PRM Ambassador's Fund for Refugees - Croatia Projects

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000453

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM/ECA: ROLSON
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE: RBALIAN
BELGRADE FOR NCOHEN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV HR
SUBJECT: PRM Ambassador's Fund for Refugees - Croatia Projects

Ref: State 27884


1. After consultation with UNHCR and other partners, Post is pleased
to propose two projects for PRM's Ambassadors Fund for Refugees.
The projects listed below do not receive other donor funding and
would provide immediate assistance to vulnerable populations in
Croatia. If approved, Post has the authority to award grants to
intended recipients.


2. LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND PROVISION OF SMALL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR
ROMA IN A COLLECTIVE CENTER - USD 10,000

Background: Until the end of 2006, UNHCR and two local NGOs (Serb
Democratic Forum and Sisak-based Civil Rights Project) assisted Roma
refugees housed in a GOC-operated collective center outside Sisak, a
war-affected city. Organizations provided legal aid to regularize
their status through residency permits, citizenship applications,
and access to social benefits. As a result of GOC efforts to
streamline and reduce the number of collective centers for more
efficient administrative purposes, the center will close in June.
Currently there are seven Roma families (33 persons) that have
resided there since 2001. Prior to the war they lived in the
Capraske poljane settlement in houses built without permits,
electricity, water or sewage service. The GOC plans to offer
state-owned housing to the residents by the end of the year.

Recipient: NGO Civil Rights Project, Sisak. They provide free legal
aid and court representation for indigent and vulnerable refugees.
Until 2003 they were a part of Norwegian Refugee Council which
focused on refugee-related social/poverty programs.

Project: The project aims to create self-sufficiency and
sustainability in this community. Since families currently are
unemployed, provision of basic agricultural and household tools,
vegetable seeds, and other equipment such as chainsaws will help
them generate income and begin a permanent and sustainable
existence. In addition, the project will provide Roma families with
free legal assistance including court representation and payment of
administrative fees. Families still need to regularize their
residence status, which is a prerequisite to obtaining citizenship.
Funds would be used to purchase tools and equipment, at a cost of
approximately 7,000 USD. Administrative fees and documentation
costs for citizenship-related procedures and new address fees will
cost 2,400 USD. Funds will also partially support one staff
person's time for the three-month project, at a cost of 600 USD.


3. SUPPORT TO ELDERLY RETURNEES IN DJULOVAC (WESTERN SLAVONIA) - USD
10,000

Background: The municipality of Djulovac covers 160 square
kilometers and five small villages. The vast majority (90 percent)
of its population are Croat settlers from Kosovo, while the
remainder is ethnic Serb returnees. More than 30 per cent of the
area's population is elderly. Many elderly Serb returnees have
neither immediate family nor income and are extremely vulnerable.
Kosovo settlers are generally younger and have extended family
support. NGO "Put" has assisted elderly returnees of mixed
ethnicity. This year, funding from the poorly-funded municipality
has been reduced to less than 500 USD (plus provision of office
space),which is insufficient for program continuation. No other
organized assistance is readily available to beneficiaries (the
nearest social welfare office is Daruvar).

Recipient: NGO PUT is an interethnic women's organization in the
war-affected area of Daruvar. The NGO provides assistance to
elderly returnees and shut-ins who have recently returned despite
difficult conditions and the lack of organized assistance. The NGO
offers assistance with documentation, delivers medicines, maintains
homes, washes laundry, prepares firewood, checks basic health care
and assists with personal hygiene, and facilitates medical visits.


Project: Put would assist 30 elderly returnees and settlers who live
in remote villages and have no family support or income. The
project will last six months, and Put will provide one hot meal
daily and pay weekly and ad hoc visits to the elderly to help
maintain their houses and personal hygiene and prepare firewood.
They will also bring medication, check blood pressure and transport
them to medical facilities. In order to achieve project
sustainability, Put will include local authorities, the local
national minority council, and the regional center for social
welfare in the project. In coordination with the Serb Democratic
Forum, a more established NGO, Put will also approach the Ministry
for Veterans, Family, and Intergenerational Solidarity, which runs
welfare programs for individuals with no access to or eligibility
for other government social care programs with a view toward future
support.

Funds will be used to purchase appliances to help maintain elderly

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homes and provide meals - a washing machine and dryer, iron and a
small gas stove (2,000 USD). Additionally, funds will be used to
purchase expendable items for six months: non- prescription
medication such as pain killers, cold medicine, etc. plus blood
pressure and sugar monitoring equipment (800 USD); basic food items
(1,500 USD); detergents and cleaning supplies (1,000 USD); and
firewood (2,000 USD). NGO travel costs including gas, office
utilities, and other administrative costs will total 1,100 USD.
Sixteen Hundred USD will partially cover a program assistant's
salary for the duration of the project.
BRADTKE