YAA'BAD, West Bank - The entire
village of Yaa'bad celebrated Wednesday the opening of new, American-funded
roads that will bring a fresh burst of economic activity to this once isolated
market town.
The U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) financed the $400,000 construction of three kilometers of new road
in Yaa'bad as a sign of America's commitment to support the democratically-elected
Palestinian leadership.
Yaa'bad, once an important commercial and social center for more than 13,000 farmers from surrounding villages, had become nearly inaccessible over the past three years. In order to reach Yaa'bad's market, area farmers had to cut through olive groves because the main road was in such poor condition it was nearly impassable.
USAID gave work on the Yaa'bad road "fast track" priority and the construction was completed in only 33 days, generating dozens of jobs for local workers.
A total of three roads were paved, including roads leading to the market, the school, the health center and the new municipality building, which is also being constructed with USAID funds. New sidewalks, median, curbstone and drainage were included in the project.
The Yaa'bad Main Roads Project is part of USAID's Emergency Road Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program-Phase 3. USAID will reconstruct another six roads in the West Bank and Gaza at a total cost of $12 million during the next few months. Construction work on roads in Tulkarem and Western Hebron is expected to begin next week
USAID has spent more than $1.5 billion in the West Bank and Gaza to combat poverty, create jobs, improve education, build roads and water systems, construct and equip medical clinics, and promote good governance.