Rebuilding Iraq

As of April 2008 the following projects and accomplishments have taken place thanks to the hard work and dedication of US Forces operating in Iraq.

Electricity
In 2007, electricity production capabilities climbed 31 percent. Iraq’s electrical infrastructure currently is meeting approximately 65 percent of the country’s demand. Since 2003, electrical demand has increased about 70 percent – meaning residents are buying more consumer goods, such as air conditioners and refrigerators and more essential services are coming on line, such as health clinics and fire stations.


Healthcare Clinics
Currently, 86 of the planned 142 healthcare clinics by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are completed – 12 more clinics are expected to be completed in April 2008. Each clinic sees approximately 300 patients a day.


Hospitals
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ $288.5 million hospital program includes 25 renovation projects at 20 hospitals that focus on children’s and maternity care. Two new hospitals also are being constructed in Basrah and Maysan provinces. Currently, they have completed 17 of the projects, with the remaining eight (8) renovations expected to be completed by May 2008.


New Hospital
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building the $163 million Basrah Children’s Hospital, designed to care for children with cancer and to train doctors in pediatric oncology. The project is being built using U.S. and United Nations funds. Further, medical equipment that will be installed in the hospital is being donated by Project HOPE, an international philanthropic organization. The project is about 70 percent completed, with an estimated construction completion date of July 2008. Approximately 700 workers are employed daily on the job site.


Capacity Development
The Iraqi Ministry of Health has been provided $12 million for health-care training to ensure medical personnel have the knowledge to properly work the new equipment that the U.S. Government has funded. In addition, the MoH also has been provided with $12 million worth of 50 maintenance vans and medical repair tools for maintenance teams, and a one-year maintenance support contract for the Provincial Health Clinics. This will ensure that Ministry has the tools and expertise needed to keep the hospitals and healthcare centers up-and-running.


Education
The Ministry of Education identified the schools it deemed needed work and the USG stepped in to assist. The school program – done with Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds – is complete with 1,885 new schools ($259.1 million); 1,604 repaired schools ($95.5 million); and $18.6 million in supplies and equipment.