RECOMMENDATION: PRM FY 2008 AMBASSADORS FUND FOR REFUGEES

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000508 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/AFR E.O. 12958; NA TAGS: PREF CG SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION: PRM FY 2008 AMBASSADORS FUND FOR REFUGEES REF: STATE 6779 ¶1. Embassy Kinshasa requests $20,000 from the Ambassador's Fund for Refugees for rehabilitation of Moba Hospital in Moba, Katanga province. This project will improve the health facilities for the only hospital in an area of high refugee return. It has the potential to reach a large number of the local population as well and have a long-lasting impact in a region where 30 percent of the population are returnees. ¶2. Moba Hospital serves a population of 450,000, of which 160,000 are returned refugees. It is in dire need of structural and electrical wiring repair caused by the years of war and looting. These repairs will address critical structural and electrical gaps that will help improve conditions for patients and staff alike, prevent disease, and reduce infant mortality. ¶3. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that an additional 22,000 -- of a total of 200,000 -- Congolese refugees are expected to return to the Moba area this year from Zambia and Tanzania. According to UNHCR, having access to health services is a major factor in repatriation decisions. ¶4. The work will be implemented by an international NGO overseen by UNHCR's Moba Sub-Office. The three candidates currently work in partnership with UNHCR on various projects. Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) is a Pan-African NGO that specializes in health care, housing, and rehabilitation in the Great Lakes region and West Africa. GTZ is a German NGO that specializes in sustainable development. EURIKIN is a European humanitarian NGO that works closely with UNHCR on many rehabilitation and development projects. ¶5. An agreement between UNHCR and the implementing organization will be signed before the proposed work begins. The implementing partner will be required to adopt UNHCR's code of conduct. ¶6. Post would be able to award a grant to the implementing partner (AHA, GTZ or EURIKIN) prior to the end of fiscal year 2008 and hopes for favorable consideration by PRM of this proposal. GARVELINK