EMBASSY TBILISI'S 2007 AMBASSADOR'S FUND PROJECT

UNCLAS TBILISI 001165 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ECA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREF PHUM GG SUBJECT: EMBASSY TBILISI'S 2007 AMBASSADOR'S FUND PROJECT PROPOSAL REF: SECSTATE 27884 ¶1. For the FY07 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees for Georgia, Post proposes the rehabilitation of the water supply system in Tsinubani village in the Pankisi Gorge. Tsinubani village has a population of approximately 300 people, including over 100 refugees, and currently lacks running water. The project would rehabilitate the main water pipe leading to the village and install water taps throughout the village. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in conjunction with the local construction company 'Nodaomi', will be our implementing partners. NRC and Nodaomi have implemented successful Ambassador's Fund projects in the past, including rehabilitation of the Tsinubani village school in 2006. The project will employ approximately 20 people, both locals and refugees. Project Description -------------- ¶2. The number of Chechen refugees has been decreasing in recent years, and there are currently between 1,300-1,600 remaining in the Pankisi Gorge, down from nearly 7,000 in ¶1999. Tsinubani is an ethnically mixed village consisting of approximately 300 Ossetians, Kists, and Chechen refugees. The village is isolated from the rest of the gorge, reachable only by a crumbling road that winds along the side of a cliff. The main water pipe leading into the village has been broken for several years and the only source of drinking water are a few wells scattered along the outskirts of the village. In addition, much of the remaining pipe network has rusted beyond repair, necessitating a complete reconstruction of the water supply system. ¶3. The NRC will partner with the local construction company Nodaomi, which in 2006 successfully renovated the Tsinubani village school with Ambassador's Fund money. The project will install a new main water pipe to the village, repair the village pipe network, and install or fix several taps for running water throughout the village. The estimated duration of the project is three months and will employ approximately 20 locals and refugees. When completed, the renovated water system will provide easy access to running water for all 300 villagers, including approximately 90 Chechen refugees. The NRC estimates that this project will cost USD 20,000. TEFFT