USAID Announces $75 million to Support New Palestinian Infrastructure Projects

June 2, 2010

Bethlehem, West Bank:  At the Palestine Investment Conference in Bethlehem on June 2, 2010, the United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced $75 million in new activities to support the Palestinian Authority's work to improve infrastructure throughout the West Bank and Gaza. USAID Mission Director Howard Sumka made the announcement during a special session on infrastructure, where he underscored the U.S. Government's commitment to the Palestinian Authority's state-building program.

In coordination with the Palestinian Authority, USAID will expand its current $300 million Infrastructure Needs Program, which supports large infrastructure projects, to include a new five-year program with $60 million in additional funding in the first year.

USAID will also start a new Community Infrastructure Development (CID) program in October 2010, to support water, roads, health, and education infrastructure projects. The program will have a $15 million budget the first year. Both of these activities will support the Palestinian economy by creating jobs and providing workers with opportunities to develop their technical and professional skills.

Since 1994, USAID has provided close to $3 billion in U.S. economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. USAID coordinates closely with the Palestinian Authority to support projects that reduce poverty, improve health and education, build infrastructure, create jobs, and promote democracy and good governance.