Argentina - WHA FY-2006 ESF Anti-Trafficking

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000309 SIPDIS G/TIP FOR ANTHONY ETERNO WHA/PPC FOR MICHAEL PUCCETTI PRM FOR SONIA DENTZEL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PHUM ASEC ELAB SMIG AR SUBJECT: Argentina - WHA FY-2006 ESF Anti-Trafficking Project Proposal REF: 05 Secstate 221418 ¶1. The following anti-trafficking project proposal developed in coordination with the Regional Office of the International Organization for Migration is submitted by Embassy Buenos Aires for funding consideration from FY 2006 ESF appropriations per reftel instructions: ¶A. PROJECT TITILE: Prevention and Protection of Victims of Trafficking - Argentina - Phase II. ¶B. RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION: Regional Office, International Organization for Migration (IOM),Buenos Aires. ¶C. DURATION OF PROJECT: 12 months, ongoing. ¶D. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project will build on progress made under IOM's just- concluding, Department-funded project "Institutional Strengthening to Fight Trafficking in Persons in Argentina," and will make a significant contribution to the improvement of Argentina's capacity to provide protection, assistance, and reintegration services to victims of trafficking. IOM will work with and foster cooperation between governmental and non-governmental agencies, grassroots organizations, community based networks and local social services to: a) establish cooperative mechanisms with local partners for the implementation of an adequate protection service for trafficking victims; and b) provide assistance for the return and reintegration of trafficking victims by means of safe and secure temporary housing and counseling, enabling the recovery of normal activities. Principal partners will include the Ministry of Social Development of the City of Buenos Aires and the Ministry of Human Development of the Province of Buenos Aires, which will provide expertise and other in-kind resources and facilitate the effective participation of other government and civil-society agencies and organizations. The project will support the provision of medical and psychological care for victims, plus ensure that return, transportation, assistance, documentation, temporary housing and reintegration plans are coordinated with local organizations in places of origin. This will be achieved via the staffing, training and upgrading of a state-owned facility in Buenos Aires. This shelter will provide temporary housing in a safe, supportive and comfortable environment in which victims can begin reintegration and the recovery of their daily life activities. The shelter will be able to hold up to 50 victims, and will be staffed by a full-time psychologist, social assistant, physician, attorney and security staff in order to provide victims with voluntary return and reintegration assistance. The sustainability of the project depends on many factors, including the caseload of victims and federal and provincial government prioritization of counter-trafficking activities. IOM will promote sustainability and continue to involve current partners in its future projects addressing trafficking after the project finishes. ¶E. JUSTIFICATION: Mission Performance Plan: Democratic Systems and Practices: Strategic Goal: Democracy and Human Rights. Strengthening Argentina's democratic institutions, promoting transparency and accountability with active citizen participation in policy formulation, reinforces the rule of law and strengthens the social contract between the government and its citizens. Argentina is a Tier II country, recognized as not meeting the minimum international standards in combating trafficking in persons, but nevertheless making a good faith effort with limited resources to more effectively confront this international problem. This project proposal, "Prevention and Protection of Victims of Trafficking - Argentina Phase II," builds on IOM's ongoing project providing anti-TIP training for judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officials and other government officials. This next phase will provide much needed assistance to those most affected, the victims, and will serve as a catalyst for developing a network of assistance centers and professionals throughout the country. Assistance to and protection of victims is an essential first step in the investigation and eventual prosecution of traffickers and trafficking networks. ¶F. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: -- Drafting and implementing of Standard Operating Procedures for improved coordination among agencies facilitating the identification, protection, return and reintegration of victims of trafficking; -- 50 reintegration plans designed and agreed upon with the victims; -- Number of victims assisted; -- Number of victims that completed vocational courses; -- At least one agency identified and committed to undertaking the follow-up of the reintegration plan; -- Number of people trained in Shelter Management. ¶G. EVALUATION PLAN: IOM staff members will monitor the project's overall progress and submit semi-annual reports to the Embassy and Department as well as a final narrative, including recommendations for full project take-over by the local authorities. A final financial report will be submitted once the project has been completed. The deadline for the submission of this report will not exceed sixty days after the completion of the project. ¶H. BUDGET BREAKOUT: a. Budget total $297,322 i. Total administrative costs $70,800 ¶1. Staff costs (subtotal $40,800) ¶2. Project Coordinator $24,000 ¶3. Project Assistant $8,400 ¶4. Administrative/Finance Assistant $8,400 ii. Office costs (subtotal $30,000) ¶1. General expenses $30,000 b. Direct operational costs $208,200 i. Implementation support, Shelter set-up (total $104,300) ¶1. Human Resources (subtotal $66,600) a. Shelter manager $12,000 b. Psychologist $10,800 c. Social Assistant $6,300 d. Medical $7,500 e. Attorney $12,000 f. Security staff $18,000 ¶2. Shelter premises (subtotal $15,000) a. Reconditioning or enlargement of existing accommodation $15,000 ¶3. Equipment and supplies (subtotal $20,800) a. Furniture $10,000 b. Computer equipment $2,400 c. Premises maintenance/cleaning $3,600 d. Office supplies, consumables $1,200 e. Communications $1,200 f. Transportation $2,400 ¶4. Staff training (subtotal $1,900) a. Training course $1,900 ii. Victim Assistance (total $87,300) ¶1. Return Assistance a. Medical treatment $5,000 b. Meals $21,000 c. Hygiene items $2,000 d. Clothing $2,000 e. Documentation $5,000 ¶2. Reintegration assistance a. Air tickets i. International air tickets $15,000 ii. Border tickets $7,500 b. Reinstallation grants $7,500 c. Vocational training $5,000 d. Income generation activities $5,000 e. Miscellaneous supplies $1,500 ¶3. Monitoring of reintegration process a. Case follow-ups $10,800 iii. Coordinated network (total $13,600) ¶1. Travel expenses a. Air tickets $6,400 b. Subsistence allowance $7,200 iv. Monitoring and Evaluation (total $3,000) ¶1. Consultant $2,000 ¶2. Printing $1,000 c. Contingency (2%) $4,164 d. IOM administrative costs (5%) $14,158 ¶I. TYPE/AMOUNT HOST GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTIONS: GOA and Government of the City of Buenos Aires in-kind contributions, and other contributions to be determined. ¶J. FUNDING MECHANISM: G/TIP grant TO IOM ¶K. EMBASSY POC: Political Officer David Alarid, alaridda@state.gov, tel:(5411) 5777-4858, fax:(5411) 5777- ¶4234. GUTIERREZ