AMBASSADORS' FUND FOR REFUGEES: FY 05 FUNDING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005053 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PREL EAID KPAL JO SUBJECT: AMBASSADORS' FUND FOR REFUGEES: FY 05 FUNDING REQUEST FOR JORDAN REF: STATE 27113 ¶1. Embassy Amman received applications from twenty-three Jordanian organizations seeking to participate in this year's Ambassadors' Fund for Refugees initiative (reftel). The Charge requests USD 17,450 to support a project by the Zahr Al Basateen Charity Association to establish a physiotherapy center in Jordan's second largest refugee camp (Wihdat). The project would fill a clear gap in existing UNRWA health programs and be self-sustaining. If the Department cannot fund this project, or if additional funds become available, post requests that the Department consider funding an UNRWA community-based organization's proposal to create a women-only business center/internet cafe in an informal Palestinian refugee camp in Madaba. Project descriptions follow. PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTER IN WIHDAT CAMP -------------- ¶2. The Zahr Al Basateen Charity Organization (AKA Thekreen Association),a Jordanian NGO registered with the Ministry of Social Development, currently provides low-cost specialized dental and gynecological services to refugees in Jordan's Wihdat Camp (AKA Amman New Camp),which houses 50,600 Palestinian refugees and is the second largest refugee camp in Jordan. The Thekreen Association is seeking USD 17,500 to establish a new physiotherapy center in its existing health clinic that would target children with cerebral palsy and elderly paraplegics as well as refugees requiring physical therapy to recover from accidents. UNRWA operates several primary health clinics in Wihdat but is unable to provide specialized therapy. To ensure this project's sustainability, Threkreen plans to charge JD 3-5 per patient, depending on the individuals economic status and health conditions. With these nominal fees, it estimates that it can generate JD 600 annually, which would cover an estimated JD 400 in annual running costs. It plans to use any profit to start expanding its physiotherapy services to other refugee camps in Jordan. ¶3. Thekreen is governed by an elected board and has a volunteer health committee composed of doctors accredited with the Ministry of Health. It has established financial controls in place. One board member, a trained physiotherapist certified with the Ministry of Health, would direct the new physiotherapy center. ¶4. ESTIMATED BUDGET (in USD) USG CONTRIBUTION: Electrotherapy Unit 2,786 Ultrasound Therapy Unit 1,900 Portable Combined Electrotherapy 3,000 and ultrasound unit Hydroclatter and Hot Packs 1,571 Paraffin Wax Unit 885 Shoulder Wheel 643 Muscle Strengthening Unit 1,714 Infrared Unit 614 Paedriatic Set (standing frame, 3,571 gymnastic ball, crutches, walkers) Couches 314 Wheelchairs 428 Total: 17,426 WOMEN-ONLY BUSINESS CENTER/INTERNET CAFE IN MADABA -------------- -------------- ¶5. The Women's Program Center (WPC) in the informal Madaba camp seeks USD 17,150 to establish a women-only business center/internet cafe that would support an existing micro-credit lending program and offer a safe internet facility for female students above the age of 12. The Madaba WPC reports, based on a preliminary interest survey, that internet facilities in Madaba are limited and that refugee women in this Palestinian refugee community of about 10,000 residents, established in 1956, do not patronize existing facilities due to cultural prohibitions against mingling with men in public spaces. Because the Madaba WPC does not have access to UNRWA-owned buildings, it plans to establish the cafe in a rented commercial space and charge nominal fees to recover its operating costs after the first year. The project would further U.S. goals of promoting gender equality and access to information technology. ¶6. The Madaba WPC was established in 1985 and is an independent community-based organization with quasi-NGO status. It is governed by an elected board and receives technical assistance, including financial and management oversight, from UNRWA. It has established financial controls. In addition to its micro-credit loan program, the Madaba WPC currently offers sewing and handicraft courses and legal counseling. ¶7. ESTIMATED BUDGET (in USD) USG CONTRIBUTION: 10 Computers 5,714 Internet Subscription 1,000 20 Chairs/10 Tables 1,000 10 Printers 1,429 Network Server 1,000 First-year Technician Salaries 1,714 First-year Hall Rental 1,714 Administrative Office Furniture 2,143 Stationary/CDs 1,429 Total: 17,143 HALE