MEXICO: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT PROPOSALS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 000411 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP FOR KATHLEEN A. BRESNAHAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM MX PHUM PREL SMIG SUBJECT: MEXICO: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR 2008 INCLE AND ESF FUNDS REF: 2008 STATE 161287 1.(U) Embassy Mexico City established a committee to evaluate six TIP project proposals based on guidelines set out in reftel. The following sections/agencies at the Embassy were represented on the committee: Political, Public Affairs, Agency for International Development, Department of Justice, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Post selected two project proposals for consideration by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) for funding. Post selected the proposal by Alternativas Pacificas (ALPAZ) as its first choice and Fundacion Casa Alianza Mexico as its second choice for funding based on their thorough knowledge of the trafficking problem in Mexico and their systematic approach to targeting vulnerable communities with awareness activities about the dangers of trafficking, better educating local legislators on the need for stronger TIP legislation, and providing victims with more comprehensive services. The full proposals of the two projects will be forwarded to the appropriate contacts in G/TIP by email. Below we summarize the two proposals we recommend State consider for funding. ¶2. (U) Applicant: Alternativas Pacificas, A.C. Funding amount: US$ 47,670 Project Title: Alternativas Pacificas (ALPAZ) TIP Project Project Duration: One year Proposal abstract: Since 1996, Alternativas Pacificas A.C. (ALPAZ) has provided services to battered women and victims of family and sexual violence and has expanded its services over the years to include victims of trafficking. To date, ALPAZ has provided services to over 55,000 women and children. ALPAZ proposes the following activities for funding: ¶A. Inform and raise awareness about human trafficking in Nuevo Leon to detect possible victims and to provide adequate services for victims of trafficking. ¶B. Promote TIP legislation among local politicians and provide workshops for local government officials and civil society. ¶C. Provide integral services to victims of trafficking including access to legal and judicial advice, housing and medical and psychological attention. ¶3. (U) Applicant: Fundacion Casa Alianza Mexico, IAP Funding amount: US$ 489,760 Project title: Human Trafficking Victims Project Duration: Three years Proposal abstract: Fundacion Casa Alianza Mexico (FCAM) provides services to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 who have been victims of some form of human trafficking, among other forms of abuse. FCAM has a sexual exploitation program, which is designed to provide quality education, treatment, and services to child victims of abuse or those at high risk of becoming victims by (1) the work of FCAM's street outreach team, and (2) the residential program of the five FCAM care homes. FCAM proposes the following programs for funding: ¶A. Victim Services: To provide services to victims who are living on the streets and victims of human trafficking in providing medical, psychological and legal support. The program also proposes to provide a safe haven for victims of trafficking in addition to providing education and job training. ¶B. Training for Government and Civil Society: To provide training to Casa Alianza personnel, NGOs and government officials on identifying and protecting victims of trafficking through workshops, awareness campaigns and materials. Fundacion Casa Alianza Mexico enjoys a good reputation among agencies working on TIP at post. It has 20 years of experience in working with vulnerable communities in Mexico and has established a strong record in providing assistance to TIP victims. Post supports Casa Alianza's proposal for funding but at the Department's discretion would welcome the opportunity to work with the organization to strengthen its proposal with a view to developing a greater emphasis on the MEXICO 00000411 002 OF 002 education component. ¶4. USG funding of NGO work on TIP in Mexico assumes a vital role in supporting this key player's efforts to provide invaluable assistance to TIP victims. A careful review of the projects submitted revealed that the two proposals outlined above were far and away the best candidates for USG funding based on their focus on producing concrete results through a careful identification of objectives, the trust the USG invests in their work -- past and present, and the fact that these projects uniquely complement each other. Embassy Mexico City looks forward to working with G/TIP and with both of these organizations as appropriate in further refining their projects to meet our objectives and Mexico's needs. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / GARZA