CURRENT ACTIVITIES

North Sinai Initiative: Water resources are fundamental in addressing challenges to human health, economic development, and security. This project improves the access to and quality of clean drinking water for approximately 300,000 residents in North Sinai, and improves access to wastewater services for approximately 100,000 residents who do not have access to sanitation services. USAID partners with the Government of Egypt’s Holding Company for Water and Wastewater to construct 14 deep wells, 1seawater desalination plant, 6 groundwater plants, 3 water reservoirs, and potable water distribution lines, as well as the procurement of 50 trucks for water distribution and 20 for wastewater removal. These activities, combined with pre-existing infrastructure, will provide sustainable access to safe drinking water for the governorate’s 450,000 residents.

Promoting Civic Education among Youth in North Sinai: This project promotes volunteerism, leadership, and participation in decision-making processes among North Sinai youth. With USAID partner El Gora Community Development Association, a youth volunteer center was established in Al Gora Village in Sheikh Zweyed District. Center staff support and train young people to constructively participate in their communities. Approximately 900 community volunteers have participated in training to collectively plan, design, and implement projects that respond to community-identified priorities. An additional 2,400 young community leaders have participated in workshops which encourage youth representation in tribal community decision making. Support to Victims of Al Rawda Terror Attack: USAID is providing relief services through the Egyptian Red Crescent for families impacted by the terrorist attack on the Al Rawda mosque in November 2017. This includes critical support that allows widows to earn income for their families, such as handicraft training and provision of looms and other supplies. This project also offers psychosocial support for children whose family members were victims of the attack.

Improving Maternal, Child, and Health Nutrition Services: Community Health Workers serve as a vital connection between Egypt’s health system and rural and urban communities in North Sinai by raising awareness of health issues, detecting harmful health practices, promoting healthy behaviors, and serving as a resource to members of their community. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population, USAID trained 24 Community Health Worker supervisors from North Sinai governorate. In turn, these supervisors are training all 143 Community Health Workers in the governorate who will serve approximately 81,000 households (about 83 percent of all those North Sinai). This is part of a nationwide program to train all 14,000 Community Health Workers in Egypt.

U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative: Since 2015, 36 high-achieving students from underserved communities in North Sinai have received full scholarships to pursue undergraduate studies in fields critical to Egypt’s economy. Students study at private and public universities in Egypt and also receive training to increase their English language proficiency, access to internship opportunities and business/entrepreneurship experience, and, an ability to participate in study abroad programs in the United States.

Early Grade Learning: In response to the Government of Egypt’s education reform goals, USAID supports teacher training in North Sinai to improve teaching methods. This government-to-government project, combined with USAID-funded technical assistance, has helped train 76 kindergarten teachers and 496 elementary school teachers (grades 1-3) from North Sinai in the newly developed curriculum. This project has also trained 614 teachers to improve the quality of remedial reading instruction for students in grades 4-9. This training is part of a nationwide program that shifts focus from rote memorization to development of critical thinking and other important skills, such as teamwork, among Egyptian children.