HEBRON, November 19, 2009 (WAFA) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) celebrated the completion of 30.2 kilometers of roads, three schools, and a water system in the Hebron Governorate at an event held in the city of Tarqumia on Wednesday.
The projects, made possible through USAID's Infrastructure Needs Program, support the PA's plan to improve delivery of essential services, and to increase the stability and prosperity of its people.
The event was attended by Governor of Hebron Hussein Al Araj, Minister of Public Works and Housing Mohammad Shtayeh, Minister of Education and Higher Education Lamis Al Alami, Head of the West Bank Water Department Chamil Chrabish, USAID Acting Mission Director Sherry Carlin, and Mayor of Tarqumia Mohammad Ja'afreh, as well as municipal and community representatives.
USAID said it is proud to partner with the PA in achieving its ambitious goals and in building the foundations of a future Palestinian state. In the Hebron Governorate, USAID provided $32.4 million for new infrastructure projects to strengthen the potential for economic growth and social development in the region. The projects include the construction and rehabilitation of three essential reservoirs (Beit Ula, Tarqumia, and Nuba), distribution lines, and construction of three access roads to these reservoirs; and, the building of three new schools in Geith, Kraisa and Tarqumia, enabling 2,280 students to study in state-of-the-art facilities .
USAID also helped fund construction of three road projects: the Al Dahrieh - Al Ramadeen Road, the Wadi Al Quf–Wadi Al Safa–Halhul Road, and the Tarqumia Crossing Road. These road improvements will facilitate the transportation of goods and people, and increase business and economic opportunities for the Hebron communities.
In 2010, USAID plans to invest another $153 million in additional infrastructure development projects in the West Bank including construction of up to 180 km of new roads, creating greater connectivity between various Governorates, and the creation of new water supply projects expected to benefit 1.4 million Palestinians.
Since its inception in 2008, USAID's Infrastructure Needs Program has built 64 km of roads, seven schools, and two large water systems and created over 140,000 person days of employment for Palestinians in the West Bank. In 2009, $65 million was spent through the program to improve infrastructure throughout the entire West Bank.