DHRF FY2006 ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT -- ZIMBABWE

UNCLAS HARARE 000534 SIPDIS SENSITIVE, SIPDIS AF/RSA FOR M. HARPOLE AF/S FOR S. HILL C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SIGNATURE ADDED) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL ZI SUBJECT: DHRF FY2006 ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT -- ZIMBABWE -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) This message contains the annual summary report for Zimbabwe's FY2006 Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) II activities. Post has in process/advanced $32,421 of the $60,000 in obligated FY2006 funds (none of the payments has been registered yet as liquidated by the USAID Financial Controller Office). ¶2. (SBU) The political situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2008. The Government is using widespread abductions, arrests, and torture to intimidate and harass opposition and civil society members and supporters. The worsening operating environment has made it increasingly difficult for our DHRF grantees to maneuver, but all have assured us that they would increase their efforts to carry out their planned activities over the next few months. ¶3. (SBU) We are working with the USAID Financial Controller Office to close-out all pre-FY2006 projects. In the meantime, post has started receiving a number of promising DHRF project proposals for FY2007. End Summary. -------------- FY 2006 Project Summaries -------------- ¶4. (SBU) An activities status update on the four FY2006 grantees follows. FEMINIST POLITICAL EDUCATION PROJECT Grant number: DHRF-06-613-01 Description: To set up a systematic assessment of women's issues in Zimbabwe, and, based on the results, to publish a "Women's Yearbook" that analyzes and documents the status of women in Zimbabwe. To obtain up-to-date literature in respect of the constitution, human rights, the independence of the judiciary and rule of law. Amount obligated: $20,000.00 Balance: $20,000.00 Status: We have advanced FEPEP $15,000 to start compiling articles and do research for the yearbook, including articles on HIV/AIDs, women's decision making, domestic violence and women in politics. The report will be ready for final editing by the end of June with printing to be completed before September 2007. YOUTH INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE (YIDEZ) Grant number: DHRF-06-613-02 Description: To conduct six public meetings and workshops in conjunction with information and media campaigns targeted at youth that will raise awareness, develop leadership, and explore avenues for non-violent change. Amount obligated: $20,000.00 Balance: $20,000.00 Status: YIDEZ held its first workshop at the Royal Hotel in Bulawayo in May 2007. This workshop was a success with attendance by senior civic society members in the area, including ZANU-PF (ZAPU) leader, Paul Siwela. Over 700 youths from across the Matabeleland province area gathered to discuss one of the country's pressing civic issues -- the Zimbabwe National Water Authority's takeover of distribution of water to urban areas. YIDEZ held this consultative discussion to inspire young people to take a more active role in local and national issues that affect them. YIDEZ plans to hold its next workshop on June 16 in preparation for the Day of the African Child. CIVIC ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE Grant Number: DHRF-06-613-03 Description: To conduct community training workshops on human rights, democracy and good governance, and lobby meetings, leadership seminars and focus group discussions in both rural and urban communities. Amount obligated: $15,000.00 Balance: $15,000.00 Status: CADEGO has held three workshops in the Manicaland province. It had its first workshop in January in Mutasa district, and held two others in March and May 2007 in Makoni district. CADEGO will hold ten more workshops and complete its programmed activities by September 2007. It has changed its name from CADEGO to Centre for Research and Development (CRD). ADVOCATES CHAMBERS ASSOCIATION Grant Number: DHRF-06-613-04 Description: To purchase law books and subscriptions to law reports to allow advocates to remain up-to-date on case work. Amount obligated: $5,000.00 Balance: $5,000.00 Status: The first batch of books from South Africa arrived in May. Post is awaiting the next shipment of books. -------------- Previous Year Projects -------------- ¶5. (SBU) We extended two grants, WOZA and ZIMCET, from FY2005 in order to give the grantees more time to complete their planned activities. We are waiting for the final requests for reimbursement for the expenditures associated with these grantees. Once the final payments are processed, we will work closely with USAID to close out these grants. We are waiting for close-out confirmation from USAID on the other two FY2005 grants. ¶6. (SBU) A description of our two open FY05 grantees follows below: Women of Zimbabwe Arise! Grant number: DHRF-05-613-02 Description: to purchase equipment that will enable activists to capture and transmit images within Zimbabwe of their activities and the conditions they witness in order to counter government misinformation about the situation in the country. Amount obligated: $14,125.00 Balance: $11,373.44 Status: Due to hyperinflation, the grantee was not able to purchase the proposed equipment within the budget in Zimbabwe, and post decided to purchase the equipment outside the country. Post placed orders for the equipment for WOZA in 2006 and again in May 2007. Some of the equipment has arrived and been given to WOZA. The remaining equipment is expected to arrive shortly. Our delay in making the additional purchases was due to technical problems USAID experienced in receiving confirmation of liquidation from Charleston. We have been working with USAID to resolve the matter and close out the project. Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust Grant number: DHRF-05-613-03 Description: for radio programs, advertising, placement of articles, setting up a website, and purchase of equipment to produce educational materials to publicize its activities across Zimbabwe. Amount obligated: $10,425 Balance: $7,114.01 Status: ZIMCET purchased some equipment to produce educational materials to publicize its activities across Zimbabwe. However, the group's work was delayed due to a turnover in management. The previous director resigned and post decided not to provide additional funding until management issues were resolved. At this point, we are still not confident that the group is ready to receive additional funding. The agreement extension has expired and we have begun the close-out process. DELL