Nablus, West Bank — April 6, 2009 — Residents near Nablus on the West Bank were literally dancing in the street recently, celebrating a newly paved 3.2 km section of road that now connects two villages, Bureen and Urif.

The last time the road was rehabilitated was 35 years ago, and commerce and conflict had taken their toll since then. IRD, with funding from USAID, repaved the road, which will benefit an estimated 15,000 Palestinians. The construction work was subcontracted to Palestinian firms showcasing their capabilities and providing Palestinians with employment.

With the Bureen-Urif Road Project completed, farmers will be able to transport their produce, livestock, and home-made products to market in neighboring villages. In an area with many stone quarries, trucks and heavy equipment will be able to make pickups and deliveries faster, stimulating the economy and creating new jobs. Ambulances and humanitarian relief vehicles will also find the new road a great improvement.

The mayor of Urif thanked IRD, USAID, and the American people for the work and said he looks forward to future projects.

In the same area, IRD is also refurbishing the Bureen water system, laying 3.8 kilometers of new pipeline and 22 kilometers of distribution pipeline and constructing a booster station and a new 300 cubic meter water reservoir.