Syria Essential Services Q4 Performance Report

The project operates under the U.S. government policy objective of transitioning the Assad regime and degrading and defeating ISIL. The project's objective is achieved through three components: restoring essential services, building the capacity of Syrian partners and communities, and stabilizing communities through emerging windows of opportunity. The project provides technical and material assistance through grants to communities in Syria, based on priorities established through community assessments. These grants focus on the repair and rehabilitation of essential services, including water, electricity, sewage systems, public use buildings, agricultural infrastructure, and market access. The project also provides technical assistance, training, and material support to Syrian communities and partner organizations to enhance and sustain the restoration of essential services. In the second quarter of 2015, the project focused on accelerating the volume of communities assessed. New activities were based on new assessments, utilizing new equipment purchased under bulk procurement or equipment inherited from the USAID/Essential Services South (ESS) pilot project. The project's second quarterly work plan covered the period from July 1-September 30, 2015, which corresponds to Q4 of FY 2015. The situation in Dara'a, Quneitra, and Rif Damascus has been fluid, with developing political agendas and military operations affecting the area. The opposition has made significant advances in Quneitra, but the regime continues to fight back to regain losses. In Rif Damascus, the regime has been heavily attacking towns, resulting in a significant number of casualties. The opposition has made advances in Harasta, Jobar, and Daria, but the humanitarian situation in the area has deteriorated. The project's accomplishments in Q4 include conducting 32 community assessments and facilitating 32 town hall meetings. Of the 32 assessed communities, the project has identified vetted individuals in 21 communities and is pending identification in 11 communities. The project has also requested and received local concurrence and PVS vetting for additional communities and individuals. The project's focus is on communities for which it has identified suitable partners, but it has also extended its reach into areas where vetted persons have not yet been identified. The project's implementation is contingent upon the opposition's successes in liberating further areas in Syria. The project's expansion is also dependent on the opposition's ability to maintain control over areas it has liberated. The project's activities are driven by levels of programming in new areas and the pace at which the vetting process evolves. The project's focus is on restoring essential services, building the capacity of Syrian partners and communities, and stabilizing communities through emerging windows of opportunity. The project's work in Q4 has been focused on accelerating the volume of communities assessed and implementing new activities based on new assessments. The project has also continued to provide technical assistance, training, and material support to Syrian communities and partner organizations. The project's accomplishments in Q4 demonstrate its commitment to increasing stability in opposition-influenced areas in Syria and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances in the region.