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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-43202003-020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2003Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a $10 million, one-year grant to the World Heath Organization (WHO) to strengthen the overall health system in Iraq. This grant will build upon WHO's on-going efforts in the country; the agency has been working with the Iraqi health authorities since 1947. This grant is part of USAID's planned reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people to help maintain stability, ensure the delivery of essential services, and facilitate economic recovery.
The health sector in Iraq has suffered from decades of deterioration in infrastructure, technical and managerial capacity, and weakened essential public services. Many Iraqis, especially women and children, are extremely vulnerable and are at greater risk for disease and infection. Under the terms of the grant, WHO will work with the Ministry of Health to identify and address the most immediate and short-term health needs of the population while also strengthening health sector policy and systems such as health information. Specific activities supported under the grant include monitoring diseases and health status, responding to outbreaks of communicable diseases, rehabilitating health facilities and laboratories, training health staff, and assisting in the management and coordination of donor support and health partners working in Iraq.
WHO will use both the Iraq Health Information System and non-traditional information sources such as surveys, rapid assessments and other studies to identify gaps in the Iraqi health system and prioritize activities. Technical expertise will be provided to the Ministry of Health at the local and national levels with the goal of strengthening the overall capacity of the Ministry of Health to manage the country's health system, including health policy analysis and strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation; management of human resources; service delivery, and administration of health institutions.
WHO is expected to coordinate with national health authorities and multilateral and donor partners including USAID in order to respond to overall health needs and gaps. This grant will serve to complement humanitarian efforts by addressing critical institutional development of the overall health systems.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
For more information on USAID's humanitarian relief efforts in Iraq, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq/.
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