Democracy and Governance

• Publication of Manual on Uniform Judgment Procedures for West Bank Civil Courts:  The Civil Judgment Uniform Procedures Manual was finalized and 1000 copies were produced for distribution to all court clerks in the West Bank.  The publication was made possible through the Rule of Law, Justice and Enforcement Program, implemented by DPK Consulting. The manual was produced through a cooperative effort between the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) staff, court clerks, and the project team.  It establishes uniform procedures for all civil judgment departments within the West Bank.  These efforts support the project's goals to improve court administration, case management systems and other services provided to the public by the courts.
  
  
• A New Guidebook for Legal Education Program with Al Quds University Law School:  The Rule of Law, Justice and Enforcement Program, implemented by DPK Consulting, helped to finalize and produce 1000 copies of the Al-Quds University Law School Guidebook.  The guidebook  features background and historical information on the Al-Quds University School of Law, its faculty and students, alumni, departments, programs, and curricula, and will be used as reference for students, visitors, and donors.

Water Resources and Infrastructure

• Southern West Bank Receives Potable Water through a New Water System:   The $9.3 million Tarqumia Water System Project was completed and handed over to the Palestinian Water Authority by USAID.  The project was implemented under the Infrastructure Needs Program, implemented by MWH Americas Inc. and APCO/Arcon.  This new water system west of Hebron in the southern West Bank provides potable water to over 30,000 residents in the city of Tarqumia. The project includes 11.2 kilometers of transmission line, a new 1,000 cubic meter reservoir at Beit Aula, rehabilitation of the 1,000 cubic meter Tarqumia Reservoir, and 8.5 kilometers of distribution pipe. The project was also designed to supply water through new FY09 projects to the neighboring rural cities of Idna, Al Kom, Deir Sammit, and Beit Awwa. The water projects will benefit over 66,000 residents.  The $300 million Infrastructure Needs Program is an initiative that provides infrastructure assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank. With a first year funding of $80 million, USAID implemented 17 projects which included construction of 7 schools, 63 km of asphalt roads, and 2 water system projects.
  
  
• New Road in Hebron Improves the Movement of Palestinian Goods:  USAID completed the Wadi El Quf - Halhul Road Project and handed it over to the Palestinian Authority after a final walk through with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.  The project was built under the Infrastructure Needs Program, implemented by MWH Americas Inc. and APCO/Arcon. The new 9.5 km road cost $5.2 million and is a vital link for the movement of goods and products from the rural eastern Hebron District cities of Halhul, Kharas, and Surif to the Tarqumia Crossing Terminal. The work included excavations, new asphalt, a storm water system, and road safety features such as cat eye markings, traffic signs, and guardrails. The work also included installation of over 4 km of water pipe along the road in Halhul to improve water distribution for the city.  The road will be used for an estimated 580,000 vehicle trips per year.

Youth and Education

• Two Scholars Return from the U.S. to Gaza:  Two PhD scholars from Gaza, who received assistance through Palestinian Faculty Development Program (PFDP) implemented by AMIDEAST and the Open Society Institute, returned home from the U.S. before the Moslem holiday Eid Al Fitter. They successfully completed their coursework and comprehensive exams in public administration at the University of Akron and will be working on their dissertation research in Gaza.  Prior to their arrival, the two scholars spent three weeks in Jordan waiting for a permission from the Israeli authorities to cross the Allenby Bridge into the West Bank and from there to Gaza.  Currently, a total of five scholars from Gaza are pursuing PhD degrees at U.S. universities sponsored by PFDP.  PFDP is a seven-year program, which aims to improve the quality of education at institutions of higher education through various forms of training and mentoring.