Water and Infrastructure

Overview

This rig, provided by USAID, is helping to clean and service water wells throughout the West Bank.

Since 1994, USAID has been one of the largest donors in the infrastructure sector. Projects include the construction and rehabilitation of water systems and distribution networks, roads, sanitation systems, clinics, schools, and other community facilities. Through improved systems, training, and hands-on technical assistance, USAID is strengthening the Palestinian Water Authority’s capacity to better operate and maintain its growing water system. This effort, together with the rehabilitation of aged and leaking pipelines, will reduce water losses and improve the sustainable use of limited resources for the growing Palestinian population. Over the past 10 years, USAID provided more than 127,000 temporary jobs for Palestinians through infrastructure programming.

Goals

• Support the Palestinian Authority (PA) through infrastructure and capacity improvements necessary to promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for Palestinians
• Develop professional skills of local Palestinian engineers and construction managers in the infrastructure sector
• Create skilled and unskilled jobs for Palestinian workers

Active Projects

Infrastructure Needs Program

The Infrastructure Needs Program was launched in 2008 to provide critical infrastructure that promotes economic growth, improves quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank, and helps the PA address both immediate and long-term infrastructure needs. Projects include the rehabilitation of roads, water systems and distribution networks, wastewater systems, schools, and other facilities that support the PA as it prepares for a future Palestinian state. These projects also create desperately needed jobs that bolster local economic activity. 

Infrastructure Needs Program II

Building on the success of the original Infrastructure Needs Program, USAID will continue to provide infrastructure for Palestinian residents of the West Bank through this Infrastructure Needs Program II. Under the new program, USAID will rehabilitate roads to form a contiguous road network that supports economic and social development. The program also will develop strategic sources of new water, rehabilitate and construct water distribution systems, and design and construct wastewater treatment plants.

Local Government and Infrastructure Program

The Local Government and Infrastructure Program promotes good local governance practices and provides the basic community infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians. By promoting good democratic governance policies and offering training programs for elected representatives, the program enhances the ability of local governments to respond effectively to community needs. In addition, the program promotes and encourages public involvement through civic engagement committees and public perception surveys, so that local residents can identify the infrastructure needs in their communities and select projects to best address their priorities.

Emergency Water and Sanitation and Other Infrastructure Program

The Emergency Water and Sanitation and Other Infrastructure Program is designed to provide emergency relief in the water and sanitation sectors—and in other sectors, as needed—to the Palestinian people. The goal of the program is to improve the supply of potable water to Palestinian communities facing serious water shortages, while simultaneously addressing sanitation problems in some of the most underdeveloped Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The program supports the procurement, supply, and installation of new pipes to carry potable water, and facilitates the repair of water and sewer line breaks and small pumping systems. The program also supports the construction or rehabilitation of basic Palestinian infrastructure, such as hospitals, community health clinics, community centers, youth centers, and classrooms.