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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID Mission Director Dawn Liberi Holds a Joint Press Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2005
Baghdad, Iraq
Contact: 202-216-6276
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov/iraq
Baghdad - In a joint press conference at the Convention Center with Ambassador Dan Speckhard and Brigadier General William McCoy, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Dawn Liberi highlighted the work of USAID in helping create a civil society program in Iraq which played a pivotal role in the political transition to participatory democracy.
In her opening remarks Miss Liberi said, "Over the past several months we have witnessed a dramatic political transformation in Iraq highlighted by the ratification of the Iraqi Constitution in October; and are shortly about to witness the birth of the permanent new Iraqi Assembly. This Assembly will select a government that will continue with the task of establishing a democratic ruling system. Iraq will set an example for the entire region to follow. The upcoming elections will also draw Iraqis from different ethnicities and sects to participate in the democratic process."
Before 2003, Iraq was ruled by one party that practiced atrocities and full censorship against the Iraqi people. Today, Iraqis are striving to cement the democratic process which will culminate with the upcoming elections on December 15.
Iraq's Transitional Government, which was elected in January 2005, will be replaced by a permenant government to be seated for the coming four years.
Since 2003, the USAID program in Iraq has supported five objectives with funding of $5.1 billion:
Infrastructure: Rebuild and rehabilitate Iraq's vital infrastructure, including power, water, sanitation, and transportation networks. Education, Health, and Social Services: Ensure that basic healthcare needs are met and improve access to-and quality of-education. Economic Opportunity: Rejuvenate the economy, rebuild the agricultural sector, and revitalize the southern marshlands. Government Efficiency and Accountability: Support development in impoverished communities and enhance stability, social service delivery, and citizen participation in local governance.
Humanitarian Assistance: Provide emergency humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter, and medical supplies.
USAID has adopted a new strategic approach for 2006-2008 to transform its program from one of rebuilding infrastructure and service delivery to one that will emphasize sustainable development capacity at national and local levels.
As of December 2005, nearly 200 USAID Mission personnel are working in Iraq, including almost 100 Iraqi national staff at the Mission and regional offices. Approximately 350 expatriate personnel in Iraq are working for USAID's private sector partners. USAID's Iraq reconstruction programs presently employ over 80,000 Iraqis in all sectors throughout the country.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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