success story

May 30, 2009

30 May 2009 – Badhan, West Bank. In May 2009 the Palestinian Authority and the United States Agency for International Development celebrated the opening of a new road in the village of Badhan near Nablus in the central part of the West Bank. Minister of Public Works and Housing, Kamal Hassouneh; USAID Mission Director, Howard Sumka; and Jamal Muhaisen, Nablus Governor, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, together with Palestinian Authority Ministers, Governors, Palestinian dignitaries, and representatives of the Badhan community. USAID contributed approximately $1 million to rehabilitate 1.3 kilometers of road and sidewalks, improving the traffic conditions and pedestrian safety of Badhan. The road connects the West Bank Governorates of Nablus, Tubas, Jenin, and Jericho, and serves the villages of Badhan, Taluza, Asira Al Shamaliyah, Yasid and Ja’ba.

The new road is making an immediate impact, improving living conditions for all area residents. From access to health services, to stimulating commercial growth and tourism, the Infrastructure Needs Program is making a difference in Badhan.

Only days after the ribbon cutting ceremony, Tahani Ratrout, Health Worker and Nurse in Badhan clinic, is witnessing a difference in access to health services before and after the road was reconstructed. Tahani is working in the only clinic is Badhan. The clinic is offering prenatal health services to approximately 65 women each month. Tahani recalls that last winter, a pregnant woman was coming to the clinic on foot, and due to the road’s extremely bad condition, the woman slipped in the mud and miscarried! Tahani exclaims: “She was a young woman of only 26 years old! She was 20 meters away from our door; the road had no sidewalks and no drainage system.” With an air of relief, Tahani adds: “This new road is improving access to our clinic dramatically. Women can now get here safely.”

The impact of the new road is no less significant on commercial activity. Munir Salahat is the owner of a shop on the newly rehabilitated Badhan Road; he is selling paint and sanitary units. Munir describes the old road as “miserable, with potholes, narrow, congested with heavy traffic, and no sidewalks.” Munir compares the situation today by saying: “The new road, and the road network USAID is building, are opening markets to the communities in the area. For my business, it definitely improves economic activity- bad roads mean higher cost for products to reach me. I have to bring supplies from Nablus, Jenin, and Hebron, and certain items are imported from Jordan and Israel.” Munir describes Badhan Road as an important link between various Palestinian communities in the northern West Bank, because it shortens the distance between Palestinian communities in the Jenin and Nablus countryside. He adds: “I am very grateful to USAID for all its good works.”

Badhan is an important West Bank scenic area with lots of natural springs, forested mountains, and greenery. Palestinians visit Badhan from all over the West Bank. There are seven fresh water springs around the village of Badhan, providing it with gushing water and lush greenery. The Badhan area has approximately 375 acres of natural reserves managed by the Palestinian Authority, and 11 tourism facilities are in the area. Mufid Al-Hantouli owns a three- acre park, and he explains in simple terms: “Badhan is centrally located, linking various cities and villages in the northern part of the West Bank, and it goes to Jericho and the Bridge to Jordan. Roads, tourism, and economic growth are intertwined. Improved road access improves local tourism, which in turn is spurring the local economy and creating jobs.”

Badhan Road rehabilitation is part of USAID’s new 5-year, $300 million Infrastructure Needs Program. The INP reflects commitment by the American people to help Palestinians build the foundation for a future Palestinian state. The deteriorating condition of infrastructure in the West Bank is significantly hindering economic development. USAID’s leadership to implement new projects in the roads, schools, and water sectors is improving the quality of Palestinian infrastructure and contributing to a stronger Palestinian economy.