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	USAID Information: USAID: Assistance for Iraq FY 2009 Congressional Budget Justification Stories From Iraq Selected USAID Reports FrontLines, May 2009: Iraqis Reopen Vocational School in Baghdad External Links: U.S. State Department CIA World Factbook United Nations Development Programme World Bank Group
	7/3/2009: USAID Microfinance Program Tops $300 Million in Micro-Loans 6/17/2009: USAID, Iraqi Refinery Open Training Center to Strengthen Skills of IT Managers 6/6/2009: USAID Supports Iraqi Company for Financing Small and Medium Enterprises 6/2/2009: USAID Forum Offers Iraqi Entrepreneurs Options for Financing Businesses 5/28/2009: USAID, World Bank Partner with Iraqis to Launch Social Safety Net Program For more news from the field
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	Iraqis Reopen Vocational School in Baghdad In Iraq, Kevin Rushing Builds Bridges to Revive Battered City Iraqis Prepare to Ease Trade Obstacles to Join WTO Restoring a Market and a Community Iraqi Communities Fight Corruption For more stories
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Iraq

EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT

• USAID developed an automated social safety net system, and 1 million needy families receive benefits.
• USAID trained more than 70,000 Iraqi ministry officials in public adminstration and management.
• USAID-supported microfinance institutions have disbursed over $300 million in micro-loans in all 18 provinces.

USAID/IRAQ SITE
www.usaid.gov/iraq

CONTACTS
Mission Director
Christopher Crowley
USAID/Iraq
APO AE 09316
Tel: 202-216-6289

Director, Office of Iraq Reconstruction (Washington)
Alex Dickie
Tel: 202-712-4716
Email: adickie@usaid.gov

The American people through USAID have actively supported the interests of Iraqi women, providing them with the necessary skills to encourage their full participation in their country's political, social, and economic future. (Photo: USAID)

Overview

Iraq is the beneficiary of the largest effort to provide foreign assistance by the U.S. government since the Marshall Plan. USAID implements a variety of development programs throughout the country and works closely with Coalition forces, other U.S. government agencies, all levels of Iraqi government, and a network of non-governmental organizations, community groups, and citizens. USAID also works with international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank. Since March 2003, USAID has implemented almost $6.4 billion in programs to stabilize communities; foster economic and agricultural growth; build the capacity of the national, local, and provincial governments; and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced and vulnerable populations.

Programs

Governing Justly and Democratically
USAID programs facilitate democratic transformation and strengthen governance in Iraq. At the community level, USAID works with local groups to assist them in prioritizing their needs and implementing their own solutions. At the provincial level, USAID helps to build the capacity of provincial and local authorities to provide essential services, plan development strategies and projects, and work together to govern effectively. At the national level, USAID works with key ministries and administrative offices to bolster the professional aptitude of mid- and senior-level civil servants. Anti-corruption measures are incorporated in program components at both ministerial and local levels. In coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq, USAID has supported Iraqi electoral activities by helping to strengthen Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission.

Economic Growth: Improving Economic Opportunity
To encourage private sector development, USAID-supported small business development centers provide Iraqi entrepreneurs with training and referrals to USAID-supported microfinance institutions, which have collectively disbursed over $300 million in micro-loans in all of the country’s 18 provinces. USAID also focuses on strengthening linkages between businesses in Iraq’s agribusiness sector and improving agricultural quality and production. By connecting farmers to markets and facilitating domestic and foreign partnerships, USAID helps to improve the competitiveness of Iraqi agribusinesses. USAID works with the U.S. Treasury Department and other agencies to assist the Central Bank of Iraq and Iraq’s Ministry of Finance with critical financial and banking reforms and assists the Government of Iraq with its application for membership in the World Trade Organization.

Peace and Security: Stabilizing Vulnerable Communities
USAID worked with community groups, local government officials, central ministries, and provincial reconstruction teams to provide viable alternatives to communities vulnerable to joining the insurgency and engaging in violence. USAID’s activities addressed the needs of these communities by generating employment through public works projects, vocational and business training, apprenticeships, and micro-grants to encourage small business development. To engage marginalized and vulnerable youth, USAID supported recreational clubs, sports tournaments, drama presentations, and other activities for young Iraqis.

Infrastructure, Health and Education
USAID completed all of its infrastructure, health, and education programs in Iraq in 2006.

USAID added 1,292 megawatts of electrical generation capacity to the national grid, benefiting 7 million Iraqis. USAID’s refurbishment of water treatment plants improved the supply of potable water for more than 3.1 million Iraqis, and provided sewage treatment benefiting 5.1 million people. In addition, USAID’s installation of small water treatment systems in rural communities improved the supply of clean water for 400,000 villagers. USAID has transferred infrastructure assets that were installed or rehabiliated to the Government of Iraq and provided guidance for operations and maintenance. USAID also helped to strengthen essential primary health care services throughout Iraq. USAID-supported campaigns immunized 98 percent of Iraqi children between the ages of one and five against measles, mumps, and rubella; 97 percent of Iraqi children under five were immunized against polio.

USAID worked with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education to improve access to quality education in Iraq at the primary, secondary, and university levels. In support of this mission, USAID rehabilitated more than 2,000 schools and provided more than 8.6 million new textbooks.

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