SOLICITATION FOR ESF ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000510 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/FO AMBASSADOR QUINN, S/CT, SA/A NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND, G/TIP, LINDA LEE CENTCOM FOR POLAD, CG CFA-A, CG CJTF-76 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM IR RS BO AF UNGA SEP SUBJECT: SOLICITATION FOR ESF ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECTS REF: STATE 221417 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. Post submits the following proposal from International Organization for Migration IOM) for Economic Support Funded (ESF) anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) project. This is a new project that will cover a ten-month period at a cost of USD 277,095. The target audience are journalists working for private and public media organizations, the Ministry of Women's Affairs at the central level and its regional branches. This proposal is supported by Post as it will enable Afghanistan to implement measures to improve the deteriorating TIP condition. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Key elements of the proposal are: ¶A. Title of Project: Counter Trafficking. ¶B. Name of Recipient Organization/Government Agency: International Organization for Migration (IOM). ¶C. Duration of Project: This is a new project that will last for ten calendar months. ¶D. Description: The project intends to create a sustainable link between the media in Afghanistan and the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA) to engage in mass information campaigns to reduce the exposure of women and children to dangers associated with human trafficking. It envisages the participation of MoWA/DoWA (Department of Women's Affairs) in reporting individual cases to law enforcement authorities and refering victims to appropriate agencies to receive assistance. It also seeks to create a reliable documentation and record system with wide reach to compile information on human trafficking in Afghanistan. The major components of this project include providing relevant training to members of the local media and organizing a training of trainers (ToT) to staff from all provincial branches of the Ministry of Women's Affairs (DoWA). The training will develop the capacities of the media and MoWA/DoWA in the identification of potential and de facto cases of trafficking. MoWA and its provincial branches (DoWA) will receive training to document and keep records on reported cases of human trafficking in their respective regions and refer victims to appropriate government and non-government actors, including IOM, to receive assistance. IOM will facilitate creating and sustaining the link between the two major actors and offer financial as well as technical assistance for the execution of joint activities. ¶E. Justification: Afghanistan is confronted with a significant human trafficking problem, as recognized by the June 2002 "Declaration of the Essential Rights of Afghan Women," which highlighted trafficking victims in its first section. According to the US Department of State June 2005 report, Afghanistan is categorized as a Tier II country - meaning that Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts. Available data indicate that Afghanistan is a country of origin of women and children trafficking for purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation, including prostitution. Reports show that, despite the numerous violations of human rights of victims of trafficking, very little legal redress is available to victims. Few traffickers have been convicted in the court of law in Afghanistan and the Government does not compile and keep records for cases brought to court/under investigation. There is also an absence of adequate and effective legislation that addresses the issue of trafficking, lack of investigation skills, delay of the courts in rendering judgment, and lack of awareness about human trafficking among the general public. ¶F. Performance indicators: - A week-long nationwide public information campaign against human trafficking jointly carried out by the media and MoWA/DoWA reaching a minimum audience of 50,000-100,000 people. - At least twenty-five public information materials on human trafficking produced and released to the public by trained media professionals. - At least one training session in counter trafficking for government partners, including law enforcement agencies, organized by MoWA's provincial branches (DoWA) in seventeen provinces and reaching a minimum of 340 participants. - Not less than forty victims of trafficking referred by trained MoWA/DoWA contacts to IOM or other service provider NGOs to receive various forms of direct assistance, including medical, social and economic support. - MoWA/DoWA begin to record and document reported cases of human trafficking at the central and regional levels. - A minimum of thirty human trafficking cases reported by the media to the public. - A minimum of forty suspected cases of trafficking reported to the authorities by MoWA/DoWA contacts who received IOM training. ¶G. Evaluation plan: IOM will assess the performance and monitor project progress in terms of its contribution towards the intended objectives on a quarterly basis and report to the donor. These reports will reflect the achievements, challenges, problems, solutions and alternative strategies arising during the project implementation. It will also identify operational difficulties and problem areas and propose necessary adjustments throughout the project period. The joint committee consisting of media focal points, MoWA/DoWA representatives and IOM will meet twice every month to review the performance of the project. At the end of the project period IOM will carry out a comprehensive evaluation in cooperation with the project partners. ¶H. Budget breakout: Grand Total = USD 277,095 - Total Staff Salaries = USD 91,500 - Total Office Expenses = USD 25,900 - Total Direct Operational Expenses = USD 21,580 - Total Training and Information Campaign Expenses = USD 119,920 - Total Contingency Expenses = USD 5,000 - Total HQ Overhead Expenses = USD 13,195 ¶I. Type and amount of host government contribution, or other cost-sharing agreement, if any: None. ¶J. Proposed funding mechanism: The donor is expected to cover the full cost of the project as detailed in the budget breakdown given in H above. ¶K. Embassy point of contact: The point of contact is Lilieth Whyte, Political Officer, US. Embassy Kabul, email: whytelr@state.gov. ¶L. Other Donors, if any: None. ¶3. (U) Comment. A copy of the proposal and budget breakout was forwarded to the Department on Feb 1. End Comment. NEUMANN