GABON REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000252 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR PRM/AFR ACCRA FOR REFCOORD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF GA SUBJECT: GABON REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES REF: STATE 27884 ¶1. Embassy Libreville requests 20,000 dollars to promote self-sufficiency in refugee communities through generating food security and steady revenues. The project would provide technical expertise and equipment supporting refugee groups in Moanda, Bakoumba, Lastourville, and Franceville. All activities will be carried out by ALISEI, an Italian NGO with considerable experience working with refugees in Gabon. ¶2. Project Summary: ¶A. Activity 1: Sewing, hairstyling, and daycare project for an association of young women refugees in Moanda. --Items to be procured: Hairstyling and sewing equipment/supplies --Total Cost: $5,600 ¶B. Activity 2: Fabrication of manioc by an association of woman refugees in Bakoumba. --Items to be procured: Equipment for manioc preparation, electrical equipment for construction of work space --Total cost: $1,800 ¶C. Activity 3: Sewing project for a sewing association of women refugees is Bakoumba. --Items to be procured: Sewing equipment and supplies. --Total Cost: $1,720 ¶D. Activity 4: Agricultural project for a farming association in Bakoumba. --Items to be procured: Farming equipment, wire fencing, seeds and other crop starters --Total Cost: $1,820 ¶E. Activity 5: Bakery Project for a group of Congolese refugees with Gabonese partners in Bakoumba --Items to be procured: Bakery supplies, rent, and electricity --Total Cost: $2,130 ¶F. Activity 6: Agricultural project for a group of female Congolese refugees and their Gabonese partners in Lastourville. --Items to be procured: --Total Cost: $1,820 ¶G. Activity 7: Fabrication of manioc by an association of woman refugees in Franceville. --Items to be procured: Equipment/supplies for manioc preparation, stock of manioc, wheel barrow, shed for equipment/material, wrapping material for distribution, transportation costs. --Total Cost: $1,220 ¶H. Activity 8: Management, Follow-up and Technical Expertise by ALISEI and its partners --Total Cost: $3,000 ¶I. Reserves or Incidental expenses for the seven projects. --Total Cost: $ 890 ¶3. Post notes that ALISEI appears to have used an unrealistic exchange rate. The cost of the seven activities (without reserve or management charges) is about $18,000 at the current exchange rate of 488 CFA per USD. ALISEI has provided the Embassy with a complete budget for all items to be procured, which can be faxed to department on request. ¶4. Justification: ALISEI and post have already implemented successful projects to promote agricultural self-sufficiency for Congolese refugees in FY 2004, FY 2005, and FY 2006. These micro-projects target smaller groups of refugees with the hope of improving relations with local populations to enhance prospects for local integration as a durable solution. ¶5. Agency Responsible: Italian-based NGO ALISEI, which already has a good working relationship with the refugees and UNHCR personnel working within the refugee community, will be the implementing partner. ALISEI implemented the FY 2004, FY 2005 and FY 2006 Ambassador's Fund projects. The project above was developed with ALISEI to assist the refugee communities that have not benefited from previous projects. ALISEI's demonstrated track record makes it an ideal and qualified partner for further collaboration. ¶6. Post will be able to implement the grant by the close of the fiscal year. ¶7. POC is Political Officer Leslie Doumbia at doumbialw@state.gov. WALKLEY