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
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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