Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance
Abstract
Large-scale assistance programs are being undertaken by the United States following the war with Iraq. To fund such programs, in April 2003, Congress approved a $2.48 billion Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) in the FY2003 Supplemental Appropriation. In November 2003, the FY2004 Supplemental Appropriation provided an additional $18.4 billion for the IRRF. The FY2005 Emergency Supplemental, signed into law in May 2005, provided $5.7 billion in a new Iraqi Security Forces Fund (ISFF) for the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces. The FY2006 Emergency Supplemental, signed in June 2006, provides $3 billion for the ISFF and $1.6 billion for stabilization assistance. In February 2006, the Administration requested nearly $772 million for Iraq in its FY2007 foreign operations budget, including nearly $479 in ESF for traditional development aid programs. On June 9, the House approved H.R. 5522, providing only $305.8 million in ESF. On July 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported its version of the bill, meeting the overall Administration request figure. On June 28, 2004, the entity implementing assistance programs, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), dissolved, and sovereignty was returned to Iraq. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 of June 8, 2004, returned control of assets held in the Development Fund for Iraq to the government of Iraq. U.S. assistance is now provided through the U.S. embassy. Many reconstruction efforts on the ground are underway, but security concerns have slowed progress considerably. Of the roughly $34 billion in appropriated funds directed at reconstruction purposes, about 33% is targeted at infrastructure projects, and about 40% is used to train and equip Iraqi security forces. Numerous programs -- roughly 27% of appropriations -- are in place to offer expert advice to the Iraqi government, establish business centers, rehabilitate schools and clinics, provide school books and vaccinations, etc.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 29, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA472355
Entities
People
- Curt Tarnoff
Organizations
- Library of Congress