AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES FY2007 PROPOSAL

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000968 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR AND PRM/ECA S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM HA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES FY2007 PROPOSAL FROM AMEMBASSY PORT-AU-PRINCE REF: A. STATE 27884 ¶B. PORTAUPRINCE 809 ¶C. PORTAUPRINCE 867 ¶1. Summary. In response to reftel A, post is submitting a proposal to fund a study on Haitian migrants conducted by the International Organization of Migration (IOM). The study would attempt to construct a profile of the typical migrant, lay out the reasons for migration, and outline the planning process for the migrants' sea voyages. The study will attempt to construct the migrant profile by conducting a field survey using questionnaires and interviews. The proposed study will last two months and cost $20,000. Post has emailed a full copy of IOM's proposal to Jennifer Joyce and Jessica Yutacom at PRM. End summary. ¶2. The study is part of an appropriate and coordinated response to the spike in the numbers of Haitian migrants interdicted at sea in April. (See reftels B and C.) Haiti's Office of National Migration (ONM) approached IOM for help in formulating policies to deter migrants from attempting the sea voyages. In response, IOM has applied to its headquarters in Geneva for a grant to provide technical assistance to ONM for dealing with migrants. The IOM study would fit perfectly because it would attempt to give them information around which they can plan a more effective strategy. ¶3. IOM is the appropriate agency to conduct the study. IOM has conducted a similar, study published in March 2004 on Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic. This study was cited in the World Bank/Inter-American Development Bank's ''Dominican Republic Poverty Assessment: Achieving More Pro-Poor Growth,'' published in October 2006 as follows, ''Despite limitations of coverage and design, the IOM-FLACSO survey is a relevant source of information, as it was specifically designed to provide a demographic snapshot on migrant flows from Haiti to the DR, as well as on Haitians already living in the country.'' For that study, IOM and FLACSO (the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences) surveyed 3,000 Haitian households. While the proposed study will not be as extensive, IOM possesses the proven capacity to complete the study project. IOM can also use the information that ONM, the UN Human Rights Section in Haiti, the Haitian National Police, and Poloff have gathered in their efforts to construct a composite of the migrants and the migratory process. Finally, as an organization that has already received PRM funding (to produce Counter-Trafficking Training Modules),IOM is compliant regarding a suitable code of conduct as referenced in para 3 of reftel a. ¶4. The proposed study project will cost $20,000. The cost breakdown is as follows (USD): OPERATIONAL COSTS Recruitment and orientation of lead consultant and surveyors $600. Literature/Data review and field survey preparation: $720. Implementation of field survey for Port-de-Paix, Cap Haitien, and Ile de la Tortue: $11,313. Data analysis and production of final report: $2,160. Launch and dissemination of final report: $1,335. Total: $16,128 IOM TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND IMPLEMENTATION COSTS Staff: $2,600. Office: $320. Overhead for HQ at 5 percent: $952. Total: $3,872 A detailed itemized cost breakdown is included in the study project proposal. ¶5. Post certifies that it has the authority and capacity to award the grant to IOM prior to the end of the fiscal year (September 30). SANDERSON