DJIBOUTI - UNHCR RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM DONORS

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000842

STATE FOR AF/E AND PRM/AFR
ADDIS ABABA FOR REFCOORD
NAIROBI FOR RDRAPCHO AND REFCOORD
GENEVA FOR KPERKINS
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID DJ XA
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI - UNHCR RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM DONORS


1. SUMMARY: Post awarded a USD 20,000 grant to American-led NGO LIFE
International to assist refugees in Djibouti with skills training.
The UNHCR mission in Djibouti received donations from donor
countries and NGOs during the holy month of Ramadan, and also
received non-food items originally intended for a refugee camp in
Liberia that is now closed. END SUMMARY.

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AMBASSADOR'S FUND GRANT SIGNED
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2. On September 18, Post signed a grant agreement with
Djibouti-based American-led NGO Local Initiatives for Education
(LIFE) International, awarding LIFE a USD 20,000 grant to implement
a sustainable skills training program at Ali Addeh, Djibouti's sole
refugee camp. The grant will finance the purchase of sewing
machines and materials, tables, chairs, and other necessary teaching
equipment, as well as the cost of training on the proper care and
maintenance of the machines. Additional skills such as bookkeeping
and literacy--as well as health issues--will also be included in the
course, to promote independence of participants. LIFE is expected
to train between 60-80 men and women during its five- to six-month
program. Special sessions will be held on the formation and
functions of a cooperative/association. LIFE will shape training to
help ensure the sustainability of the project upon completion.


3. LIFE International has worked for 20 years in refugee camps in
Kenya and has been working in Djibouti for the last 14 years. It
has participated in many successful initiatives and social
development projects, in partnership with the Government of
Djibouti.

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING DURING RAMADAN
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4. During Ramadan, the Chaplain's office at Camp Lemonier, the U.S.
military facility in Djibouti, provided 180 donated blankets to
UNHCR for refugees. UNHCR included the blankets in a special Eid
distribution at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The Eid
packages were made available during the monthly food distribution at
the refugee camp. In addition to the blankets, the Eid packages
included personal hygiene items and extra protein (whole red lentils
and canned tuna),supplied by UNHCR.

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ADDITIONAL AID FROM DONOR COUNTRIES AND NGOs
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5. During the month of September, Saudi Arabia donated 381,147 USD
in emergency relief goods to UNHCR Djibouti.


6. Australia will fund the salary for a Camp Coordinator, who will
work and live at the refugee camp for three to six months to
coordinate and oversee the restructuring of the camp's
infrastructure, including the food distribution center. This
position is expected to be filled by year's end.


7. On September 18, the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) visited the refugee camp, and expressed interest in
implementing a handicraft activity project for refugees at the camp.


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NON-FOOD ITEMS - NEW SUPPLY
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8. When the UNHCR refugee camp in Liberia closed early this year,
UNHCR Representative Ann EnContre, took the initiative to request
and receive new non-food items (NFIs),i.e. mats, blankets, plastic
sheeting, tents, mosquito nets, lamps, jerry cans, kitchen sets,
soap, etc., which remained at that camp's warehouse. The NFIs
arrived in Djibouti in September. Since those items had already
been purchased, EnContre paid only for the shipment of supplies.
The NFIs will be distributed to new arrivals and to those who have
not received a replacement in over 10 years. This is the first time
in 10 years that UNHCR has had the ability to replace old non-food
items.


9. COMMENTS: The UNHCR mission in Djibouti faces many hurdles and
uphill battles; however, with continued support from donors and
NGOs, it continues to progress in providing better assistance to
refugees in Djibouti. END COMMENT.

WONG