being provided to assist capacity building and institu- tional strengthening at the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). Historically, the CBI has found it difficult to implement monetary policy because it has not had the necessary instruments at its disposal. The USAID-Funded Economic Governance II Project’s technical assistance has helped amend reserve re- quirement regulations, a percentage of a bank’s assets that must be maintained as liquid assets. This allows the CBI to influence the money supply by restricting the funds available for lending purposes; consequently, this will enhance the CBI’s ability to conduct sound monetary policy and achieve price stability. The second part of the changes made to the CBI’s new reserve requirement regulations is the creation of new enforcement guidelines. These guidelines include the imposition of fines on banks not meeting the reserve requirement, sending an important signal to the financial community that the CBI is assuming its role as regu- lator and supervisor. In a critical milestone for Iraqi debt renegotiation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently accepted Iraq’s Monetary Survey, which was developed through the USAID Project. It is the first Monetary Survey ever to be published by the CBI. To date, this achievement represents the only Structural Indicative Benchmark of the Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance (EPCA) that has been successfully attained. USAID has now devel- oped the capacity of the CBI to produce its own Monetary Survey on a monthly basis. This an outstanding accomplishment for the CBI which started compiling the survey just six months ago. The CBI needs accurate reporting to create beneficial monetary decisions. The Monetary Survey, by provid- ing an extremely detailed picture of the financial system, is an important tool that the CBI will use to develop and strengthen its implementation and formulation of monetary policy. The IMF places considerable impor- tance on the Survey because it is consistent with internationally accepted standards for monetary and finan- cial statistics and it provides the framework for negotiations relating to the 2006 Stand-By-Arrangement (SBA) program with the Iraqi Government. The process of amending the system of accounts to conform to Interna- tional Accounting Standards was initiated under this project. The third part of the USAID-Funded Economic Governance II Project included the successful training of the CBI staff. In an effort to promote transparency, presentations were also delivered to commercial banks and the Ministry of Finance. Perhaps just as importantly, the Monetary Survey represents a significant level of in- creased transparency in the banking system both domestically and internationally. The latest version of the Survey is published on the CBI’s official website (www.cbiraq.org/cbs7.htm). This increased level of transpar- ency will potentially pave the way for further donor financing and technical assistance to the Government of Iraq. THE ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE II PROGRAM The Economic Governance II program continues reforms in tax, fiscal, legal, institutional, and regulatory frameworks. In coor- dination with the Ministry of Finance, USAID helps policy makers formulate and implement policy decisions based on interna- tional best practices. Capacity building efforts at the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) are helping expand the ability of the CBI to de- velop and monitor an effective monetary policy, strengthen its supervisory role, and modernize banking operations. At the same time, assistance is being provided to the electricity and communications industries, as well as other relevant government ministries. USAID technical assistance also supports the development of a reliable social safety net, ensuring assistance to displaced workers and the provision of sustainable pension benefits. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 2 December 16, 2005 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE ECONOMIC GROWTH 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 private sector trade, commerce, and investment throughout Iraq. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Business leaders from Ramadi and Falluja meet with USAID to plan eco- nomic development. Economic development experts from USAID’s Izdihar project recently met in Baghdad with 14 key economic decision-makers from Fallujah and Ramadi to discuss a private sector development strategy to boost economic activity and create sustainable jobs in Anbar Governorate. At the meeting, representatives agreed to create the Committee for Regional Economic Development of Anbar (CREDA), a group that will bring together people from throughout the region to develop a strategy to strengthen the pri- vate sector and create jobs. Ideas discussed included technical training, mi- crofinance initiatives, expanding credit to local businesses, and the private provision of public services located in the governorate. Izdihar will provide technical assistance and support specific projects, proposed by the commit- tee, that will work quickly to create new jobs for residents in the area. The Anbar Governorate is an important economic area, the location for many farms, factories and natural resources, such as phosphates. Featuring the major highway linking Baghdad with Jordan and Syria, Anbar is the country’s main economic transportation route. Twenty-four Iraqi government officials recently participated in a training program at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The one-week training pro- gram, organized and fund- ed by USAID’s Izdihar pro- ject, taught Iraqi represen- tatives about international trade issues and the WTO accession process. The Government of Iraq recent- ly submitted its Memoran- dum on the Foreign Trade Regime to begin the ac- cession process and is preparing to answer ques- tions from WTO member countries about the docu- ment. Accession into the WTO would increase Iraq’s for- eign direct investment and lay the foundation for a globalized economy. Al- though actual accession may take years, to be eligible for membership Iraq will implement economic reforms that promote economic freedom and growth. • 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 opportu- nities for Iraqi businesses and en- trepreneurs through business cen- ters. • Worked with the Ministry of Fi- nance to introduce the new Iraqi dinar. • Created more than 77,000 public works jobs through the National Employment Program. • Provided technical assistance and capacity building to three private sector banks to develop their own lending programs. • Trained over 700 Iraqis in Interna- tional Accounting Practices. • Assisted in management of $21 million micro-credit program. Pro- vided over 40,000 hours of microfi- nance 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 Federal Reserve Bank of New York. • Evaluated and updated commercial laws on private sector and foreign investment. • Assisted in developing the 5 per- cent reconstruction levy on imports; built capacity of customs officials to implement levy. • Developed a government-wide IT strategy to automate planning, budgeting and reporting processes across ministries. Members of the Iraqi WTO National Committee receive training on WTO issues and the accession process at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 3 December 16, 2005 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE 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 development ini- tiatives, and rehabilitate the natural resource base. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK Grant to clean canals in Muthanna Governorate complete. USAID’s Agri- cultural Reconstruction and Development in Iraq (ARDI) project recently com- pleted three grants to clean a network of irrigation canals and drains in Muthanna governorate. These tertiary level canals and drains, which total 109.5 kilometers, serve farmers’ fields in 35 villages. The effort should im- prove farmers’ productivity and encourage more of them to stay on their land. The grant provided funding to hire 432 farmers as temporary laborers to clean the canals and drains. The farmers were trained in cleaning techniques and were provided with hand tools and other cleaning equipment including shov- els, hoes, axes, gloves, boots and carts. The farmers, who are required by Iraqi law to maintain the tertiary and branch canals that bring water to their fields, will use the equipment and the training received under this grant to maintain the cleaned canals and drains and perform future cleanings. The 109.5 km of cleaned canals and drains will servuce 4,875 hectares of land farmed by 2,000 families. ARDI is planning to implement more grants to rehabilitate canal infrastructure and improve irrigation and drainage in other parts of southern Iraq. Grant to expand ARDI’s Animal and Zoonetic Disease Awareness pro- gram approved. The grant will expand the successful program to villages in Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah. The program will fund workshops to teach proper livestock breeding and handling techniques as a means to lower infection and transmission rates of zoonetic diseases, which are diseases that can be trans- mitted from animals to humans. Animal breeding is an important economic activity in Iraq, particularly in rural areas where households depend on small-scale breeding of livestock and poultry as a source of food and income. However, these animal breeders of- ten lack adequate information about proper animal health and management techniques. The Animal Health and Zoonetic Disease Awareness program will increase knowledge of proper breeding techniques, improving animal and hu- man health and lead to better quantity and quality of livestock production. ARDI successfully completed a similar Animal Health and Zoonetic Disease Awareness program in October 2005. A total of 4,806 women and 18 men at- tended the training workshops, which were held in 240 villages. The new grant will provide funding for workshops in 240 additional villages in Dahuk and 240 villages in Sulaymaniyah. The workshops will be led by teams comprised of a veterinarian and an animal production specialist. Twelve of these two-member teams will be trained to deliver the workshops; the week-long Training of Trainers (ToT) course will include a refresher on animal health and common zoonetic diseases, and will also address participatory methods of workshop delivery, including the use of instructional aids such as posters. High Value Crops Improved Date Palm Output: Established date palm nurseries in 13 governorates that will expand Iraqi palm tree population by 410,000 new trees per year. Enhanced Farmer Output: Pro- vided parts to repair more than 6,300 tractors for Iraqi farmers through international agreements with U.S. farm machinery industry. Provided Farm Machinery Train- ing & Tools: Trained 28 mechan- ics in farm machinery repair and supplied tools to help establish private repair businesses. Increased Olive Tree Population: 18,000 olive trees have been planted in 30 demonstration plots throughout the country. Rehabilitated Veterinary Clinics: 51 veterinary clinics have been rehabilitated, serving more than 130,000 farmer families. Crop Production Seed Improvement: Increased distribution of wheat seed cleaners to 169 for nine NGOs in 18 gover- norates. Increased Training: 175 farmers trained in wheat seed cleaning and treating. Soil & Water Management Strategy Development: Initiated six-ministry effort to develop the Iraq water and land use strategy. Grant Provision - Irrigation: Pro- vided small-scale grants that in- creased canal and water infrastruc- ture improvements on 130,022 hectares of land serving 445,000 Iraqis. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 4 December 16, 2005 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES • Strengthen the capacity of the leg- islative branch of the Iraqi interim and transitional governments and its staff during the interim and tran- sition period to include lawmaking, representation, executive over- sight, and other responsibilities as provided by the Transitional Admin- istrative Law. • Assist the Executive Authority, the Presidency Council, and the Coun- cil of Ministers and its presiding Prime Minister to develop govern- ing processes, rules of procedure, regulations and directives neces- sary to enforce the laws, and to implement government programs and policies. • Support the process for adopting an Iraqi constitution that promotes democratic principles and values through technical assistance that includes, but is not limited to, pro- viding comparative constitutional expertise; organizing constitutional conferences and conventions; fa- cilitating public awareness, educa- tion, and participation; and assist- ing in the conduct of a national referendum or other ratifying mechanism. NATIONAL GOVERNANCE 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 has provided extensive support to the Iraqi National Assembly in the lead-up to the December 2005 elections. HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK USAID partner prepared EIN team leaders to train up to 15,000 election monitors. Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 6, nearly 20 different train-the-trainer workshops were conducted for 402 team leaders. Over a two-week period, between Nov. 19 and Dec. 6, another 505 EIN team leaders where trained, who will in turn recruit and train up to 15,000 grassroots monitors throughout Iraq. The train-the-trainer program allowed EIN to deploy an unprecedented number of monitors. EIN was not only by far the largest independent monitor- ing network in the country but, for the first time, was able have monitors pre- sent in all polling stations nationwide (out of the 7,300 expected to open). USAID partner conducted Get-Out-The-Vote, training of trainers work- shop for women. The two-day training of trainers workshop was for a se- lected group of women who attended the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) first GOTV workshop and who expressed an interest in training other women party members on the basics of voter mobilization. The 22 participants, mem- bers of five political parties, learned and practiced teaching methods and tech- nical skills required to train others in their parties. The first part of the training focused on providing more details on GOTV tactics. The second part focused on how to design and successfully train others based on recommendations, discussions and presentations made by participants. National Women’s Coalition in Iraq receiveed training on legislative drafting. From Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, a week-long training on “Legislative Draft- ing” was conducted for 12 members of the National Women’s Coalition in Iraq. Participants – also members of the Coalition’s Legal, Research and Planning Committee – participated in this in-depth technical training to build the skills required to effectively conduct essential coalition activities in support of women’s rights in Iraq. Through a series of lectures, activities, drafting exercises, discussions, and presentations, the participants developed a stronger understanding of the structure, role, and impact of laws and learned the technical steps of legisla- tive research, analysis and drafting. New skills were applied on practical and current legislative issues related to the Personal Status Law in the Iraqi consti- tution. By the end of the training, the women drafted two articles with the hope that they will be approved by other members of the Coalition and used as part of its advocacy efforts and general awareness campaign. They also agreed on a medium to long-term strategy to review and advocate amendments to draft laws and/or the constitution. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 5 EDUCATION December 16, 2005 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • 2,962 schools have been rehabili- tated in full or in part • Hundreds of thousands of desks, chairs, cabinets, chalkboards, and more than 3 million school kits have been distributed countrywide. • 55,000 secondary school teachers and administrators have been trained. By the end of the 2005- 2006 school year more than 133,000 education professionals will have received in-service train- ing supported by USAID since 2004. • Eighty-four primary and secondary schools (four in each governorate) are being established to serve as model schools. Teachers will re- ceive specialized training, and schools will be equipped with com- puter and science laboratories. • An accelerated learning program, targeting 14,000 out-of-school youth, is being implemented during the 2005-06 school year. • To improve resource management, a comprehensive Education Man- agement Information System is being developed and MOE staff are being trained. • Satellite Internet access and com- puters were installed at the Ministry of Education and in all 21 Director- ates of Education. • More than 8.7 million math and science textbooks have been ed- ited, printed, and distributed throughout Iraq. • Partnerships were established between five American and 10 Iraqi universities. Through these part- nerships, more than 1,500 Iraqi faculty and students have partici- pated in workshops, trainings, con- ferences, and courses in Iraq, the Middle East, Europe, and the US. • University facilities, such as librar- ies, computer and science labora- tories, lecture halls, and buildings, have been rehabilitated at colleges of law, engineering, medicine, ar- cheology, and agriculture. In addi- tion, books and electronic re- sources 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 Over 14,000 students have enrolled in the 2005/06 Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) throughout the Southern and Central governorates. A substantial increase has been seen in the number of youth enrolled in the pilot project. In a single city, the number of enrolled students increased from 1,000 to 2,850. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has increased the num- ber of ALP teachers from 100 to 250 to meet the needs of all enrolled students. Teacher training for the ALP, already completed in three of the 10 participat- ing governorates, will continue across the southern and central governorates. USAID partners have completed print- ing most of the 52 Arabic titles of ALP textbooks; the MoE is currently distrib- uting them to the ALP schools. ALP schools are helping out-of-school youths ages 12-18 return to class, completing two years of primary education in one year. These schools are lo- cated in the 10 governorates with the lowest primary school net enrollment rates. Due to enthusiasm for the program, more students than anticipated will be participating and additional classrooms have been opened. Nearly 800 MoE staff have received intermediate level computer training as part of USAID and UNICEF efforts to increase capacity. This intermedi- ate level training, which will reach more than 1,000 MoE staff by the end of December 2005, builds on earlier training through USAID partners. To date, 83 intermediate level training courses have been held. Once participants com- plete this course, phase III of the training (an advanced course) will start. USAID has also held a five-day workshop for 11 master trainers from Arbil, Dohuk, and Sulaymaniyah. These master trainers, supplied with training manuals in Kurdish, will instruct 250 MoE staff in the northern region on basic computer skills over 10 days. Further training (intermediate and advanced level courses) will follow for the same trainees during the forthcoming months so that each trainee receives a total of 30 days training. Manuals for the inter- mediate and advanced stages are currently being prepared. Water and sanitation facilities have been rehabilitated in 411 schools. Work is continuing at an additional 186 schools. In partnership with UNICEF, USAID is working to restore bathrooms, drinking fountains, and other facilities at schools across Iraq. These facilities had fallen into disrepair through ne- glect and poor management, often becoming a danger to the students. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 6 HEALTH December 16, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Vaccinated over 3 million children under age 5 and 700,000 preg- nant women with vaccination campaigns that included monthly immunization days. • Provided supplementary doses of vitamin A for more than 600,000 children under age 2 and 1.5 mil- lion lactating mothers. • Provided iron folate supplements for over 1.6 million women of childbearing age. • Screened more than 1.3 million children under age 5 for malnutri- tion. • Distributed high protein biscuits to more than 450,000 children and 200,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers. • Provided potable water for 400,000 people each day in Bas- rah city and 170,000 people in Kirkuk and Mosul. • Provided skills training for 2,500 primary health care providers and 700 physicians. • Trained 2,000 health educators, teachers, religious leaders and youth to mobilize communities on hygiene, diarrhea, breastfeeding, nutrition and immunization issues. • Disseminated information on es- sential health messages to fami- lies around the country. • Renovated 110 primary health care centers. • Provided vaccines and cold chain equipment to selected health centers. • Developed a national plan to for- tify 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 Training in the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Strategy is begin- ning in central and southern Iraq. In coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Health and UNICEF, USAID is supporting training courses and workshops for staff in the local directorates of health throughout Iraq. Plans are underway to bring training to the northern governorates as well. Recently developed, the IYCF strategy will serve as a practical instrument to protect, promote, and support the safe and adequate feeding for young chil- dren and their mothers. Integrating program areas of nutrition, child and ma- ternal health, and household food security, the strategy helps coordinate the efforts of local, national, and international partners. The strategy will be used to produce the final MoH work plan for reducing child and mother morbidity and mortality on a national level. Construction is advancing on Primary Health Clinics (PHC) across Iraq. The construction of five PHCs in four governorates is nearing completion while a sixth, in Kirkuk, has recently been completed. In addition, USAID has purchased key supplies for these PHCs – including examination tables, labor/ delivery beds, obstetric surgical kits, and Doppler Fetal heart detectors – that will be distributed once construction is complete. USIAD is helping strengthen essential primary health care services in Iraq. The health program has focused on supporting PHCs, an integral part of the health care system that provide a wide range of services. In addition to cura- tive care, preventive services—like vaccination and prenatal care—are pro- vided by PHCs throughout Iraq. USAID and UNICEF are supporting a series of videos in health education for children. The USAID grant is helping the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports produce a short video on a recent youth conference, highlighting the constructive participation of youth in Iraqi society. USAID is also support- ing final production of the International Chil- dren’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) video, which will be distributed along with bro- chures to influential media channels in Iraq. Baghdad honored World AIDS Day 2005 with the participation of Ministry of Health officials, doctors, and community members. Speeches and presentations given during the ceremony discussed the status of AIDS in Iraq and focused on ways of educating the Iraqi population as a whole—young people in particular—on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 7 December 16, 2005 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Awarded 4,678 small grants total- ing $317.3 million for quick impact activities that support good govern- ance, civil society, conflict manage- ment and mitigation, human rights and transitional justice. • Funded 144 grants totaling over $5 million that focus on women’s is- sues, including supporting the re- habilitation of 46 women’s centers in Iraq. Rehabilitated 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 promoting peace, tolerance, and reconcilia- tion. • Met critical needs during and im- mediately after the conflict by pro- viding short-term employment, restoring basic government and community services, increasing Iraqi access to information and communication and encouraging protection of human 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 A new public education campaign com- pliments earlier community clean-up projects. An Iraq Transition Initiative (ITI) grant is supporting an Iraqi non- governmental organization (NGO) working to teach Iraqis about trash and sanitation. While clean-up projects provide sanitary and healthy environments, the results are not always sustainable; the core problem is more than the lack of basic trash collec- tion services. An Iraqi NGO decided to ad- dress this problem though a public outreach program. ITI grants have pro- vided materials and resources to create and install billboards in 50 locations that depict ways Iraqis can positively impact the local environment. Through this public education campaign, the Iraqi NGO aimed to mitigate dis- content with local governments by explaining to constituents that some prob- lems, like accumulated trash, result from their own poor habits and can be remedied by simple changes in these habits. The NGO also hoped to instill a greater degree of respect for a clean environment, stressing the value of giv- ing all residents a healthy and pleasing place to live and work. A new local radio station has been established in Northern Iraq with sup- port from an ITI grant. The suburban town in northern Iraq previously had no locally produced mass communication infrastructure. The ITI provided the lo- gistical support necessary to set up the station’s transmission equipment. A previous ITI grant renovated a building for a new radio station. The station can now reach thousands of residents over a 40 kilometer radius, and there are plans to extend this reach further in the future. The station’s broadcasts support independent media in Iraq and encourage citizen partici- pation and strengthen the community’s civil society. In response to locally determined priorities, ITI renovated a sports club and stadium in northern Iraq. Additionally, the ITI grant supplied uniforms, including socks and shoes for soccer, volleyball and basketball teams. Now, several local teams are participating in district tournaments. The facilities had fallen into disrepair after being seized by the former regime’s army for use as a base. The local mayor’s office prioritized the renovation of this club to pro- vide recreation to community youths and to strengthen the community’s civil society. By facilitative positive interaction among areas of different ethnic groups, the sports club has the potential to teach tolerance and bring recon- ciliation to an area rife with ethnic tension.. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 8 December 16, 2005 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE • Rehabilitated 105 water treatment units and 396 kilometers of water networks to ensure the provision of potable water in critical areas. • Rehabilitated 72 health facilities and re-equipped 238 to improve the quality of health care. • Vaccinated over 3,000 women and children against measles. • Registered internally displaced persons and provided them with water, blankets, medical kits, and hygiene kits. • Rehabilitated a water treatment plant in a poor area of Baghdad. The rehab is benefiting 1 million residents. DISASTER ASSISTANCE In the first year, USAID’s humanitarian assistance focused on emergency in- terventions to prevent food and water shortages and provide adequate shelter and medical supplies throughout Iraq. USAID is now directing humanitarian assistance efforts through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to specifically target Iraq’s internally displaced persons (IDPs). HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK An income generation program generates trust in hard-hit communities. A USAID-funded income generation project in Fallujah has allowed 100 resi- dents from six of the hardest-hit southern sectors of the town the opportunity to earn a living. Participants in this program, generally men between the ages of 19 and 25, are often the sole breadwinners of the households of seven to 10 family members. In Fallujah, unemployment is high and wages are ex- tremely low. Mobility within the city is highly limited, and entering and exiting the city is difficult. Through this income generation project, Iraqis have engaged in clean-up pro- grams to clear the rubble and detritus from streets and public areas and make way for the reconstruction of homes and businesses. Prior to this project, gar- bage, debris, and even bombed cars littered public areas of Fallujah. As the clean-up proceeds, the focus of this project is shifting from clean-up programs to more creative and potentially sustainable income-generation opportunities. Through this program, USAID’s implementing partner has developed strong relationships with Imams, sheiks, and government officials, thereby laying a foundation of trust among Fallujah’s inhabitants. To date, the program has generated nearly 6,000 person-days of work as program participants have re- moved more than 23,000 cubic meters of garbage and debris from streets, parks, and mosque areas. 3,000 displaced and vulnerable families receive vital winter supplies. Ap- proximately 3,000 families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other extremely vulnerable individuals (EVI) in the Sahalah ad Din Governorate re- ceived critical supplies though a USAID implementing partner to help prepare for winter. Most of these families are living in very simple shelters and lack many basic necessities. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of low temperatures that accompany the area’s harsh winters. Each package contains three blankets, one hygiene kit, one set of kitchen items, one galvanized 250-liter water tank, one kerosene heater, 220 liters of kerosene, and a 20-square-meter plastic sheet. These packages will benefit 18,000 Iraqis, delivering much-needed supplies to improve existing shelters and sustain them through the winter months. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 9 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 crisis during the conflict by providing assistance to the United Nations World Food Program. USAID advisors con- tinue 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. December 16, 2005 UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 10 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY December 16, 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 ● 11 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY December 16, 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 ● 12 PROGRAM FINANCIAL SUMMARY December 16, 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: $417,773,055 Administrative Administrative Costs Countrywide $10,815,599 IOM Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $6,462,167 DAI Iraq Transition Initiative Countrywide $389,500,376 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 .................................... $5,027,118,029 * Figures in funding sheet are subject to change and do not represent a final official accounting of USG obligations. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ● IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WEEKLY UPDATE ● 13