Embassy of the United States

Clean Water Running More Freely in Qalat Salah
November 12 AMARAH - More than twenty thousand Qalat Salah residents now have greater access to clear water thanks to the partnership between the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and the Maysan provincial government.

U.S. Provides Assistance to Flood Victims
November 9 U.S. officials today toured the site of recent floods in northern Erbil Governorate, and met local authorities and two families returning to their homes after being force to evacuate along with scores of others.

Post-War Art & Cultural Festival in Sulymaniyah a Resounding Success
November 7 On November 7, Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team Leader Andy Snow and Public Diplomacy Officers participated in the opening of the "Post-War Art and Culture Festival" in Sulimaniyah.

"The Golden Vote" - Election Scene-setter
November 6 A scene-setter to generate positive attention on the upcoming elections, Babil PRT organized several productions of "The Golden Vote" as performed by the "Mud House Players," which were just competed this week.

Kirkuk PRT Helps Empower Women's NGOs Speak out to Help Local Women
November 5, 2009 Members of the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and colleagues from the U.S. Army Brigade stationed in Kirkuk joined well over 85 participants -- including representatives from the Directorates of Olympics, Youth and Sports, Education, and Immigration in Kirkuk as well as local and international NGOs

Baghdad ePRT North Hosts Youth Activities for 5,000 Students
November 5, 2009 Three youth programs sponsored by Baghdad embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team North attracted 5,061 students, including roughly 2,000 girls, from August through October 2009.

Erbil Staff Visit American Corner
November 3 On Tuesday, November 3, RRT Public Diplomacy Officers and visiting PRT Salahaddin PD Officer Linda Byron visited the Zaytun Library American Corner.

Kirkuk PRT joins DG of Education and the community in Chemin to celebrate
November 3, 2009 The Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq joined the Deputy Director General of Education Ms Fawzia Abdullah Awanis, Principal of the Chemin School Mr. Luqman, and the students and families of Chemin village on November 3, 2009, in a ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new school building.

Tikrit University Visit
November 3, 2009 The David Stewart, Team Leader for the Salah ad Din Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), and Brett Bruen, Public Diplomacy Officer, called on Ali Saleh Hussein Saleh Al Jabouri, the recently appointed President of the University of Tikrit.

Anbar Hosts First International Trade Fair
Nov 1, 2009 The Ramadi Business Center hosted the grand opening of the first Anbar International Trade Fair on November 1.

U.S. Ambassador Visits Basra Province
OCT 15, 2009 In his first visit to Basra Province, US Ambassador Christopher Hill met with Governor Shiltagh Abud al-Mayah, Provincial Chairman Jabbar Amin Jabbar, and Deputy Chief Judge Abdulkhalik Umran Al Faris.

Journalists Capture Drought, Archaeological Sites
October 11, 2009  Two Army Blackhawk helicopters touched down at Joint Security Station Soto early on the morning of October 11th to pick up ten Muthanna reporters, loaded with cameras and notebooks, eager to take their first ever helicopter trip.

Basra PRT Expands Availability of Water in Basra Province
October 9, 2009 The Basrah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) conducted the grand opening for a potable water distribution point at Camp Bucca, Iraq, today. The Water Distribution Point is available for authorized tanker to fill-up, transport and deliver drinking water throughout Basrah Province. The PRT is reviewing options to extend the distribution of water

Visit of U.S. District Judge
October 4-9, 2009 Judge Robert W. Sweet, a senior U.S. federal judge serving on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, visited Iraq October 4-9.

Ninewa PRT Celebrates “Sustainable Partnerships”
October 3, 2009  The Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) held a celebration called "Sustainable Partnerships - Building toward the Future," recognizing the reopening of the Al Baraka Market and the start of the Ninewa 'Zero Tillage' Agricultural Conservation Program. The event was held on Saturday, 3 October at the Ninewa Operations Command in Mosul

PRT Diwaniyah Distributes Book Bags, School Supply as "Good Neighbors"
October 1, 2009 The Diwaniyah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) began program to distribute book bags and school

Basrah PRT Supports Efforts to refurbish Water Treatment Plants in Dry Basrah Re
September 28, 2009 The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has awarded $2.5 million in contracts for the refurbishment of R-Zero, Al Maqil, Bradia, Jubalia and Ribbat Water Treatment Plants. The projects, conducted at the request of the Government of Iraq, are intended to help relieve critical shortages of water in the Basrah region.

Maysan PRT and U.S. Military collaborate to provide medical training
September 28, 2009 A cadre of Maysani doctors, nurses and administrators are receiving specialized medical training thanks to the joint efforts of the Maysan PRT and the 945th Forward Surgical Team (FST) and Charlie Med 121st Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) medical units stationed at Camp Garry Owen in Maysan.

US Supports Opening of New Port Of Entry for Wasit Province
September 26, 2009 A ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 26th, in Wasit Province marked the opening of the newly renovated Zurbatia Port of Entry.

Basra PRT, Government of Iraq Work Together to Bring Water to Iraqis
September 18, 2009 The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and the 17th Fires Brigade kicked off today a $500, 000 project to deliver 500,000 liters of water daily to the city of Abu Al Khaseeb. This project was initiated at the behest of the Government of Iraq in response to an immediate shortage of water throughout the southern regions of the Province.

Ninewa PRT Greenhouse Program offers Iraqi farmers a glimmer of hope
September 18, 2009 In Qaraqosh, Iraq, another local association is a step closer to helping improve Iraq’s agricultural sector. The association is one of many benefitting from the Greenhouse Demonstration Program, a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) based grassroots capacity building program which allows winners of a lottery to receive a greenhouse.

ePRT Baghdad North Joins with PAS Baghdad to Train English Teachers
September 17, 2009 Twenty teachers of English as a Foreign Language, six of them women, received five days of instruction in the "Shaping the Way We Teach English" program in a course sponsored by Baghdad ePRT North.

PRT Basra Completes Successful "Goats for Widows" Program, Looks to Expand It
September 15, 2009 The Basrah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has completed the first round of its "Goats for Widows" program, a US-funded initiative designed to give widows a means to support themselves and contribute to their communities.

PRT Basra Supports Al Amah Deaf and Mute Society
September 13, 2009 The Basra Deaf and Mute Society "Al Amah" trains young women to sew and make handicrafts like stuffed animals. To expand the society's training program, the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) provided new manual and electric sewing machines to the organization, which then distributes them throughout Basra province.

Girls at the Rumaytha Al Amal Deaf Institute Receiving New Hearing Aids
September 13, 2009 Put your iPod earbuds in. Now put your hands over your ears and block out everything until you can hear nothing but silence. Try to communicate with your coworkers, try to order dinner at a restaurant. This is daily life for the students of the Rumaytha Al Amal Deaf Institute.

Babil PRT Delivers Water Tankers to Combat Cholera
September 12, 2009 On behalf of the people of Babil Province, Governor Salman Al-Zargany accepted the keys to seven brand new 10,000 liter water tanker trucks from Dr. Rick Roberts, Team Leader for the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

PRT Maysan Distributes Food to Needy Families During Ramadan
September 08, 2009 PRT Maysan, in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development and the Maysan Provincial Council, on September 8 distributed 275 food baskets to poor and indigent families in Ali Al Gharbil in northern Maysan Province.

Anbar PRT Hosts Ramadan Iftar
September 7, 2009 The Anbar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) hosted a Ramadan Iftar at the Provincial Government Center...

PRT Reconciliation Iftar Helps Foster Understanding
September 3, 2009 In the spirit of advancing reconciliation and mutual understanding in a divided province, PRT Ninewa sponsored a highly successful “Reconciliation Iftar”. Approximately 100 political, military, business, ethnic, and non-government Ninewa leaders and guests attended.

PRT Karbala Hosts Iftar
September 2, 2009 The Karbala PRT hosted an iftar dinner at a downtown restaurant in Karbala on September 2 for over 110 guests...

PRT Muthanna Remembers the Less Fortunate in Ramadan
September 1, 2009 The religious holiday of Ramadan is a time to remember the less fortunate, and PRT Muthanna was honored to be able to take part in this tradition. Working together with the Mayors and City Councils of the respective cities, PRT Muthanna and its military colleagues handed out chickens and packets of dry goods...

Muthanna Continues Tradition of Journalist Engagement and Training
September 1, 2009 Far away from Iraq's capital, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)for Muthanna Province continues to provide development assistance and training across all levels of society. Recently, members of the team continued a series of important engagements with some of Muthanna's journalists.

Good Neighbor Initiative
August, 27, 2009 The U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Karbala on July 22, 2009 presented the Husayniyah Youth Center with much needed sports and recreation equipment for the 500 youth that utilize the center.

Friendship Market Supports Local Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
August 21, 2009 Al Hillah, Iraq – Local government officials in Iraq’s Babil province are revitalizing neighborhoods to meet the daily needs of local residents.

Road Upgrades to Benefit 200,000 Commuters Daily
August 21, 2009 Al-Hillah, Iraq -- Babil Governor Salman Al-Zargany and Babil PRT Team Leader Rick Roberts were the guests of honor at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of extensive repairs and upgrades to Al-Hillah’s 80th Street.

Maysani Engineers and Agricultural Scientists Benefit from PRT-Sponsored Course
August 21, 2009 AMARAH – Fifteen professional engineering and agricultural staff from the Maysan Directorate of Agriculture, Directorate of Water Resources, and the Agriculture Extension participated in a four-day technical training course – “Improving Maysan Agriculture through Better Water and Soil Management.

Deputy Governor Engineer Fo'ad addressing the conference
August 16, 2009 Ramadi - Ninety-seven Anbar-based contractors attended a workshop August 16 at the Ramadi Business Center to enhance their skills in negotiating

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Highlights
August 13, 2009 The renovation of two roads in central Karbala, a joint project of the United States and the Karbala government, will bring immediate economic benefits to the neighborhood’s residents.

Kirkuk welcomes Gabriel Escobar, and bids fond farewell to departing Team Leader
August 11, 2009 The Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq will very sadly bid farewell to its long-time leader, Mr. Howard Keegan on August 12, 2009, who hands over the reins to his newly arrived successor, Mr. Gabriel Escobar.

Team Ninewa Assists with Medical Airlift
August 9, 2009 PRT Ninewa, with the help of Forward Operating Base Marez military personnel, recently assisted with the medical evacuation of thirty nine (39) Iraqi citizens. The evacuees were those most severely injured by the August 7 terrorist bombing at a Shiite mosque in Northern Mosul.

Erbil RRT Utilizes Supports Mobility Aids for Handicapped Victims of War
July 30, 2009 Erbil RRT supported a much needed project to provide 320 wheel chairs, 300 toilet chairs, 400 crutches and 400 aluminum trusses to the War and Torture Victims Organization in the Kurdistan.

PRT Diyala Organizes Training to Build Capacity in Essential Services
July 30, 2009 When Diyala PRT members recently discovered a brand new Vactor sewage pumping truck parked near local government offices, unused and apparently neglected, they immediately knew what they had to do.

Maysan PRT Invests in Six Maysani Courthouses to Support Electricity Needs
July 29, 2009 Six districts in Maysan now have functioning generators to ensure continuous power for their courthouses thanks to the Iraqi-American partnership. The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) invested a total of USD 280,750 on the main and district courthouses with the bulk of the investment in equipment.

Training for Maysani English Teachers
July 29, 2009 AMARAH, IRAQ – Twenty-five Maysani English teachers travelled to Dhi Qar for two days of intensive language training sponsored by Maysan’s Department of Education, the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), and the U.S. Embassy.

Qadisiyah University Partners with the University of Bridgeport, CT
July 28, 2009 At a ceremony held at the PRT, Diwaniyah PRT Team Leader Michael Klecheski presented representatives of Qadisiyah University

PRT Dhi Qar Receives Warm Welcome in al Bath'a
July 27 Dhi Qar PRT Team Leader, Dr. Anna Prouse, visited victims of the al Batha'a bombing in their homes accompanied by the Chief of Police and his media crew. The local population believes firmly that the four victims would have perished had the PRT not intervened and taken care of them during the long night after the bombing.

PRT Diwaniyah Assists City Schools to Receive Upgrades
July 26, 2009 Diwaniyah PRT members visited the Khadeeja School for Girls, as well as the Dijla School for Boys, to take part in ceremonies marking the completion of much needed refurbishment projects.

Archeologist Visits PRT Salah ad Din to Highlight Cultural Heritage Issues
July 26, 2009 Diane Siebrandt, the Embassy's Cultural Heritage Officer, paid a one-week visit to PRT Salah ad Din to conduct archeological assessments with officials from the Iraqi Board of Antiquities. They also spoke to military officers about the importance of protecting cultural objects.

PRT Dhi Qar Brings English Language Training to Province
July 25, 2009 Following a visit by Ambassador Christopher Hill to the region, Dhi Qar PRT's Cultural Affairs Section, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, organized a five-day professional development training program for thirty enthusiastic, local English teachers.

RRT Erbil Grant Helps Young Musicians Give Performance Symbolizing Unity
July 19 With support from a grant provided by the Erbil RRT, the Unity Youth Performing Arts Academy gave a gala concert performance at Peshawa Hall in Erbil before the KRG Minister of Culture, the diplomatic corps, a half dozen Kurdish language television outlets and an enthusiastic young audience of 250.

"Picturing America" Exhibit Opens at American Corner in Erbil
July 2 RRT Team Leader Lucy Tamlyn opened the "Picturing America" exhibit at the American Corner at the Zaytun Public Library to coincide with the July 4th Independence Day celebration. The opening was also attended by the Library Director, students, and university faculty, and received extensive media coverage.

Babil PRT Hosts Independence Day Reception for Iraqi Guests
July 2  A broad range of approximately 120 Iraqi contacts from government, civil society and the media attended Babil PRT's annual reception to celebrate the anniversary of American independence.

PRT Muthanna Helps Fund Festival of Peace and Tolerance
June 30, 2009 The Festival of Peace and Tolerance, a program to engage young boys and girls in sports and other activities and supported by the Community Action Program, an NGO supported by a grant from the Muthanna PRT, and the Government of Iraq, reached its final stage June 30 in the town of Samawa.

PRT Najaf and the Iraqi Journalists Union Host Celebrations
June 15, 2009 The Public Diplomacy Officer for the Najaf Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Robin Diallo, joined with Iraqi journalists in support of press freedom by participating in two celebrations to mark Iraqi Press Freedom Day.

PRT Babil Sponsors Performances on "Sense of Democracy"
April 25, 2009 The Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team sponsored two performances in Babil of the play "Sense of Democracy," the newest production by the celebrated Iraqi comedic group Mud House.

Only women! Dhi Qar PRT Has Health Day for Women
April 21, 2009  The Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) hosted a Women's Health Day at Mittica Training Centre on April 21.

PRT Dhi Qar Develops Computer Skills for Young Lawyers
April 10, 2009 The Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) completed the final lesson in a specially designed computer course for young lawyers today. During the two-month course funded by the US government, which was implemented via a grant to the NGO "Jurists without Borders,"

Muthanna PRT Joins Hands with Local Doctors
April 7, 2009  The Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) together with Coalition physicians began a program to work with local Iraqi doctors to raise their basic medical skills.

US Helps Prepare Farmers in Ninewa Province in Better Business Practices
April 6, 2009  The Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), with a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), supported The Women's Empowerment Organization, a local NGO, to conduct a three-day workshop this week for a group of farmers in Tal

British Consulate General and Basra PRT Co-Host High Level UK Trade Delegation
April 6, 2009 The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) joined hands with the British Consulate General and the Basra Investment Commission (BIC) to host a high-level UK Trade Delegation April 6, 2009 led by the UK business secretary, Lord Peter Mandelson.

PRT Babil Hosts Workshop on Investigative Reporting
April 6, 2009  The Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) hosted 17 leading print and broadcast reporters working from Babil province for a three-day workshop April 4-06 April on investigative journalism. The workshop was facilitated by American journalist Jerry Kammer.

Maysan PRT and USAID Launch Computer Aided Design Training
April 5, 2009 Twenty-three Maysani engineers representing eleven different Director General (DG) offices began their first week of an AutoCAD (Computer Aided Design) training sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

US and Iraqis Open Vehicle Lanes to Enhance Traffic Movement
April 2, 2009 In a sign of improved security n the region, the 54th Engineering Battalion held a ground breaking ceremony April 2 for construction to reopen two lanes of Baghdad Highway 1 to public vehicular traffic.

New Fish Hatchery Inaugurated in Diwaniyah
April 2, 2009  The Diwaniyah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) joined with staff and students of Diwaniyah's Agricultural High School in the inauguration of its fish hatchery.

Najaf PRT Supports NGO Efforts with Widows
March 30, 2009 The Najaf Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has provided a grant to the Al Hurria Women's Center to build greenhouses and train widows so they can develop a means for sustainable incomes.

PRT Ninewa Prepares teachers for "My Arabic Library"
March 09, 2009 The Ninewa Provincial reconstruction Team (PRT) this week successfully trained 75 teachers from primary schools in Mosul in preparation for delivery of "My Arabic Library" classroom library sets.

Project Smile Fights cavities in Wasit Province
March 09, 2009 As part of the USAID-funded Project Smile in Wasit province, the Wasit Ministry of Health conducted a training program to share project information with dentists and other health workers from across the province who will be involved in executing the activity.

PRT Diwaniyah Marks International Women's Day
March 08, 2009 The Diwaniyah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) joined with one of the province's most effective NGOs to hold a ceremony to celebrate International Women's Day and pass out graduation certificates to some 40 participants of a PRT-sponsored training program.

Dhi Qar Marks International Women's Day
March 08, 2009 The Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Cultural Affairs Advisor participated in an International Women's Day

PRT Ninewa Plays Music for Peace
March 7, 2009  The Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) assisted in organization of a reconciliation concert that included Christian and Arab members of the Mosul Institute for Fine Arts, a brass quintet from the United States 25 Infantry Division Band, and two members of a local Yezidi band.

PRT Muthanna Supports Small Businesses with Micro Grants
March 6, 2009 The Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and it U.S. military partners collaborated to issue micro-grants to eight people (four women, four men) who had participated in small business training either at the Nasiriyah Small Business Development Center or via business workshops held at Camp Mittica.

PRT Babil Sponsors English teaching Workshop
March 06, 2009  The Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) hosted a week-long English Teaching Methodology Workshop for 20 Babil English-teaching professionals to promote and strengthen English education as part of the PRT's provincial economic development strategy.

PRT Muthanna Supports Local Female Artists
March 05, 2009 The Muthanna Provincial reconstruction team (PRT) is partnering with the local NGO "Public Awareness Organization" to produce the first art exhibit of 40 female artists in Muthanna Province, entitled "Colors of Warka."