U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq - Provincial Reconstruction Teams

Babil

Much of Babil province is located in the valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and is a natural crossroads for travelers and pilgrims. In 2003, the population of Babil province was estimated at 1.4 million people. Babil province is also considered to be the cradle of civilization. During ancient times, Kings Hammarubi and Nebuchadezzar II ruled from city of Babylon, where ruins are located near the province’s primary city of Hillah.

PRT Babil coordinates capacity-building efforts to expand the provincial government's capacity to meet the needs of its people. The PRT is made up of representatives from the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as a U.S. military civil affairs unit, and a strong group of subject matter experts in areas including governance, rule of law, economic development and public diplomacy. The PRT focuses on developing sustainability, civil progress, and economic development through enhanced training and capacity-building educational opportunities. For example, PRT programs include educating farmers on modern techniques to raise poultry and fish, grow crops with less seed and fertilizer; teaching police, prosecutors and judges on the use of modern forensic evidence; and training engineers to implement the provincial water and sewer master plan. The PRT is also working with Iraqis to preserve the cultural heritage of Babylon.