Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05AMMAN5053
2005-06-23 11:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

AMBASSADORS' FUND FOR REFUGEES: FY 05 FUNDING

Tags:  PREF PREL EAID KPAL JO 
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231139Z Jun 05
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

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