Addendum Nomination for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2005

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001181 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM: TTARGOS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE: DROBINSON BELGRADE FOR DSALAZAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF HR SUBJECT: Addendum Nomination for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2005 REF: (A) STATE 27113 (B) Zagreb 246 (C) Selinger-Targos email ¶1. Post appreciates allocation of funds for two projects under PRM's Ambassador Refugee Fund. As per ref C, the refugee collective center in which an approved project was to be held will be closed by the GOC. Post is re-sending an alternative proposal and requests funding instead be allocated to this project. The project was identified in consultation with UNHCR and others. DONJI LAPAC PLAYROOM (USD 5000) ¶2. Background: The entire municipality of Lapac (354 square km, 2,300 inhabitants) previously had no functioning kindergartens until the Red Cross and Red Crescent established a playroom in 2003. The playroom is situated in a reconstructed building that was a destroyed high school. In 2004, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) financed the playroom but will discontinue funding in June 2005 for financial reasons. The playroom has proven able to fill the gap of a proper kindergarten. ¶3. Location Profile: Before the war, Donji Lapac was about 95% ethnic Serb. Most residents left during the conflict and the region was severely destroyed. The region is now a mixed community: an estimated 75% of the population is ethnic Serb while the remaining 25% is ethnic Croat (mostly Bosnian Croat settlers) ¶4. Recipient: Croatian Red Cross' branch office would supervise. ¶5. Project: As no kindergarten or playroom facility exists in the region, this facility serves as a valuable resource for the community. Currently 34 children are enrolled - 20 Croats (from settler families) and 14 Serbs (from returnee families). The playroom ethnic breakdown is the opposite to that of the ethnic structure in the Lapac municipality due to the fact that most Serb returnees are elderly and Bosnian Croat residents are usually young families. ¶6. Use of Funds: Funds would cover a teacher's salary to work part-time (four hours daily),including pension and health contributions. The current teacher is a social worker and has received praise from previous donors. The municipality pays for utility costs. Public Diplomacy: Post would highlight its support for an underdeveloped, war-affected region. FRANK NNNN