MASERU APPEALS FOR ADDITIONAL SSH AND DHRF FUNDING

UNCLAS MASERU 000368 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/EPS FOR CAROL TRIMBLE; AF/RSA FOR MARINDA HARPOLE; AF/S FOR LINDA MUNCY; GABORONE FOR WALTER HAMMOND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM KDEM LT SUBJECT: MASERU APPEALS FOR ADDITIONAL SSH AND DHRF FUNDING ¶1. SUMMARY: As AF/EPS and AF/RSA consider the best ways to distribute end of year Special Self Help (SSH) and Democracy and Human Rights (DHRF) funding, Embassy Maseru's Special Projects office respectfully requests that these offices consider U.S. Mission Maseru as a highly productive and engaged partner in maximizing the impact of these resources. In the SSH realm, our mission has been flooded with viable projects -- $650,000 worth of projects competing for a $60,000 pot. This year's level of competition among so many viable projects for SSH and DHRF funding proves that Embassy Maseru's primary contraint is funding, not good partners. Our Embassy is growing, with our staff increasing by 12 new positions through the MCC and PEPFAR programs which are synchronized with our SSH and DHRF projects. We hope these programs can grow to keep pace with the overall efforts of our mission. END SUMMARY. -------------- Special Self Help Funding -------------- ¶2. As the Department determines allocations to the Special Self-Help Fund for FY2007, U.S. Embassy Maseru would like to reiterate the benefits of an increased allotment to Lesotho. In FY2006, we received $60,000, down from $69,000 in FY2005. We are currently flooded with viable SSH proposals. We have received over 130 proposals for FY2007, averaging $5,000 per proposal. The 17 proposals we were able to fund in FY2006 have all been extremely successful. From the construction of classrooms at schools in remote districts to assistance to income-generating programs for HIV/AIDS support groups, our 2006 SSH projects have put U.S. assistance on the map in Lesotho, especially at the grassroots level. To address the fundamental needs here, we would hope to increase our allotment to $100,000 for FY2007. -------------- Demcracy and Human Rights Funding -------------- ¶3. As the Department also determines allocations to the Democracy and Human Rights Fund for FY2007, U.S. Embassy Maseru would like to reiterate the benefits of an increased allotment to Lesotho. In FY2006, we received $30,000 and were able to fund five highly successful programs, from Voter Education in the run-up to the National Election this year to educating women on their rights in land ownership and inheritance, and empowering them against violence. These programs provided excellent press and outreach throughout the country. We are also innundated with viable DHRF proposals for 2007. We hope to increase our allotment to $100,000 for FY2007. -------------- Our Appeal -------------- ¶4. COMMENT: Our Embassy is growing, with our staff increasing by at least 12 new positions through the MCC and PEPFAR programs, which are synchronized with our SSH and DHRF projects. We hope that these programs can grow to keep pace with the overall efforts of our mission. Embassy Maseru's Special Projects office would like to thank AF/EPS, AF/RSA, and USAID Gaborone for their consideration in this matter, and stands prepared to offer any additional information which would be helpful. END COMMENT. MURPHY