AID cooperative agreement no. HNE-0159-A-00-2002-00 with Save the Children Federation, Inc. to undertake an integrated community development program for the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Economic development SPs will include efforts in the West Bank to: provide households with fruit tree seedlings for crop diversification and with fencing to protect the seedlings; and assist communities to improve their agricultural water resources. Resource conservation and community infrastructure SP"s will include efforts in the West Bank to improve community sanitation using subsurface drainage technique and to expand potable water resources, along with efforts in Gaza to extend neighborhood sewage lines and resurface rural dirt roads. An SP to test household renewable energy technologies will be undertaken in both Gaza and the West Bank. Health and education SPs will include training of physiotherapists and assistance to preschool programs and children"s libraries in both Gaza and the West Bank. In addition, a primary health care training and promotion SP will be implemented in Gaza. The SCF program will: (1) strengthen the organizational skills of community groups; (2) include a strong environmental emphasis; and (3) place emphasis on women"s participation as implementors and not just beneficiaries.