The following compilation of official U.S. assistance efforts covers the previous 5 years. Though not a comprehensive compendium, it is intended to provide an overview of the kinds of U.S. assistance provided and its distribution across the globe. This information will be updated on a regular basis (last update: February, 2008).
List of World Heritage Sites that Have Received U.S. Assistance
(Click on country name for a description of the assistance, on the World Heritage site for more information about the particular site, or the US Agency or NGO name to learn more about the listed organization. Note: This list only corresponds to the sites that appear on this page. For the whole list, please click here.)
COUNTRY
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WORLD HERITAGE SITE
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US AGENCY OR NGO PROVIDING SUPPORT
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Mexico
Sian Ka’an
The International Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (ICWRP), a public-private partnership consisting of the Gillette Company, The Nature Conservancy, the United Nations Foundation, and Coastal America committed in 2004 to providing $750,000 for ICWRP’s inaugural project to conserve freshwater, marine and coastal resources in and around Mexico's Sian Ka'an World Heritage Site. Coastal America is a partnership among federal, state and local governments and private alliances to address environmental problems along our nation's coasts. The federal partners are: Departments of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Navy, State, Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency and the Executive Office of the President.
Nepal
Kathmandu Valley (Durban Square)
Between 2000 – 2005 a total of $124,035 was provided by the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation through Embassy Kathmandu. 2003 ($22,392): Funds for the restoration of the Kalo Bhairav, a shrine built in the 17th century during the golden rule of Kathmandu. 2004 ($28,549): To support the restoration of Kageswar Mahadev Temple in Durbar Square, built in 1768. 2005 ($42,500): To support the restoration of the Lakshmi Narayan temple to its original design from the 19th century. 2005 ($30,594): To support the complete documentation and restoration of the Mahadev temples.
Pakistan
Taxila
In 2001 the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation provided $18,033 through Embassy Islamabad to conserve and restore the exposed stone walls around and opposite two major Buddhist stupa blocks in the ruins of Sirkap in Taxila. In 2005, the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation provided a grant of $32,887 for the conservation and restoration of a 4th - 5th Century Monastery, found within the district of Taxila.
Panama
Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo
During 2005, the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation provided $20,780 to support the restoration of three bridges which date from the 16th century. Only one bridge in Panama remains from the beginning of the Spanish colonial period. The bridges of Portobelo were constructed with materials unique to the region.
Peru
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
In 2005 the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation through Embassy Lima gave $20,041 to the renovation of the Chan Chan Site Museum to preserve the artifacts. The exhibit space, displays and interpretation will be redesigned and a security system will be installed.
Philippines
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation in 2007 provided $36,250 towards the development of a detailed guide for preserving and maintaining the Ifugao rice terraces, a World Heritage Site. This site was inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2001, and this grant will help provide much needed support to this area. International experts will collaborate in this effort, the results of which will have region-wide application.
Russia
Volcanoes of Kamchatka
DOI-ITAP, working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), provided training in concessions contracting to selected protected areas in the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. UNDP is engaging in a multi-million dollar joint effort to provide training and technical assistance to Kamchatka. In spring 2003, UNDP developed a needs assessment based on consultations and a workshop with stakeholders. Among the recommendations was to provide training in concessions contracting for protected areas. The Kamchatka Peninsula is globally recognized for its significant biodiversity resources and extensive intact wilderness ecosystems. Additionally, the region hosts a wealth of geothermal wonders, including 29 active volcanoes in a volcanic ‘spine’ that includes Kluchevsky Volcano, the largest active volcano in Eurasia and one of the largest in the world.
Serbia and Montenegro
Region of Kotor
1. The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation through Embassy Belgrade gave $30,600 in 2003 for the restoration and conservation of a section of the 6th century ramparts surrounding the fortress of Kotor that were badly damaged by a 1979 earthquake. In the Middle Ages this natural harbor on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro was an important artistic and commercial center with famous schools of masonry and iconography.
2. Separately, USAID launched a project to enhance water supply in three cities, including the coastal community of Kotor. The purpose of the project is to prevent wastewater overflows to the sensitive coastal and historically significant areas in Kotor. The improvements are critically needed to restore the infrastructure, provide substantially more water, safeguard public health, and support the tourism industry, a critical component of Montenegro's economy.
South Africa
Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs (Cradle of Humankind)
The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation through Embassy Pretoria provided $28,000 in 2003 to support heritage development at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site including the investigation of three archaeological sites. The funds also helped upgrade existing research facilities at the sites and added a number of small but vital infrastructure improvements to help protect the sites from the effects of increased tourism.
uKhahlamba/Drakensberg National Park
The US National Park Service provided technical support to a ranger from Drakensberg who visited the US to study natural sounds and airplane and helicopter overflight programs. The ranger was hosted in the US at the NPS Natural Sounds Program Center in Fort Collins, Colorado in the fall of 2006. He also received support during visits to Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon National Parks, and at the NPS Washington, DC Headquarters Office. With the completion of his study tour and his subsequent return to South Africa, he began writing overflight program guidelines for Drakensburg Park, a World Heritage Site.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
A sum of $44,100 was provided by the Ambassadors Fund to provide for the restoration of wall paintings in the Temple of Mut, located within the Gebel Barkal.
Tunisia
Medina of Tunis
The Ambassadors Fund awarded a $31,000 grant to support the digitization and organization of the photo archive of the Medina of Tunis, including the preservation of the images, and providing access to the collection. The older images have deteriorated rapidly from use and lack proper storage conditions. The collection contains over 9,000 slides and 50,000 photos dating to the 1920s and '30s. The images serve to inform preservation projects in the Medina.
Another $40,000 was provided by the Ambassadors Fund to support the restoration of the Ben Moussa Kuttab, also found within the Medina. This site was built in the 19th century. The Kuttab was originally a Koranic school attached to a mosque, but was taken over by the state and now serves secular purposes as a pre-school. An essential element of the Medina, originally there was 137 throughout the Medina and today only sixty remain.
Kunya-Urgench
One grant of $15,059 was provided by the Ambassadors Fund to support the preservation and investigation of the Ak-Saray-Ding Tower. The tower is the only remaining structure built circa 11 A.D. and is now part of a Muslim pilgrimage site. It is urgent to document and preserve the tower to prevent further deterioration.
Another grant of $14,200 was awarded by the Ambassadors Fund in the same area to enable the preservation of Sultan Takesh Mausoleum, a famous Islamic monument in Central Asia. The mausoleum dates from the 8th century Khorzem Empire and is located along the ancient Silk Road. Project activities include an archaeological survey of surrounding areas, reconstruction of the dome's decorative outer shell, master classes in tile making, and education programs. The deterioration of the dome is rapidly approaching an irreversible stage.
Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
DOI-ITAP, with funding from the African Wildlife Foundation, provided technical assistance in tourist infrastructure, park interpretation and fire management to park staff at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Park staff were trained in tourist infrastructure, park interpretation and fire management.
Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya)
In the African region called "Four Corners," four countries meet near the spectacular Victoria Falls: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Fostering coordination and developing a coherent circuit for tourists as well as corridors for migrating wildlife are priorities under the African Wildlife Federation's Four Corners initiative funded by USAID/Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA). DOI-ITAP assessed the project and provided recommendations to address project needs.
