Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN5642
2004-07-08 12:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

PRM AMBASSADORS' FUND FOR REFUGEES: FUNDING

Tags:  PREF PREL EAID KPAL JO 
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081206Z Jul 04
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005642 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM/ANE

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

REF: A. STATE 4483


B. WARD/POLASCHIK E-MAIL OF 6/28/04

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005642

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM/ANE

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

REF: A. STATE 4483


B. WARD/POLASCHIK E-MAIL OF 6/28/04


1. Ambassador requests $40,000 from the PRM Ambassadors'
Fund for Refugees to support two projects: a women-only
internet cafe at the Women's Program Center in Baqa'a refugee
camp ($20,000) and expansion of the legal aid office and
women's rights awareness program at the Women's Program
Center in Wihdat refugee camp ($20,000). Both projects would
fill critical gaps in refugee assistance, providing
much-needed financial support to refugee community-based
organizations and promoting PRM cross-cutting goals of gender
equality and protection. Per ref b, we understand that we
can submit two proposals this year, to take advantage of the
funds Embassy Tel Aviv is unable to use in Gaza. We also
understand that the deadline for submitting proposals has
been extended to July 8. Descriptions of the projects follow.

--------------
WOMEN-ONLY INTERNET CAFE IN BAQA'A CAMP
--------------


2. The Women's Program Center (WPC) at Baqa'a camp seeks
$20,000 in funding to build a women-only internet cafe on the
top floor of its center and equip the cafe with ten
computers, a printer and a server. The WPC Executive
Committee reports that women and girls in Baqa'a camp do not
take advantage of the camp's existing four internet cafes due
to cultural prohibitions against mingling with men in public
spaces. Based on preliminary surveys of interest, the WPC
believes that 400 women and girls would use the cafe each
month. The cafe would be open from 10 am until 6 pm (longer
in the summer) and would charge 350 fils (roughly 50 cents)
per hour of internet usage. The cafe would also sell drinks
and small snacks to the internet users. The WPC will use
$5,050 of its own funds to purchase five computers, ten
computer tables and the initial ASDL subscription. The U.S.
contribution would pay for construction costs, purchase of
another five computers, a server, a printer and chairs. WPC
leaders believe the internet cafe would not only be
self-sustaining but would also generate income for the
center's other programs, netting an estimated 900 JD (USD
1,260) per year in income for the center. The project would
fill a critical gap in IT programs in Palestinian refugee

communities and also further U.S. goals of promoting gender
equality and greater access to information technology.


3. Established in 1987, the Baqa'a WPC is an independent,
community-based organization with quasi-NGO status. It is
governed by an eight-person board and has appropriate
financial and management controls in place. It receives
technical assistance, including in financial and management
oversight, from UNRWA. The Baqa'a WPC currently offers
training in basic computer literacy to 13 women per month in
a small, outdated computer lab. It also offers separate
classes in hairdressing, sewing and fitness, as well as
daycare, legal aid and group lending programs. The center
recently began a job-networking club for women in the camp.
The center serves 1,200 women per month and supports its
programming through rental income from two commercial spaces
in the camp.


4. Estimated Budget (in USD)

Embassy Contribution:

Project Plan Design 650
Engineer 1400
External Construction 5700
Internal Construction 5700
One Printer 400
Network Server 1000
Five Computers 3500
10 Chairs 300
Contingencies (6.75 percent) 1350
TOTAL: 20000

Baqa'a WPC Contribution:

Internet Subscription 850
Five Computers 3500
10 Computer Desks 700

Total Cost of Project: 25050


5. Baqa'a 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 funds to the intended
recipient agency.

-------------- --------------
LEGAL AID OFFICE FOR WOMEN'S PROGRAM CENTER AT WIHDAT REFUGEE
CAMP
-------------- --------------


6. One of the most active and self-sufficient
community-based refugee organizations in Jordan, the Wihdat
Camp Women's Program Center (WPC) seeks $20,000 to expand its
legal aid services and women's rights program. The WPC would
use U.S. funding to equip its new legal aid office and
conduct 20 women's rights awareness programs in Jordan's ten
refugee camps. With its own funds, the WPC would hire two
additional attorneys (bringing total on-staff to four) who
would conduct the women's rights awareness programs and offer
legal advice to the seven camps that currently do not have
legal aid offices. The WPC has nearly completed the physical
expansion of its legal aid office, using $11,200 of its own
funds to build new office space.


7. Separately, the WPC will use funds from four new income
generation projects (commercial spaces in the heart of
Wihdat's bustling commercial center) to establish a "Trust
Fund" for community-based organizations that serve refugees
in Jordan's nine other camps. Administered jointly by UNRWA
and representatives from the ten camps, the Trust Fund will
invest still more seed money into new commercial space in
Wihdat camp; rental income from these spaces will then be
distributed among the other refugee camps to help their
community-based organizations become financially independent
and increase their capacity.


8. The expanded legal aid program is therefore just one
element of Wihdat WPC's outreach and capacity-building
program for other community-based organizations throughout
Jordan. The project would be sustained in following years
with revenue from the WPC's existing income generation
projects. The project would fill a critical gap in funding
for community-based women's rights programs and would also
work toward strengthening and building the capacity of other
refugee community-based organizations, a key recommendation
from UNRWA's Geneva Conference. The project would also
further PRM cross-cutting goals of refugee protection
(through promoting awareness of women's rights and expanding
access to legal advice) and gender equality.


9. Established in 1987, the Wihdat WPC is an independent,
community-based organization with quasi-NGO status. It is
governed by an eight-person board and has appropriate
financial and management controls in place, including
technical assistance from UNRWA. In addition to the legal
aid program, the center offers courses in hairdressing,
sewing and computer literacy, as well as a daycare program
and income generation projects. It serves 2,000 women in the
eastern and southern parts of Amman.


10. Estimated budget (in USD)

Embassy Contribution:

Women's Rights Programs 14000
Secretary 2000

SIPDIS
Office Furniture 1800
Cleaning Staff 1640
One Computer 560
TOTAL: 20000

Wihdat WPC Contribution (in USD)

Two New Attorneys 11256

Total Cost of Project: 31256


11. Wihdat WPC would implement the project, including the
contracting of new staff for the legal aid office. Refcoord
would monitor the project. Post has the authority and
procedures in place to transfer funds to the intended
recipient agency.
GNEHM