U.S. Officials Join Abu Dees Community in celebrating US-funded Infra-structure Improvements

US Consul General Jacob Walles meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, 16 September 2006. (MaanImages/Fadi Arouri)

10 August 2007

Bethlehem - Ma'an - U.S. Consul General Jacob Walles and USAID acting director for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, David Harden on Friday joined Abu Dees mayor, Ibrahim Jaffal and local dignitaries in highlighting infra-structure improvements to the Old City of Abu Dees east of Jerusalem. The improvements were part of city-wide rehabilitation efforts made possible by approximately $144,000 of in-kind assistance provided to the municipal council by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). OTI’s assistance allowed for the stone tiling of the Old City’s unpaved alleys, installation of stone benches and trash receptacles and painting. City-wide improvements included the repair of sidewalks, mounting of 100 street signs, painting of crosswalks, placement of street reflectors, and new bus shelters near Al-Quds university in the city. The project, which was designed in coordination with local leaders and residents, also drew on the energies and enthusiasm of 300 community volunteers who donated their time to work together with municipal technical specialists.

Speaking to the crowd of residents gathered for the day’s celebrations, U.S. Consul General Walles said: “The new infra-structure not only beautifies the city, but also makes an important contribution to public safety. The community spirit that made these improvements possible, is the same kind of civic involvement that will prove instrumental in building the institutions necessary to create a viable Palestinian state.”

USAID/OTI will continue its assistance to Abu Dees as part of an overall $15 million small grants program for communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. To date, OTI has approved 134 grants that have made $6,767,560 available to municipalities seeking to improve the daily lives of residents.