EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES SUPPORTS U.S. NGO PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000352 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP FOR FORSTRUM AND FLECK G/IWI FOR RECHKEMMER WHA/PPC FOR MILLER WHA/BSC FOR DRUCKER, FRIEDMAN, MOSS, AND SHOWELL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SNAR SMIG KJUS ASEC AR SUBJECT: EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES SUPPORTS U.S. NGO PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS REF: BUENOS AIRES 344 ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Background: Post is pleased to recommend three proposals for G/TIP's "International Collaborative Partnerships to Combat Trafficking" from U.S. NGOs interested in working with local partners to fight trafficking in persons in Argentina. Embassy-Buenos Aires's top priorities in strengthening Argentina's anti-trafficking efforts include 1) improving victim assistance, 2) conducting public awareness campaigns targeted to people most likely to come into contact with TIP victims, and 3) strengthening coordination among anti-TIP NGOs. The proposals that we recommend for G/TIP consideration would address this need. ¶2. (SBU) The Department's 2007 TIP report lists Argentina on its Tier-2 Watch List. In addition, the report identifies the need to provide greater assistance to trafficking victims. The GOA, in conjunction with the IOM, has worked to raise public awareness of human trafficking through a variety of multi-media campaigns. Through the GOA's Office of Victims Assistance (OFAVI) and provincial victim assistance offices, the GOA continues to provide legal assistance to trafficking victims who choose to testify against their captors, as well as refer them to existing health and social assistance programs. Nevertheless, government resources for comprehensive victim assistance remain limited. ¶3. (SBU) G/TIP funding would help to strengthen the Argentine government and local NGOs' capacity to deliver comprehensive victim assistance, enabling victims' successful reinsertion in society and the economy. Argentina's NGO sector is stocked with very capable and dedicated professionals who have demonstrated a capacity to make a big impact with relatively little funding. G/TIP funding of a U.S.-Argentine NGO partnership would help expose the Argentine NGO community to U.S. best practices in combating human trafficking. It would also boost and lend credibility to post's TIP advocacy efforts. End summary and background. ¶4. (SBU) Post received copies of three proposals submitted to G/TIP by U.S. NGOs interested in working with Argentine partners to combat human trafficking in Argentina. Each NGO informed us that it submitted its proposal separately via www.grants.gov, per the website's instructions. Details and post's evaluation of each proposal can be found in paras 5-7. -------------- Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking Proposal -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Project Description: The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking is requesting $200,000 for a 2-year project to develop an NGO network that would work together to: 1) provide a cohesive continuum of care for human trafficking victims including safe housing, food, and medical attention, as well as victim advocacy, financial literacy, and job preparation; 2) furnish human trafficking training for professionals, 3) conduct a public awareness campaign, and 4) coordinate NGO lobbying efforts to secure passage of comprehensive human trafficking laws. In addition, it will develop and implement a plan to secure the network's sustainability. We recommend this proposal for the following reasons: -- The project identifies clear, tangible, and measurable output indicators in terms of people trained and victims reached. -- The project addresses the lack of adequate restorative care facilities for victims by working with NGOs to establish a victim assistance center and provide training to the center's staff. -- FCHAT has already signed MOUs to work with a number of Argentina's leading anti-TIP NGOs. -------------- The Renewal Forum, Carta Politica, and Maria de los Angeles Foundation Proposal -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Project Description: The Renewal Forum will provide technical assistance to the Carta Politica and the Maria de los Angeles Foundations by introducing them to best practices fromQhe most effective international models of anti-trafficking and victim assistance programming. The one-year project costs $198,560 and will: 1) conduct an inventory of civil society (non-governmental) institutions which have the capacity to contribute to the national response to trafficking; 2) conduct an inventory of service provision capacity and facilities for victims of human trafficking and highlight gaps in what is needed to restore victims to self-sufficiency; 3) support the establishment of appropriate restorative care facilities to aid victims in rebuilding their lives, by providing existing organizations access to the technical expertise necessary to treat trafficking victims appropriately; and 4) develop a public awareness campaign against trafficking, building on previous public awareness efforts and communicating practical steps to assist victims. The campaign will have the added effect of strengthening civil society's efforts to pass and enforce anti-trafficking laws, and improve restorative services for victims. We recommend this proposal for the following reasons: -- The project addresses the lack of adequate restorative care facilities for victims. -- Public awareness strategy is well-targeted and will build on previous public awareness campaigns. -- Local partners are well-known and respected NGOs. The Maria de los Angeles Foundation was founded by the Department's 2007 International Woman of Courage award winner Susana Trimarco. Carta Politica is a well-regarded public policy think tank. -------------- Casa De La Familia and S.T.R.I.K.E. Force Training Proposal -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Project Description: Casa de la Familia and S.T.R.I.K.E. Force Training are requesting $199,450 for a one-year project that aims to increase trafficking prosecutions and strengthen the protection of victims who are assisting in prosecution of traffickers. The project would: 1) work to draft and pass model anti-TIP legislation; 2) establish a human trafficking task force comprised of legal professionals who have successfully prosecuted TIP cases and service providers who have directly served victims; 3) survey federal judicial officials and victim service providers to identify gaps that are needed to successfully protect victims and prosecute traffickers; 4) develop a training curriculum to train law enforcement officials, judges and attorneys. We recommend this proposal for the following reasons: -- The project addresses the lack of protection for TIP victims. -- The project provides specialized training in investigating and prosecuting TIP crimes. AYNE