Improving Government Services in the West Bank

Improving Government Services in the West Bank

Inauguration of a Citizen Service Center and Multi-Purpose Hall in Al Yamun, Jenin Governorate 
Al Yamun, West Bank – On November 18, the Al Yamun Municipality, the Ministry of Local Government, the United States Agency for International Development, and its implementing partner Global Communities, celebrated the inauguration of a new Citizen Service Center and a Multi-Purpose Hall which will serve the 20,000 residents of the town.  Al Yamun is located in the Jenin governorate, nine kilometers northwest of Jenin city.
The Citizen Service Center, a centralized location where citizens can access a variety of vital services and engage with their local municipality, is an important step for providing better services for the growing population of Al Yamon. USAID partnered with Al Yamun municipality to enhance citizens’ access to these important services and invested more than $120,000 to establish the Citizen Service Center.  In addition to the construction of the center itself, USAID provided IT equipment and training for staff to enhance their logistical and professional capacities.  USAID also invested more than $300,000 to construct the Multi-Purpose Hall to provide a suitable space for a wide range of activities and will also serve as a source of income for the municipality. Al Yamun municipality contributed $100,000 to the construction of the Multi-Purpose Hall. These projects generated 3,676 days of employment.
Since 2011, USAID has constructed and renovated more than 101 community infrastructure projects, including schools, community centers, and roads to 69 towns and villages in the West Bank.
At the inauguration ceremony, the Ministry of Local Government’s Deputy Assistant Mr. Mohammed Jabareen commented on the importance of the Citizen Service Centers in not only improving the quality of life of citizens, but also in putting the local government on the path towards an e-municipality. 
Al Yamun Mayor Naser Abu Na’em expressed his appreciation for the partnership between the Al Yamun Municipality, USAID, and Global Communities. He also stressed the importance of these two projects in enhancing the municipality’s ability to meet its citizens’ needs in a transparent and effective way.
“The United States remains committed to continuing to address the needs of the Palestinian people. We are pleased to partner with Al Yamun municipality to support them with providing better services for its residents” added Dave Harden, USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission Director.
Global Communities Country Director Lana Abu Hijleh highlighted that Global Communities, funded by USAID, has worked with local governments on establishing Citizen Service Centers. Since 2010, USAID has completed 20 Citizen Service Centers including the Citizen Service Center in Al Yamun and seven additional centers are slated for completion by 2015.
The U.S. Government, through USAID, is the leading provider of bilateral development assistance to the Palestinians, having provided more than $4.6 billion since 1994 for programs in the areas of democracy and governance; education; health and humanitarian assistance; private enterprise; and water resources and infrastructure.