PRM AMBASSADORS' FUND REQUEST FOR PALESTINIAN

UNCLAS AMMAN 003992

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM/ANE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID KPAL JO
SUBJECT: PRM AMBASSADORS' FUND REQUEST FOR PALESTINIAN
REFUGEES IN JORDAN

REF: A) 02 STATE 66319
B) POLASCHIK/LEVIN JUNE 23 TELCON


1. SUMMARY: AMBASSADOR REQUESTS USD 20,000 UNDER THE PRM
AMBASSADORS' FUND FOR REFUGEES IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO
BUILD A 177 SQUARE-METER ADDITION TO THE WOMEN'S PROGRAM
CENTER AT JERASH REFUGEE CAMP. THE ADDITION WILL ALLOW
THE CENTER TO ESTABLISH THREE INCOME-GENERATION PROJECTS
(WITH A PROJECTED INCOME OF USD 250 PER MONTH) AND EXPAND
ITS EXISTING DAYCARE PROGRAM TO SERVE AN ADDITIONAL 30
CHILDREN. THE INCOME-GENERATION PROJECTS WILL INCREASE
THE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE WOMEN'S CENTER AND
ENABLE IT TO EXPAND PROGRAMMING AND TRAINING
OPPORTUNITIES TO AN ADDITIONAL 35 WOMEN PER MONTH. THE
PROJECT ALSO WILL FURTHER OVERALL USG REFUGEE GOALS OF
STRENGTHENING AND PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY. WITH ONLY
NOMINAL UNRWA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUCH WOMEN'S
PROGRAM CENTERS, THIS PROJECT RESPONDS TO A CRITICAL GAP
IN REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN JORDAN. PER REF B, WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEADLINE FOR OUR SUBMISSION HAS BEEN
EXTENDED TO JULY 3. END SUMMARY.


2. THE WOMEN'S PROGRAM CENTER (WPC) IN JERASH REFUGEE
CAMP WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1989 WITH SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT
FROM UNRWA. ALTHOUGH IT RECEIVES A MODEST SUBSIDY FROM
UNRWA (USD 6,000 PER YEAR),THIS INDEPENDENT, COMMUNITY-
BASED ORGANIZATION RELIES ON THE FEES CHARGED TO COURSE
PARTICIPANTS AND DAYCARE CLIENTS TO COVER ITS RUNNING
COSTS. THE JERASH WPC DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES
TO COVER A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. THE CENTER PROVIDES
VOCATIONAL TRAINING (SEWING, COMPUTER AND HAIRDRESSING
COURSES),DAYCARE, FITNESS AND LEGAL AID PROGRAMS IN
ADDITION TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS WORKSHOPS. 1,500 WOMEN
PARTICIPATE IN THE CENTER'S PROGRAMMING EACH YEAR. A
DYNAMIC AND WELL-ORGANIZED VOLUNTARY BOARD OF NINE WOMEN
GOVERNS THE CENTER, AND UNRWA PROVIDES TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTER. MOST OF
JERASH CAMP'S RESIDENTS ARE ORIGINALLY FROM GAZA AND
THEREFORE INELIGIBLE FOR JORDANIAN CITIZENSHIP, A
SIGNIFICANT SOCIO-ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE.


3. PRM FUNDING IS REQUESTED TO CONSTRUCT A 177-SQUARE
METER ADDITION TO THE JERASH WPC. THE ADDITIONAL SPACE
WILL ALLOW THE CENTER TO ESTABLISH THREE INCOME
GENERATION PROJECTS (COMMERCIAL SPACES THAT WILL BE
LEASED TO PRIVATE BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THE CAMP'S FIRST
PRIVATE FEMALE PHYSICIAN) AND A 50-SQUARE METER ADDITION
TO ITS DAYCARE CENTER, ENABLING THE CENTER TO SERVE AN
ADDITIONAL 30 CHILDREN. THE INCOME GENERATION PROJECTS
ARE EXPECTED TO GENERATE USD 250 OF REVENUE FOR THE
CENTER, STRENGTHENING THE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CENTER. THE WPC WILL USE THE
ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO INCREASE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
WOMEN, TO HOLD ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS ON LEGAL AID AND
WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND TO ORGANIZE NEW PROGRAMMING FOR THE
CAMP'S YOUTH. THE WOMEN'S CENTER WILL CONTRIBUTE USD
1,400 OF ITS OWN FUNDS TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS. A
CONTRIBUTION OF USD 20,000 IS REQUESTED TO COVER THE
REMAINING CONSTRUCTION COSTS.


4. JERASH CAMP'S WPC WOULD IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT,
INCLUDING CONTRACTING AND SUPERVISION OF ALL CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES. REFCOORD WOULD MONITOR THE PROJECT. POST HAS
THE AUTHORITY AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO TRANSFER THESE
FUNDS TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT AGENCY.


5. PER REF B, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEADLINE FOR OUR
SUBMISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 3.

GNEHM