Embassy of the United States

Helping Fallujah: Small-town America connects with war-torn Iraq
December 16, 2008 FALLUJAH, Iraq--The boy and girl enter quietly, shyly, into the large open space, drawn to the red, blue and yellow clothes spilling out of boxes. They tiptoe past the impossibly tall, combat-fitted Marines posting guard, then smile as members of the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) based here in this once war-torn city, beckon.

Fertile Ground: Reconstruction team promotes growth in Iraqi province.
December 7, 2008  Muthanna Province rarely makes inter-national headlines. Roughly the size of Maine, Iraq’s second-largest province is that nation’s least economically developed. A place where temperatures can reach upward of 140 degrees, unemployment is high and agriculture supports a large percentage of residents, Muthanna faces myriad challenges.

As Violence Abates Tikrit Library Sparks to Life
November 3, 2008 Tikrit, Salah ad Din Province -- The reading room in the Tikrit Library was usually empty but for a handful of university students studying or researching. Now with violence dropping the library is becoming a thriving learning center in the community for students of all ages.

New U.S. Partnership Boosts Iraqi Reconstruction
November 2, 2008 Baghdad – Helping rebuild Iraq ravaged by years of neglect and conflict got a boost recently thanks to a new construction agreement promoted by the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

PRT to help Iraqis Stretch Their Own Project Funding
November 2, 2008 Baghdad – With money literally in the bank thanks to growing oil revenues, Iraqis are increasingly supporting their own development while getting help from Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) to stretch funding through more efficient budget execution.

E-Learning conference held in Iraq
October 26, 2008 Al Kut, Wasit Province -- The first E-learning conference in Iraq was held at the Wasit University College of Education October 8 where professors from Wasit, Karbala, Najaf, Mayson, Dhi Qar, and Babil provinces discussed the role of “distance learning” in the Iraqi college system.

Mobile Health Clinic Takes Root in Rural Iraq
October 23, 2008 Kirkuk – Instead of coping with lingering fevers and other ailments that could eventually kill them, Iraqis in this rural province now have access to timely healthcare thanks to a partnership between the local Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and Iraqi health authorities.

PRT Furthers Strong Engagement with Iraqi Farmers
October 23, 2008 Muthanna Province – An American agricultural expert and his Iraqi counterpart, a senior Provincial official, were taken aback for a moment as they faced the prospect of “dipping” sheep, something neither had done before.

PRT Hosts Veterinary Program in Kirkuk
October 23, 2008 Kirkuk Province – An American veterinarian, who volunteered to share his knowledge and skills with his counterparts, has tackled an ongoing problem in Iraq -- the hindering effect on Iraqi professionals of years of conflict and lack of contact with the outside world.

PRT Friendship Market Will Boost Local Iraqi Economy
October 23, 2008 Al Hillah, Iraq – Because of years of neglect and conflict Iraqis have been denied what many in the West take for granted -- shopping for food in a clean and secure environment. That is about to change in Babil Province thanks to the effort of the local Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

Rule of Law Triumphs over Violence in Iraq
October 20, 2008 Baghdad – The triumph of rule of law over rule by violence was highlighted here with the recent celebration of the founding of Baghdad University’s law school more than three generations ago. On Oct. 20, 2008 the Baghdad University College of Law reached a milestone as it celebrated its 100th anniversary with more than 1,300 people in attendance.

Iraqi Children Jumping Onto Global Net Thanks to PRT
October 13, 2008 Muthanna Province – The Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) operating here in Iraq’s poorest province recently celebrated a milestone with the completion of an important phase of its One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) distribution program.

PRT Shares Iftar with Iraqis in Babil Province
October 13, 2008 Al Hillah, Iraq -- To mark the holy month of Ramadan, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for Babil Province recently hosted an Iftar dinner -- a time for renewing old acquaintances and making new friends – for more than 120 Iraqi guests.

PRT Assistance Center Gives Sadr City Residents New Hope
October 9, 2008 Sadr City – The lives of more than two million residents of this crowded district in the capital are improving thanks to recent outreach efforts by the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (EPRT) operating on the community level.

The Rebirth of Fallujah
October 9, 2008 Less than two years ago Fallujah was known as a city of death. Notorious as one of the most violent places in al Anbar province, the heart of the violent Sunni insurgency, its houses and businesses had collapsed into rubble, civic leaders were murdered in the streets, and its citizens cowered behind locked doors.

Iraqi Agriculture Officials Visit U.S. Farms
October 7, 2008 Diyala Province – Several agricultural officials from this rural province learned new production techniques while engaging with American farmers and their families on a recent trip to the United States arranged by the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

Iraq Expands Health Care with U.S. Help
October 7, 2008 Diyala Province -- A brand new Primary Health Clinic (PHC) began operation in Khalis September 28 following construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) marking the second new facility to open in Diyala in the past month with U.S. help.

Suicide Bomber Interviewed on Iraqi Radio
October 7, 2008 Diyala Province – Building the capacity of Iraqi media to provide news and useful information is beginning to pay off with innovative programming like Hathara Radio’s recent interview with young suicide bomber Raniya Ibrahim.

Iraq Women Contribute to Security as New Police Officers
September 29, 2008 Ashraf, Diyala Province – The Iraqi Regional Police Training Academy held its fourth graduation since its opening in May and this time a group participated that had been missing from any of the previous ceremonies. This time the graduating class contained women.

U.S. and Iraqi Doctors Teach Each Other
September 24, 2008 TIKRIT, Iraq—For the first time in years, 24 Iraqi physicians had the opportunity to learn new medical technologies, clinical techniques and life saving skills during the Salah ad Din Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and the U.S. Army’s 345th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) basic life support techniques course.

Salah ad Din Provincial Government Recognizes PRT
September 21, 2008 On Sunday, September 14, members of the Salah ad Din PRT were publically recognized and given certificates of appreciation for their work on Governance issues in the province. At the same time, the PRT officially transferred a new computer program it developed to help the provincial government manage its budget and contracting process.

Southern PRTs Reach and Teach Beyond Iraq’s Borders
September 17, 2008 On August 22, PRT Muthanna’s Senior Agricultural Advisor, Dr. Indu Chandra Ram, led a delegation of senior Iraqi officials from Muthanna and Maysan provinces on a 10-day research trip to India that focused on agricultural development. Dr. Ram first conceived of the idea of bringing Iraqis to his native India almost one year ago.

Salah ad Din Investigations Course Graduates Eighteen
September 17, 2008 On Thursday August 28, the TIPS Academy in Tikrit, Salah ad Din graduated eighteen Iraqi investigators from the Basic Criminal Investigators Course. The four-week course was supported by the Salah ad Din PRT, in conjunction with Multinational Division – North (MND-N), the Provincial Police Training Team, and the 320th MP Company.

PRT Brings Smiles to Iraq’s Most Vulnerable
September 3, 2008 Muthanna Province – Needy children with disabilities and orphans in Iraq’s poorest province had their lives brightened for an afternoon as they received attention and gifts, donated by the American public, from the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) operating in the region.