Guinea Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) Annual

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000793 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/RSA, AFR/SD/DG E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PHUM KDEM GV SUBJECT: Guinea Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) Annual Status Report -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. This cable serves to meet the requirement that all posts submit a DHRF annual status report covering all obligations and un-liquidated balances of open DHRF activities. END SUMMARY. -------------- PRIOR FISCAL YEAR FUNDS -------------- ¶2. FY 2005 AMT. OBLIGATED UNLIQ. BALANCE DHR-05-001 23,000.00 USD 0 USD Status: Project is completed and closed out. DHR-05-002 7,402.00 USD 0 USD Status: Project is completed and closed out. DHR-05-003 10,617.00 USD 0 USD Status: Project is completed and closed out. DHR-05-004 12,637.00 USD 0 USD Status: Project is completed and closed out. DHR-05-005 12,911.00 USD 0 USD Status: Project is completed and closed out. DHR-05-006 8,433.00 USD 0 USD Status: Project is completed and closed out. All other projects from FY05 and prior years have been liquidated. -------------- CURRENT FISCAL YEAR -------------- ¶3. FY 2006 AMT. OBLIGATED UNLIQ. BALANCE DHR-06-001 12,000.00 USD 6,000.00 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-002 17,000.00 USD 8,000.00 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-003 6,800.00 USD 2,000.00 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-004 9,500.00 USD 0 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-005 14,000.00 USD 0 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-006 6,700.00 USD 0 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-007 5,500.00 USD 2,750.00 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. DHR-06-008 6,700.00 USD 3,350.00 USD Status: Waiting for advance liquidation. -------------- Political Environment Disrupts Activities -------------- ¶4. This fiscal year, the Guinean political landscape has undergone historic transformations. A series of general strikes and associated violence resulted in the suspension of activities throughout the country. When calm was restored, there was a long period before activities returned to normal. In some communities, where property destruction and divisions were most acute, life has yet to return to normal. In this difficult national environment, all project organizers are finding it very hard to carry out their programs. ¶5. In addition to the uncertainty caused by political upheavals, there has been a dramatic drop in the value of the dollar in relation to the Guinea franc. In September 2006, at the time of the contract signing 1USD = 6000 GNF. By the time we reached the disbursement process, 1USD = 3050 GNF. Because all of the contracts were calculated in dollars, this massive currency depreciation has caused many of our projects to face severe funding shortfalls. In this context, the communities have sought additional funding and have made increased contributions. We expect that despite the challenges, all the projects will be successfully completed. -------------- CONAKRY 00000793 002 OF 002 Signing and Project Management Training -------------- ¶6. Post organized an innovative half-day training session for self-help project managers the morning of the contract signing ceremony. The workshop consisted of presentations by USAID staff on implementing a results-oriented framework for project analysis and evaluation and Peace Corps staff briefings on how to address challenges in the project implementation process. The Special Projects Coordinator made a presentation on project implementation guidelines for new project grantees with topics that included: 1) Review of the IAA; 2) How to procure materials for your project and accounting; 3) Planning project implementation; 4) Avoiding project failure; and 5) Brainstorming solutions to commonly faced problems. Workshop participants found the training extremely valuable and promised to use the guidelines to effectively carry out their respective projects. -------------- Post Point of Contact -------------- ¶7. Post Contact is Special Projects Coordinator, Abdoulaye Sougoule, who is responsible for the management the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Grants Program. He can be reached by email at SougouleAS@state.gov. Mr. Sougoule works under the supervision of Political/Economic Section Chief Shannon Cazeau, who can be reached by email at CazeauSN@state.gov. The Embassy can be reached by phone at (224) 30.42.08.61/62/63 (IVG code 257) and Fax (224) 30.41.15.22. KAEUPER