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Dear Sir , Has the policy been changed regarding the USAID since the emergency Government has Been appointed in Palestine . Thank you . Best regards . Isam

USAID supports President Bush's vision of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security. The Palestinian Authority now headed by Dr. Salam Fayyad is committed to the political platform of President Abbas, and it accepts the Quartet principles. We have, therefore, resumed normal working relationships with it. This year USAID will provide about $190 million to assist Palestinians to meet basic human needs, build their democracy and strengthen civil society, and develop the private sector. The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority rejected the Quartet principles of recognizing Israel’s right to exist, renouncing violence, and abiding by previous agreements. It could not be a partner for peace. Still the USAID program supported moderate Palestinians in education, municipal councils, civil society and private enterprise. We also worked with international organizations to meet the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.

Most of the Palestinian people realize the U.S assistance to Palestinian people is related to the political conditions, and that’s mean if Palestinian is not responding to what American government asking this assistance will stop! At the time U.S assistance to Israel are not limited to any conditions, and help Israel to build advanced Technology!!! Can you answer this??

All of the US Government’s economic assistance is given within the framework of the foreign policy of the United States. It is always based on conditions to which we and the recipient have agreed. This is true here in West Bank and Gaza as well as in Israel and all over the world. I have worked for USAID in Africa and in the Balkans, and it was equally true in those countries.

I would like Mr Sumka to comment on these two suggestions that i articulate from research and academic view points: 1- the U.S should be aware that the vision of viable palestinian state can not be achieved unless the Palestinian Authority is strong. therefore i do suggest that major Ameriocan funds should be channelled to the PA institutions including the security apparatus and forces because the events in the last month proved how much the PA is still fragile when its not respected by the Palestinians themseleves.

The United States is committed to the vision of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security. Strengthening Palestinian institutions is important to meeting that goal. The United States is the largest bilateral donor. Since 1993, we have provided more than $1.7 billion to assist the West Bank and Gaza. Our projects have built infrastructure, fought poverty, improved health and education, created jobs and promoted good governance. All projects included and still include efforts to strengthen Palestinian institutions. The United States has also made clear its support to Quartet envoy Tony Blair’s mission to strengthen Palestinian institutions in preparation for statehood. President George W. Bush announced in his July 16 speech the United States’ intention to provide $80 million as a direct contribution to the Palestinian Authority. These funds will help reform and strengthen the legitimate Palestinian security services. This will enable them to provide security and maintain law and order for the Palestinian people. Security assistance is the responsibility of other parts of the US Government, not USAID. USAID does everything possible to ensure that US taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. Our strict financial and administrative management systems require organizations that receive US funds to have strong accountability systems and to operate transparently. We support NGOs in accordance with approved programs and budgets. Our fieldworkers make sure implementers are doing the work in accordance with those programs.

Hello, I wish USAID clarifies the development on the - no contact policy- as it is not clear to us. Thanks

Between April 2006 and June 2007 the Palestinian Authority was controlled by Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. US government officials, therefore, could not have any contact with PA officials. Now US government officials can establish contact with any PA official who is not a member of a Foreign Terrorist Organization. We have resumed a normal working relationship with the PA in order to develop and implement assistance strategies to support their agenda.

My name is Sara Valerio and I am contacting you on behalf of the International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL) which is a non profit non governmental organization based in Hebron that targets young people between 15-35 years old. IPYL aims at empowering young Palestinians to face all the daily challenges that they have to encounter in their daily lives. We try to achieve this by a variety of activities, among them the media. I would like to know if there are any current funding opportunities, what are the fields, and the procedures to apply. Thank you. Sara Valerio IPYL Team

USAID constantly tries to understand the needs and aspirations of Palestinian youth. You comprise two-thirds of the population and represent the future. Just recently, I met with nearly two dozen Palestinian youth from all over the West Bank. They openly shared their thoughts on the status of Palestinian youth. They talked about the current mood, their concerns, and their hopes. We believe that youth are assets for their communities. They can help solve problems and be agents of positive change. They can and should be community leaders. Young women especially should be given the opportunity to contribute to their communities. USAID has a specific program to work with youth: Youth Volunteers for Community Assistance, known in Arabic as Ruwwad. It empowers Palestinian youth and prepares them for their future roles in the family, work and society. It looks at issues such as the media, rule of law, and community development from the perspective of young people. I encourage you to contact Ruwwad at 02-2403541. USAID targets youth and women in all its other activities. Please refer to our website: www.usaid.gov/wbg for information on how USAID programs address the needs of youth.