Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HARARE534
2007-06-15 11:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Harare
Cable title:  

DHRF FY2006 ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT -- ZIMBABWE

Tags:  PHUM PREL ZI 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSB #0534/01 1661102
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY SIGNATURE ADDED ADD16E74 MSI5731)
P 151102Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1604
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


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SUMMARY
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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


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SUMMARY
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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.

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FY 2006 Project Summaries
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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.

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Previous Year Projects
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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