The US Agency for International Development (USAID) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Umm Qasr, Iraq, to mark the formal hand-over to the town’s Transitional Town Council of three democracy projects funded by the US government.
The total cost of the projects is $76,000. These projects mark the first time there has been public access to the Internet in Umm Qasr, and the first time in decades that there have been administrative offices for a locally selected government, according to a USAID press release.
The ceremony included representatives of the Town Council, USAID, implementing partner Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) and US military Civil Affairs leadership.
The three USAID grants, selected based on a list of priorities developed by community residents, were for a new town council building ($41,000), for a new Community Communication Center ($30,000), and for youth sports facilities and equipment ($5,000).
The Town Council grant has provided a new pre-fabricated administration building with air conditioning, electricity, and plumbing; computers and other office equipment including furniture; and training and technical assistance in community leadership for the currently appointed and the future elected Council members.
The Community Communications Center project has supplied new computers with broadband internet access and international phone call capabilities, furniture, and training and technical assistance. The youth sports project includes a new cement basketball/volleyball court, restoration of a soccer field, and balls and nets for soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
The DART is an inter-agency U.S. humanitarian response team deployed by USAID in cooperation with other US agencies including the Department of State and Health and Human Services. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
