PRM 2006 AMBASSADORS' FUND PROPOSAL FOR

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002199 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ANE AND NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM KWBG SUBJECT: PRM 2006 AMBASSADORS' FUND PROPOSAL FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN GAZA CAMP REF: STATE 041367 ¶1. (U) Summary. Post requests that PRM consider funding a Gaza Strip refugee camp project under the Ambassadors' Fund for Refugees program (reftel). The proposal requests USD 21,740 to support a project by the Palestinian NGO, Palestine Save the Children Foundation, to educate Palestinian women residing in the al-Maghazi refugee camp (population, 22,000 refugees) on sewing skills and management training for small-scale enterprises. End summary. Proposed Grant Recipient: Income Generation Project For Sewing Factory in Gaza's Maghazi Camp -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Palestine Save the Children Foundation (PSCF),a Palestinian NGO established in 1999 to promote development among refugees and other disadvantaged communities in Gaza, is proposing a non-formal education and income generating project for women residing in the al-Maghazi refugee camp. The project, which would be conducted in coordination with the al-Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society, would involve the establishment of a sewing factory for women that would include the necessary equipment, tools, and accessories to be used for future production activities. Prior to launching the factory, approximately 120 women would be provided training courses in advanced sewing skills and management of small-scale enterprises. Modest wages for the instructor would be provided in the budget. The PSCF believes that the project would increase the number of women wage-earners to provide support for needy Palestinian families facing immediate financial problems. The project would also include awareness workshops to instruct the women on gender and women rights issues. ¶3. (U) The project would include the formation of a local management committee to oversee project implementation, followed by the hiring of a sewing instructor and purchasing of the necessary equipment. Training in sewing skills and management of small-scale enterprises would last approximately 10 weeks, and would include two weeks of awareness workshops on women issues. The remainder of the project would focus on developing the women into marketable seamstresses, and using their finished products as income to continue operations beyond the completion of the one-year project. The Budget: USD 21,740 -------------- ¶4. (U) The budget breaks down as follows: -- Purchase of equipment including electrical sewing machines (10),chairs (10),sewing accessories, rental and electricity fees: USD 13,540. -- Fees associated with sewing instructor, project coordinator, sewing training courses, and awareness workshops: USD 8,200. -- Total: USD 21,740. Monitoring and Oversight -------------- ¶5. (U) Due to USG restrictions on travel to Gaza by American staff, ConGen oversight of the al-Maghazi Camp project would be conducted by a local employee of the PD section who resides in Gaza. Post has the authority and procedures in place to transfer funds to the intended recipient. Stevens