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Accomplishments: Community Action Program
The Community Action Program (CAP) enables Iraqis to address critical needs of their communities. Through the program, Iraqi community associations identify and prioritize their needs, and subsequently develop and implement projects that address those needs. This process gives Iraqi citizens a voice in the decisions that affect their communities. CAP projects include repair to local sewerage systems and roads, rehabilitation of schools, and renovation of health clinics. Women, youth, and minority groups participate in the program.
Under the repressive rule of Saddam Hussein the Iraqi people suffered economically and socially for over a decade. A lack of investment led to decreases in productivity, wages, and jobs. In addition, social services also eroded significantly. Iraqi citizens were excluded from the local decision-making process. CAP encourages citizens to become involved in addressing the issues that affect their communities.
USAID partner Save the Children is working with community leaders to identify projects that will benefit the local community, including this football field in the Shatt Al-Arab district of Basrah, Iraq. (Photo: Thomas Hartwell) |
- 321 Community Associations (CAs) of 400 targeted established in 15 Governorates.
- The CAs, in partnership with the NGOs, have completed 322 projects with 198 projects underway, totaling $13 million with an additional 284 projects currently in the pipeline for total commitments of $21.6 million. Nearly 3.7 million people will directly benefit.
- Iraqis contributed $3.9 million, which represents 18 percent of the total project funding, to community projects. Contributions have included labor, land, buildings, and other in-kind assistance.
- CHF completed 66 projects (29 in Babil, 34 in Karbala' and 3 in Najaf) directly benefiting more than a quarter million residents in 54 communities. Activities include repairing roads, cleaning up neighborhoods, and renovating schools and water, sanitation, and medical facilities.
- ACDI/VOCA completed 98 projects, including rehabilitating a youth center in Al Riyad and repairing trash vehicles in Kirkuk.
- IRD completed 75 projects. A marketplace that will serve 250,000 residents is being constructed, and crews are cleaning up medical waste dumps and educating medical personnel on proper disposal methods.
- Mercy Corps completed 16 projects and 39 more are underway, including water, hospital, and school renovation.
- Save the Children completed 136 projects and another 156 are in the process of implementation. Projects have focused primarily on immediate community needs such as sewage clean up, water treatment and distribution, health and girls' access to education.
- Five U.S. NGOs concentrate on one region respectively: ACDI/VOCA (North), IRD (Baghdad), CHF (Southwest Central), Mercy Corps (Southeast Central), and Save the Children (South).
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