USAID WBG Accomplishments (October 2005-January 2006) – USAID press release/Non-UN document

USAID WBG Accomplishments – October 2005 – January 2006

Highlights of USAID/West Bank and Gaza Accomplishments
October 2005- January 2006

The projects below highlight of some of USAID/West Bank and Gaza's accomplishments during the period October 2005 through January 2006. It is far from an exhaustive list, but one that demonstrates the range and scope of USAID's assistance to the Palestinian people.

Schools/Education

Constructed/rehabilitated over 57 schools/kindergartens.

Awarded 750 scholarships to first and second year technical college students and an additional five Presidential Scholarships for graduate/post-graduate study in the U.S.

Provided 55 computers to 11 university libraries, and finalized contracting procedures for the modernization of computer labs at 22 community colleges.

Conducted training sessions and workshops for youth focused on writing, computer skills, library research, youth empowerment, elections and civic education.

Roads

Constructed/rehabilitated over 21 roads in the West Bank and Gaza, totaling over 75.3 km, benefiting around 4,050,000 people, and generating approximately 132,651 person-days of employment.
Greenhouses/Packing Houses

Rehabilitated 31 greenhouses and five of the 12 "Wolfensohn deal" packing houses in former Israeli settlements.

Facilitated the first Palestinian agricultural produce from those greenhouses through the Karni crossing. In the period between December 1, 2005 and January 6, 2006, 10,020 fully loaded trucks passed through Karni. Overall strawberry exports from Gaza reached $2 million in December 2005, versus $300,000 in December of 2004. Similarly, 89.6 tons of cherry tomatoes, 117.5 tons of sweet peppers, 5.8 tons of strawberries and 63.3 tons of cucumber were exported to Israel and EU countries from the rehabilitated ex-Gush Katif greenhouses via the Karni crossing.

Rafah Crossing

Provided vital technical solutions and equipment to open the Rafah Border Crossing for passenger traffic and potential export shipments.

Provided strategic communications and logistics support for the official Rafah Presidential opening event.

Border Crossings

Leased four container/truck cargo x-ray scanners to jumpstart the facilitation of cargo traffic at four key border crossings. Scanners are undergoing acceptance testing prior to their installation at Karni, Kerem Shalom and Sha'ar Efraim; training of Israeli technicians on the operation of the equipment is underway.
Quick Impact Projects

55 grants totaling $2.79 million with an average grant of $50,730.

Renovated the President's official press briefing area at the Muqata'a in Ramallah, constructed a media center in Gaza and a mobile press unit, and trained Palestinian Media Center staff on the operation of all three.

Provided office equipment and infrastructure improvements to facilitate processing of seasonal travelers through the Rafah and Jericho terminals.

Launched the Gaza Anti-Gun Campaign to encourage greater public support for increased safety and security in Gaza. Organized six town hall meetings and public campaigns to raise public awareness on the dangers of firearm possession and use.

Coordinated a city beautification campaign that mobilized youth volunteers to clean and paint sidewalks in 11 city centers and select neighborhoods in an effort to refresh and revive the environment and the physical aspect of cities across the West Bank and Gaza. Thus far, 24,000 meters of curbs have been painted and 190 trees/shrubs have been planted.

Organized the "Olive Cup," a nationwide youth soccer tournament for boys in 15 districts across the West Bank and Gaza, and provided soccer jerseys, shorts, socks, goalie gloves and soccer balls to 400 youth soccer clubs of the "lion cubs" age group (17-year-olds), a total of 6,000 players.

Democratic Reform

Organized dozens of workshops and conferences on topics ranging from enforcement of court decisions and voter education, to strategy planning on empowerment of local authorities.

Provided dozens of training sessions on topics such as judicial education, Criminal Procedures Law, Penal Code, campaign strategy, voter identification, municipal and PLC elections, election appeals, victomology, and corruption and financial accountability.

Supported hundreds of forums, sessions, roundtables and town hall meetings related to justice, elections, ethics, and rule of law.

Provided political party assistance and polling data to democratic actors.

Played an important role in facilitating the development of the Elections Code of Conduct, the 2006 Palestinian Bar Association Rule of Law Diary, the By-laws for a Forum of Palestinian Law Schools, the Strategic Planning Committee for Ministry of Justice, and the appointment of the Chief of Judicial Police, among many other important democratic reform efforts.

Water

Completed construction of a well, reservoir, and 33 km of pipeline in Hebron that will deliver municipal drinking water to 400,000 Palestinians. The project generated over 50,000 person-days of employment.

Completed construction of 2.27 km (83%) of Mekorot pipeline, 0.45 km remaining. The connection will provide 150,000 unserved residents of Gaza City with potable water and will generate 3,600 person-days of employment.

Initial site preparation work continues on the Gaza Regional Water Carrier. When completed, the pipeline will carry 150,000 cubic meters of water per day and benefit all residents of Gaza.

Loans
Disbursed over 380 home improvement loans totaling $1,957,680, improving the lives of 1,900 Palestinians, and generating 56,076 person-days of employment.

Disbursed 1,588 micro loans, totaling $3,835,569, benefiting 6,352 Palestinians, and generating 4,764 person-days of employment.

Health

Delivered $60,125 in equipment and supplies for 5 emergency departments at major Palestinian hospitals (2 in West Bank, 2 in Gaza, and 1 in East Jerusalem).

Provided training for 143 Palestinian health professionals.

Delivered pharmaceuticals and medical supplies amounting to $400,460 to the Ministry of Health and NGOs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Parks

Constructed five parks, benefiting 217,000 people, and generating approximately 13,150 person days of employment.
Small-scale Infrastructure

Rehabilitated 485 houses in Gaza, creating 15,000 person-days of employment, and benefiting 3,300 Palestinians.

Rehabilitated more than 125 km of electrical cables and wires in Gaza.

Public Outreach Events

Conducted approximately 94 public events in coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA) from November 2005 to January 2006. (Approximately 18 events were USAID branded, 59 PA branded, and 17 USAID and PA co-branded.)

October 2005 – January 2006: USAID/WBG sponsored approximately 138 TV spots, 109 billboards, 5 newspaper ads, and 20 press releases. (Does not include figures from U.S. contractors and grantees).

The United States Agency for International Development
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