IMC Syria Satisfied with Programming but Troubled

UNCLAS AMMAN 002636

SIPDIS

Department for NEA/ELA and PRM/ANE

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID JO
SUBJECT: IMC Syria Satisfied with Programming but Troubled
by Bureaucracy


1. (SBU) Summary: On September 4, 2008, RefCoord Frederick
and Project Management Specialist Halasa met with
International Medical Corps (IMC) Syria Director Hussein
Ibrahim in Amman. Ibrahim said he was satisfied with the
progress of IMC programming in Syria. Clinics are
operational and receiving patients according to plan. Both
IMC outreach efforts and Ibrahim's residence permit are in
the hands of the Syrian Security Service. End summary.

Programs on Track and on Schedule
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2. (SBU) Ibrahim said that IMC had three operational
clinics, in Saida Zeinab, Barzeh, and Jeramana, in
partnership with Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The
clinics provide a full range of primary health care
services to all comers; however, Iraqi refugees make up the
majority of their clients. The clinics were located near
urban refugees, but IMC has noted that Iraqis are leaving
areas like Saida Zeinab as real estate becomes more
expensive. Ibrahim said the NGO community did not have a
good idea of where these refugees are relocating.


3. (U) The Saida Zeinab site is close to other health care
providers, but the IMC facility is the only one with a
dental clinic. At IMC facilities beneficiaries pay 20
Syrian Pounds (SYP) for simple consultations (Note: USD
1=46 SYP). Patients pay additional fees for lab services
and prescriptions. Clients with chronic diseases only pay
15 SYP for their drugs. At other facilities serving
Iraqis, only registered refugees benefit from reduced
prices. In Ministry of Health facilities without UNHCR
support, all patients pay the same GOS rate of 125 SYP per
consultation.


4. (U) In 2008, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Syria
approached IMC to sign a memorandum of understanding
allowing CRS to refer Iraqis from their PRM-funded project
to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC)/IMC jointly
administered clinics. Ibrahim explained that IMC accepted
patients without referral from any institution in Syria.
The CRS agreement would service as a means to monitor where
Iraqis are seeking assistance and in what numbers.

Future Programming to target Psychosocial needs
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5. (U) In 2009, IMC planned to include more Psychosocial
programming in the health centers they support, including
some sexual and gender-based violence programs. In
preparation for that programming, IMC planned to add an
Arabic-speaking psychiatrist to its professional staff.
They have had problems finding qualified applicants in
Syria, and so planned to expand the search to the wider
MENA region.


6. (SBU) IMC also participated in monthly coordination
meetings of PRM-funded projects in Syria, as well as
psychosocial coordination meetings chaired by SARC and
health coordination meetings, temporarily chaired by WHO
(UNHCR would normally chair the meetings, but has no
medical coordinator). Ibrahim said the SARC staff was
competent and helpful participants in coordination.

Syrian Bureaucracy Blocks Outreach and Visas
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7. (SBU) Ibrahim said that he had cancelled all external
outreach programs in Syria until further notice as a result
of State Security interference with IMC workers in the
field. According to Ibrahim, security officers stopped IMC
workers during an outreach campaign in August 2008. When
Ibrahim approached the SARC for clarification, his contacts
refused to become involved in a "security" matter. The
unwritten injunction against outreach affected other NGOs
as well; The SARC denied the Danish Refugee Council
permission to run an out reach program as well. Note: IMC
has continued distribution of information within their
supported health clinics. End note.


8. (SBU) Ibrahim did not seem concerned about the GOS
recent denial of his application for a resident permit.
IMC has appealed the decision to State Security, and,
according to Ibrahim, as long as State Security does not
issue a letter to immigration denying the permit, he could
continue to live and work in Syria.

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