Nominations for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2006

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000642 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ACE: ROLSON DEPT FOR EUR/SCE: JMITCHELL, BBELL BELGRADE FOR SCHEEVER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM HR REFUGEE SUBJECT: Nominations for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2006 REF: STATE 41367 ¶1. Post is pleased to submit project proposals for PRM's Ambassador Refugee Fund. Projects were identified in consultation with UNHCR and others. Post has the authority to award such grants to recipients this fiscal year. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT KNIN AREA ACCOMMODATION CENTER (USD 5000) ¶2. Background: Until October 2005, the Austrian Red Cross provided assistance through the Croatian Red Cross for medical assistance to returnees residing in the Temporary Accommodation Center in Strmica, near Knin. Similar assistance was also provided to returnees in the greater Knin area. There are currently 41 residents at the Strmica Center, who are considered extremely vulnerable. The Center provides only the most basic needs of shelter and food to returnees who are awaiting either reconstruction or repossession of their homes. No other medical care is available to the individuals, many of whom are elderly and without other resources. Since funding ended last fall, a doctor has been providing occasional services on a voluntary basis. The vast majority of returnees are ethnic Serb. The greater Knin area, which was predominately ethnic Serb before the war, is now of mixed ethnicity. Knin Residents are Bosnian Croat settlers (50%),Croat (20%),and Serb (25%). Recipient: Croatian Red Cross, with whom Post has successfully worked in the past. Project: A medical doctor will pay visits to the facility twice a month, providing general medical examinations, prescribing medication, and writing recommendations for specialist examinations where needed. Additionally, the doctor will accompany, if needed, Croatian Red Cross mobile teams on field visits to returnees who have not yet obtained health insurance, again providing examinations and other necessary services. The project provides and opportunity to demonstrate continued USG support for the return of refugees. Use of Funds: Funds will be used to provide regular medical visits to the temporary accommodation facility and to residents in the greater Knin area for a period of six months. Funds will be used to provide specialist examinations and medicines where necessary. WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT AND RECONCILIATION IN GRACAC (USD 5000) ¶3. Background: Located in Zadar County, Gracac is a war- affected area that is ethnically mixed. Prior to the war the town was ethnic Serb. The town of 4,000 residents is largely comprised of Bosnian Croat settlers (50%) and ethnic Serbs. Unemployment is estimated at 35%. Recipient: PROSPERO is a local NGO based in Gracac that focuses on empowering women of different ethnicities to become self-reliant. They offer training opportunities for self-employment, within the context of cooperation and reconciliation. Project: PROSPERO plans to offer a series of workshops on producing wool products. Workshops will be offered to at least 30 female residents, and would enhance self- employment opportunities for hard-to-employ women in the area. The workshops will be offered for eight hours per week for three months. The project is an excellent opportunity to highlight USG's support for interethnic tolerance, cooperation, and community-building. Use of Funds: Funds would be used to purchase two additional looms and provide training in weaving to women. PROSPERO currently owns one loom. FRANK