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

Erbil, Dohuk, & Sulaymaniyah

Erbil

Bordering Turkey to the north and Iran to the east, the three mountainous provinces of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region -- Erbil, Dohuk, and Sulaimaniyah -- are governed by an autonomous regional authority, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). This autonomy is recognized under the 2005 Iraqi Constitution. RRT Erbil is headed by a senior State Department Foreign Service Officer along with 20 civilians from the Department of State, USAID, and the Department of Justice. With two satellite offices in the other provinces with locally-hired staff, the U.S. Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) in Erbil has a wholly civilian face. The RRT also employs 38 Iraqi Locally Engaged Staff, including an employee of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service.

RRT members perform traditional diplomatic functions such as political and economic reporting, representation, public diplomacy, and providing policy advice for economic development, as well as working to combat violence against women and improve human rights, strengthening rule of law and working to improve the climate for U.S. businesses. RRT staff work to develop capacity in areas of national unity, governance, economic development, and rule of law.

University of Human Development Seeks Cooperation with RRT and Exposure to U.S. Counterparts

PDO met with University of Human Development (UHD) President Dr. Keriwan, VP Dr. Hiwa, and the Dean of the College of Law and Politics in Sulaimaniyah on August 2 for a briefing on the institution and to discuss new ideas for partnership with the RRT.
United States Deputy Secretary of State Visits Erbil

Mr. Jacob J. Lew, United States Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources and a delegation including Ambassador Nancy J. Powell, Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, and Ambassador Peter Bodde, Assistant Chief of Mission for Assistance Transition in Iraq, from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, traveled for a one day visit to Erbil.
U.S. Supporting English Language Training for Zervany Officers

In a ceremony today at the Hiwa Language School, American Regional Reconstruction Team’s (RRT) in Erbil Assistant Regional Security Officer Mr. Douglas Patrick awarded certificates of completion to the Zervany security officers participating in a U.S. government-funded English language training program for six months.
First Class of Cultural Heritage Students Complete Coursework at Iraq Institute in Erbil

Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) Team Leader Andy Snow, the Embassy Cultural Heritage Specialist, and Erbil RRT staff participated in a small presentation of student work and a completion ceremony for the first group of students to graduate from the conservation course at the U.S.-sponsored Iraq Institute on May 27.
Internally Displaced Persons Graduate from U.S.-Funded Kurdish Language Program

At a lavish and, at times, boisterous May 24 ceremony at the KRG Ministry of Culture's Peshwa Hall, Andy Snow, the Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team Leader, joined Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi and four senior KRG officials to present certificates of completion to 480 adult students.
U.S. Supports Welfare and Integration of Orphans and Elderly

In a ceremony today at the Erbil Orphanage and Senior Center, U.S. Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team Leader Andrew Snow announced that the United States has provided IQD 311 million (USD 200,000) in the form of a grant towards the purchase of essential furniture and equipment to benefit the center's 300 young and elderly residents.
Students, U.S. Officials Celebrate Role of Journalists

At a ceremony today at the Dohuk Technical Institute, students and officials from the U.S. Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) celebrated the role of journalists in establishing and safeguarding a free and democratic society.
Erbil Team Leader Condemns Violence Against Women at Sulaimaniyah Conference

Andy Snow, Team Leader of the Erbil Regional Reconstruction, condemned the use of violence against women, calling it "barbaric and inhuman."
Library of Congress Trains Iraqi Librarians in Sulaimaniyah As Part of Country-Wide Training Visit

The Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team organized a visit by specialists from the Library of Congress (LOC) to the Kurdistan Region from April 2-9 for training and official meetings.
Erbil Overseas Security Advisory Council Holds First Meeting

The newly established chapter of the OSAC in Erbil hosted its first general membership meeting at the Erbil Speed Center.
English Course Certificate Ceremony

KRG Minister of Education & Erbil Governor participate in English course certificate ceremony.
RRT Erbil Highlights Projects Promoting Environmental Stewardship and Women’s Economic Integration

The Erbil PRT highlighted USG support for projects promoting effective environmental stewardship and women’s economic integration.
Ambassador Meets with Salahaddin University Students in Erbil

Ambassador Hill held a Town Hall meeting with 120 undergraduate students at Salahaddin University in Erbil.
RRT Erbil Facilitates Links Between American and Iraqi Students

Members of the Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) visited the Babil Primary School in Erbil to meet with students and teachers, and to establish a link between it and a U.S. school.
U.S. Supports Income Generation Project for Nomadic Women

U.S. Embassy Assistant Chief of Mission for Assistance Transition in Iraq Patricia Haslach on Friday toured the Citadel and its renowned Textile Museum during a visit to Erbil.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and RRT Erbil Open Hospital in Zakho

Dohuk Governor Tamar Ramadan and Team Leader Snow opened a new emergency hospital in the city of Zakho.
Dohuk University Launches New TOEFL Center with RRT Support

At Dohuk University, university officials and members of the U.S. Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) launched a new Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) testing and training center for students seeking advanced studies at English-language institutions abroad.
RRT Erbil Supports Language Training for Iraqis Displaced by Violence

Officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government and the U.S. Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team launched a new language training project to help Iraqis displaced by violence.
U.S. Provides Assistance to Flood Victims

U.S. officials toured the site of recent floods in northern Erbil Governorate, and met local authorities and families returning to their homes after being force to evacuate.
Post-War Art & Cultural Festival Excites Sulymaniyah

Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team Leader Andy Snow and Public Diplomacy Officers participated in the opening of the "Post-War Art and Culture Festival" in Sulimaniyah.
Erbil RRT Supports Mobility Aids for Handicapped Victims of War

Erbil RRT supported a much needed project to provide 320 wheel chairs, 300 toilet chairs, 400 crutches and 400 aluminum trusses to the War and Torture Victims Organization.
RRT Erbil Grant Helps Young Musicians Give Performance Symbolizing Unity

With support from a grant provided by the Erbil RRT, the Unity Youth Performing Arts Academy gave a gala concert performance at Peshawa Hall in Erbil.
“Picturing America” Exhibit Opens at American Corner in Erbil

RRT Team Leader Lucy Tamlyn opened the "Picturing America" exhibit at the American Corner at the Zaytun Public Library.
RRT Erbil Enables English Language Curriculum Evaluation Conference

The Kurdistan Region Minister of Education, Dr. Dilshad opened conference to evaluate the region's English language curriculum and textbooks.
American Corner Officially Re-Opened at Erbil’s Zaytun public library

A new American Corner was officially re-opened January 27 at Erbil's Zaytun public library.