Community development (CARE/J)

PES covers the period 10/78-1/80 and summarizes an attached special evaluation based on document review, site visits, and interviews with villagers. The project is proceeding satisfactorily toward its goals. A total of 89 village health and agricultural subprojects (SPs) are being implemented in the most disadvantaged areas in Jordan"s five governorates and benefitting 50,697 persons. Examples of the types of SP"s being conducted in health are: the construction of village health and maternal child health (MCH) clinics; the improvement and protection of springs; and nutrition and health education. Agricultural activities include the improvement and development of arid and marginal lands through the construction of irrigation canals, establishment of micro-catchments, range improvements and range management techniques (e.g., fencing and terracing), and the introduction of pilot drip irrigation systems. Also, rural information surveys have been conducted to establish a system whereby data on rural areas are collected on a regular basis, analyzed, and used to identify rural needs. Targets have been exceeded for construction of village health and MCH clinics, nutrition and health education, and fencing and terracing projects. Progress has been slower for the improvement and protection of springs and for micro-catchments. Due to the inconsistency with which the SP"s are progressing, the number of planned SP"s has been adjusted. Project performance has been poor in two areas: the project personnel"s coordination of activities with Government of Jordan; and the delivery of technical supervision on construction SP"s. A key lesson learned is that A.I.D., when working in conjunction with a PVO, can successfully implement small SP"s which directly benefit the rural poor. (NE Bureau abstract)