CAIRO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FY 2008 TIP SOLICITATION

UNCLAS CAIRO 000270 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND G/TIP (FARAJ) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG EG SUBJECT: CAIRO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FY 2008 TIP SOLICITATION REF: 2007 SECSTATE 161293 ¶1. We have reviewed three anti trafficking-in-persons project proposals in response to reftel request for our recommendations for FY 2008 INCLE and ESF appropriations. Summary evaluations are below. We have forwarded full proposals to G/TIP and NEA POCs per reftel instructions. ¶2. We endorse the proposal submitted by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) for FY 2008 ESF funds. The IREX proposal emphasizes strengthening the capacity of the Egyptian National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) and the National Council for Women (NCW) to provide victims services, followed by strengthening civil society organizations (CSOs) to work with those governmental bodies. The NCCM and NCW are at the forefront of the Government of Egypt's (GoE) efforts to address trafficking. Additionally, and the GoE's anti-trafficking lead at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told us that improving governmental and non-governmental victim protection services, and improving the coordination between the two, is a GoE anti-trafficking priority. Finally, IREX's proposal to work with the Egyptian Center for Development Services - an established and well-respected Egyptian organization - addresses potential GoE sensitivities to receiving aid from U.S. organizations. -------------- IREX -------------- ¶3. Applicant: International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) Total funding: $382,180 (federal share),$0 (non-federal share) Project title: Strengthening Skills and Collaboration to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Egypt Project Duration: 12 months Proposal abstract: Although there is a widespread problem with human trafficking in Egypt, the government and civil society have done little to address the problem. However, new policies adopted in 2007 by the government of Egypt and an increase in leadership on anti-trafficking issues by government aligned organizations have created a promising window of opportunity that might allow for a systematic effort to coordinate activities and significantly strengthen Egypt's efforts to combat human trafficking. IREX's 12 month program pursues this opportunity. The program will be implemented in the Cairo metropolitan area, focusing on key federal institutions and other agencies and organizations that have established credibility in dealing with trafficking issues. IREX will provide support and mentor organizations to strengthen their understanding of human trafficking issues and increase their ability to engage one another. It will facilitate government and civil society stakeholders to develop mechanisms for collaboration, share information and improve prevention, protection and prosecution programs. It also will strengthen the capacity of NGOs working in Cairo and its metropolitan area to work on anti-trafficking issues, and promote an understanding of the multi-dimensional roles civil society can play. Finally, it will link these organizations with the NCW, NCCM, and government institutions. -------------- CEDPA -------------- ¶4. Applicant: Centre for Development and Populations Activities (CEDPA) Total funding: $499,839 (federal share),$0 (non-federal share) Project title: Partnerships Against Trafficking in Persons Project Duration: 24 months Proposal abstract: Egypt is a country of origin, destination, and transit for human trafficking and is listed by the U.S. Department of State as a "Tier 2 Watch List" country. The Government of Egypt has made little progress in addressing the issues of trafficking, which leaves providing prevention and protection largely to civil society. As such, civil society can serve an important role in advocating for policies, serving a "watchdog" function in monitoring government progress, and in providing direct services. The proposed Partnerships Against Trafficking in Persons (PATH) will be a two-year project, with the overall goal of increasing civil society's engagement with the government in the fight against trafficking. PATH will build on CEDPA's extensive experience in Egypt. In close collaboration with three established non-governmental (NGO) partners, CEDPA will implement PATH activities in the three governorates of Alexandria, Asiut, and Qena. PATH will meet three objectives to achieve the project goal: 1) Establishing an NGO coalition to address issues of trafficking. The coalition will engage with, provide assistance to, and monitor local governments in implementing anti-trafficking responses. The coalition will also advocate for increased resources for long-term rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficking victims and better coordination among different stakeholders for prevention and awareness activities. 2) Increase community awareness of trafficking. PATH will conduct community awareness campaigns, train police and public officials, and create community champions to provide leadership in combating the problem. 3) Increase collaboration among organizations providing protection services. PATH will create a referral database for each governorate, establish collaborative mechanisms, increase awareness of services available, and leverage private sector resources to increase economic opportunities for at-risk women and youth. --- IOM --- ¶5. Applicant: International Organization for Migration (IOM) Total funding: $190,415 (federal share),$0 (non-federal share) Project title: Enhancing Understanding on Human Trafficking within the Framework of Irregular Migration and Building Capacity of the Government Officials in Egypt to Address these Issues Project Duration: 24 months Proposal abstract: The issue of trafficking is an extremely sensitive matter in Egypt, and so far, the GoE insists that the main problem Egypt is facing is that of irregular migration as opposed to trafficking per se. This projects aims to address the phenomenon of trafficking within the larger framework of irregular migration in Egypt in all its facets and complexities taking into consideration the country's geographical situation at the crossroads between Asia, Africa and Europe. By raising awareness of Egyptian officials of the dangers and challenges of such a phenomenon, IOM will thus contribute to the protection of the victims of trafficking through a victim-centered and rights based approach. The project would take place over a period of two years and would be implemented in Cairo, Egypt with the Ministry of Manpower and Migration as the main counterpart, but would also be working directly with the Ministry of Interior. The capacity building component, particularly that of MoI officials, would ensure sustainability once the project is over. Ricciardone