Community Infrastructure Development Program

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Community Infrastructure Development Program Increased access to improved public infrastructure is a critical foundation for social and economic development. Existing infrastructure in Palestine perpetuates poor and deteriorating public services and slows economic growth. Based on the Palestinian Authority (PA) Bureau of the Census and Statistics, about 10% of Palestinian households still have no access to running water -- this represents about 123 localities, villages and communities. Health facilities have degraded rapidly since 2000 and there is a continuous need for rehabilitation of hospitals and clinics and construction of new facilities. Almost 45% of the road network in the West Bank is in poor or failed condition. Furthermore, the PA needs about 50 schools (1000 classrooms) in the West Bank every year just to accommodate the increase in student population. This situation has developed over many years of economic and political stagnation, rapid population growth, lack of proper maintenance and inadequate investment. Most affected are marginalized Palestinians living in remote and rural communities. Faced with aging infrastructure and public demand for better services, the PA has struggled to allocate sufficient resources to fully support the maintenance of existing infrastructure. With the current economic crisis, the PA’s revenues have been reduced to the point where funding for even minimal levels of infrastructure upkeep, repair, or expansion, is extremely difficult. Nonetheless, the PA recognizes the need to address such infrastructure deficiencies immediately. The Community Infrastructure Development Program would respond to small to medium scale infrastructure needs identified by the PA and the USAID/West Bank and Gaza Mission to support improved physical infrastructure. Activities considered under this program will include, but not be limited to, the construction and renovation of schools and kindergartens; upgrade of vocational education schools facilities; rehabilitation and development of youth/women and recreational centers; rehabilitation and development of roads, sidewalks and public parks; and upgrading and renovation of NGO/private health facilities. OBJECTIVE The objectives of the Community Infrastructure Development Program are to: Provide basic multi-sector infrastructure packages to remote communities in order to raise their standard of living; Support requests to increase the impact of USAID-funded programs in health, democracy and governance, education and the private sector by addressing underlying infrastructure needs which may be limiting the impact of those programs; and To the full extent practicable, provide employment opportunities to Palestinian communities, enhance local government capacity to respond to urgent infrastructure needs, and encourage community participation and empowerment in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of public infrastructure.

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