KYRGYZSTAN'S PROJECT FOR JULIA V. TAFT FUND FOR

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000555 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ECA DEPT ALSO FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF EAID KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN'S PROJECT FOR JULIA V. TAFT FUND FOR REFUGEES REF: SECSTATE 6779 ¶1. Embassy Bishkek requests from PRM $8,000 under the Julia ¶V. Taft Fund for Refugees FY 2008 to purchase furniture, toys, and medical equipment for Bishkek's refugee reception center. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. In 2006-2007, the UNHCR office in Bishkek implemented a project, co-funded by the European Commission (EC),to institutionalize the asylum system in Central Asia. One of the results of that project was the establishment of a refugee reception center in Bishkek to provide temporary accommodation to asylum-seekers while their applications are being processed. By the beginning of 2008, Kyrgyzstan hosted 813 refugees and asylum-seekers. The refugee reception center can accommodate 30 people; 60 in an emergency. ¶3. The facility was tested during a recent circuit ride, when it housed 39 Uzbek refuges who traveled from the southern city of Osh for DHS interviews and medical checks in Bishkek. Currently, UNHCR is discussing the launch of normal accommodation procedures for new arrivals from Afghanistan with the Kyrgyz State Committee for Migration and Employment (SCME). UNHCR initially allocated a play room for children and a separate room for a medical nurse in the center, however, the EC-UNHCR project did not equip those rooms. Thus, the aim of this project proposal is to provide child-friendly furniture and toys for the children's room, and medical equipment for the nurse's room, at the reception center. PROJECT DESCRIPTION -------------- ¶4. Asylum-seekers and vulnerable refugee families shall be accommodated at the reception center, as needed. According to the latest asylum trends, it is likely that the center would accommodate mainly Uzbeks and Afghans. Asylum-seekers of other nationalities will also have access to the facility, if required. UNHCR anticipates that 30 people, on average, will be housed at the center during the year. Total turnover could be higher, however, considering the departures of refugees to third countries and the arrivals of new refugees. Statistically, roughly 22% of asylum seekers are children. IMPLEMENTING PARTNER -------------- ¶5. The procurement of furniture, toys, and medical equipment shall be managed by Counterpart Sheriktesh, a local NGO with a long history of cooperation with UNHCR. Counterpart is currently one of UNHCR's leading partners in the fields of emergency assistance, education, and food distribution for refugees. Two Counterpart staff are permanently located in the reception center for refugees, to receive clientele and provide social and food assistance to people of concern. This project shall compliment Counterpart's on-site activities, and will not overlap any UNHCR-funded activities. CERTIFICATION -------------- ¶6. Post has the authority and capacity to award a grant of this size to Counterpart Sheriktesh to provide furniture, toys, and medical equipment to the Bishkek refugee reception center by September 30. Post will take advantage of public diplomacy opportunities to draw attention to this project and PRM's involvement. YOVANOVITCH