July 21, 2009
Dahriyeh, Hebron, West Bank – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Palestinian Authority celebrated the opening of the Dahriyeh – Ramadeen Road in the most southern part of the West Bank on Tuesday. Minister of Public Works and Housing Mohammad Shtayyeh, Hebron Governor Hussein Al-‘Araj and USAID Mission Director Howard Sumka attended the ceremony along with Palestinian Authority dignitaries and representatives of the Hebron community.
USAID contributed more than $3.5 million to rehabilitate 8.2 kilometers of road and sidewalks, improving traffic conditions and pedestrian safety. Approximately 1,600 vehicles will travel on the Dahriyeh – Ramadeen Road daily, and approximately 17 million vehicles will travel over the next 20 years.
Dahriyeh is the third largest community in the Hebron area and has great potential as a commercial hub. Approximately 100,000 residents of the Negev travel to Dahriyeh on the road, thus creating new opportunities for commercial activity.
The Dahriyeh – Ramadeen road rehabilitation is part of USAID’s new 5-year, $300 million Infrastructure Needs Program, which aims to improve the quality of Palestinian infrastructure and help the Palestinian economy. During the first year of the program, USAID is providing $80 million to implement 17 projects, including schools, roads, and water distribution systems improvements.
Since 1993, USAID has provided more than $2.2 billion in U.S. economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza via projects designed to reduce poverty, improve health and education, implement infrastructure and water projects, create jobs, and promote democracy and good governance.
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