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Iraq Rapid Assistance Program (IRAP)
Program Snapshot
- Award Amount: $165 million
- Start/End Dates: September 2007 - September 30, 2010
- Implementer: Development Alternatives, Inc.
- Website: www.dai.com
IRAP Grants Meet Essential Needs of Civilians, Civil Society, and Government Institutions
USAID's IRAP grants enable Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and embedded PRTs to provide funding with speed and flexibility in support of community development needs, while maintaining administrative and management control.
The IRAP grants support activities in socio-economic development and civil society efforts to mitigate conflict. Assistance may be in the form of direct grants, working capital, cash advances, grants in-kind, or reimbursements.
The program operates from regional centers in Kirkuk, Hillah, Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Basrah. These centers act as operating bases for mobile program personnel. IRAP supports a wide array of Iraqi organizations, such as local indigenous groups, cooperatives, associations, informal groups, non-governmental organizations, local and provincial governments, student groups, media, and businesses.
The IRAP assists PRTs in conceptualizing program ideas and links them, as necessary, with local implementers. IRAP works to support activities that:
- Promote reconciliation, conflict resolution and prevention;
- Advance economic recovery with employment and vocational training;
- Encourage independent media with journalist training and law reform;
- Provide nationwide training to regional and locally elected officials;
- Create and support women's associations, vocational training, counseling for war widows, and other programs benefiting women;
- Develop networks for war widows, loan programs or credit enhancement facilities targeting women-owned or operated businesses;
- Promote national messages using television, radio, and newsprint; and
- Strengthen governance with elections support.
Program Highlights:
- The USAID Iraq Rapid Assistance Program has implemented 600 grants worth $81.2 million.
- Through IRAP's civil society conflict mitigation component, 211 grants worth $17.7 million are being implemented by Iraqi organizations.
- IRAP grants have strengthened existing microfinance institutions with loan capital and operational capital, expanding the reach of microfinance entities and increasing access to capital for the private sector.
- In collaboration with the Rural Women's Association and the Basrah PRT, IRAP increased the professional skills of socially disadvantaged women in the poor districts of the province by teaching them tailoring skills. The activity created income opportunities for 80 individuals.
- The program has implemented grants in the rural sub-district of Ameriyah to procure irrigation equipment, which will assist with the irrigation of about 3,000 acres of farmland.
- IRAP has strengthened Governorate Electoral Offices through capacity-building grants (equipment and supplies) in the lead up to the provincial elections.
- Ahead of the January 31, 2009 provincial elections, IRAP provided education to Iraqis on the voting process through 182 grants worth $6.3 million. The activities were implemented by local civil society organizations and covered 14 provinces.
- A USAID-funded project is expanding economic opportunities and technological capacity for women in one of Iraq's poorest provinces. Supported by the Iraq Rapid Assistance Program (IRAP), funding to a woman-led NGO teaches women in Muthanna Province computer skills to increase their marketability and voice in the community.
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