U.S. President George W. Bush's administration in a highly unusual attempt to increase their funding for the re-building of Iraq, earlier this month launched a website which allows the ordinary citizen to submit charitable donations to fund various initiatives in the war-torn country.

Iraqpartnership.org is touted as another avenue which offers American citizens "a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq." According to Iraqpartnership.org, "This site is sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Global Giving. Projects are part of official U.S. Government assistance to Iraq". The website assures it's visitors that all donations are tax deductible and "will expand the scope of these programs and further empower the Iraqi people".

The website then offers seven specific projects from which to choose as the beneficiary of one's donation. Projects range from providing computers and teaching aids for regional business improvement centres in Iraq to improving Wheelchair access to government buildings. The eighth project is more generalized and is called "Iraq Country Fund" which is offered to those who wish to support a broader base.

Donors will not be provided with specific information on where their money is going or who will be benefiting from their money because of "security concerns".

The launch of the new initiative was officially announced by USAID on September 9 and in a later press release said, [The new website] "will help American citizens learn more about official U.S. assistance for Iraq and make contributions to high-impact development projects."

Critics of this latest fund-seeking government initiative have pointed out that Iraqi reconstruction has already cost over $30 billion of the taxpayer's money which is considerably higher than the originally projected cost of only $1.7 billion. The $30 billion already goes toward paying for the seven options listed on iraqpartnership.org .

Critics are also questioning whether Americans are willing to make charitable contributions to fund Iraqi initiatives when there is so much that needs to be done at home including the costly aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

A USAID spokesperson says that there is little advertising for this new initiative and expects most potential donors will happen upon the website as the result of a specific search for ways to support Iraqi redevelopment. As of last Friday, iraqpartnership.org has generated contributions of only $39.