FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR PRM AMBASSADORS, FUND FOR

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000373 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS, PRM/ANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF MY SUBJECT: FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR PRM AMBASSADORS, FUND FOR REFUGEES REF: SECSTATE 06779 - PRM FY 2008 AMBASSADORS, FUND ¶1. Post submits for funding consideration the following proposal from Kumpulan A.C.T.S. Bhd. (an acronym for A Call to Serve, hereafter ACTS.) Post enjoys a successful working relationship with ACTS, which has appropriately used previous USG funds. The proposed grant would provide critical funding to a convalescent home for refugees and asylum seekers located in Malaysia. These refugees and asylum seekers are predominantly from Burma but also include Sri Lankans and Iraqis. The full grant proposal including supporting documentation will be sent to PRM/ANE via a separate email. ¶2. Recipient: An NGO founded in 2003, ACTS has been an UNHCR implementing partner since 2004 and has previously received USG funding. ACTS is a Jesuit organization affiliated with the Catholic Church and Jesuit Relief Services. ACTS maintains a code of conduct consistent with the UN IASC's six principles as per REFTEL. ACTS provides physical and mental health care to refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, primarily Chin refugees from Burma. These services are offered through clinics, hospital referrals, a temporary shelter home, and a convalescent home for women and children known as PERCH 2. This proposal provides funding to an additional convalescent home specifically for men called PERCH 1. An FY06 State Department grant provided the initial funding for PERCH 1 and it has since served a total of 503 refugee patients. Ongoing operational costs are funded primarily from private donors. ACTS seeks $20,000 to provide refugees at PERCH 1 the ability to obtain medical attention at local hospitals and clinics. ¶3. Justification: The Government of Malaysia (GOM) does not distinguish between refugees and illegal immigrants, making it difficult for refugees to access proper medical attention. Refugees are subject to arrest, detention, caning, deportation, and human trafficking. ACTS is able to fill an important need in providing health care and temporary shelter to those who would otherwise go without. The staff of PERCH 1 works with UNHCR to provide referral letters to hospitals and clinics. ACTS pays for these treatments as funding is available. While most of ACTS programs are sufficiently funded for the year, PERCH 1 requires additional funding in order to meet its two goals of providing at least 20 referrals each month and paying for at least 30 medical treatments each month. ¶4. Grant Authority: Post has the authority and capacity to award a grant to the proposed recipient prior to the end of the fiscal year. KEITH