BACKGROUND
	PROJECT OBJECTIVES
	CURRENT STATUS

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) manages several development projects in the West Bank and Gaza. Due to the regional outbreaks of violence and the consequent dangers to U.S. employees, USAID is unable to travel in the West Bank and Gaza to assess the facts on the ground.

The objective of this activity was to assist USAID/West Bank and Gaza with the implementation and design of water and sanitation programs in the West Bank. The activity was broken into six components. For five of the components, Water Resources Program Phase II, WRP Phase III, Village Water and Sanitation (VWS) Program, Abu Dis Bethlehem Wastewater Treatment, and Gaza Desalination facilities, DAI will provide assistance to USAID on existing programs.

As part of this assistance to USAID, DAI reviewed strategic plans and objectives like the Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) and provided technical oversight, project monitoring and advisement to current contractors on their designs and construction of water facilities. DAI also reviewed feasibility studies of engineering and financing options for USAID water activities, as well conducted damage assessments on site.

In the sixth component, DAI served as a representative at security coordination meetings. These meetings were held in Ramallah twice monthly with Israeli Military officials, PWA, USAID, and contractors. These meetings resolve, for example, the necessary permit requirements for construction in the security zones of the West Bank.