FY 2008 TAFT FUND FOR REFUGEES - CROATIA PROJECTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000352 SIPDIS GENEVA FOR RMA; BELGRADE FOR REFCOORD JIKICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF EAID PGOV HR REFUGEES SUBJECT: FY 2008 TAFT FUND FOR REFUGEES - CROATIA PROJECTS REF: A. STATE 35430 ¶B. STATE 6779 ¶C. FISK-IRIS 4/22/08 EMAIL ¶1. Per refs, Post is pleased to propose its submission for project funding through the Julia V. Taft Fund for Refugees FY 2008. Our two-part project is targeted at providing immediate assistance to aid in the reintegration of primarily ethnic Serb returnees in disadvantaged and isolated regions of Croatia that were heavily affected by the war in the 1990's. This project proposal would serve to ensure local reintegration of returnees by providing clean water, income generating mechanisms, and access to basic health care services. The combined budget for both aspects of the project is 20,000 USD. The duration of the project activities is six months. ¶2. PART ONE - PROVISION OF WATER SUPPLY TO RETURNEE HOUSEHOLDS IN DALMATIAN HINTERLAND Background: The main objective of this portion of the project is to ensure a clean, safe and potable water supply for 20 refugee returnee households (approximately 120 beneficiaries) in the Dalmatian hinterland through the purchase, delivery, and installation of water supply systems known as "hydropacks". These hydropacks would significantly contribute to the creation of basic conditions of refugee return in lesser developed areas where the primary source of water supply remains the capture of rain water through collection tanks. Implementing Partner: In the last six years the Knin based NGO "Philanthropy" has implemented a significant number of well-cleaning projects throughout the dry and arid Dalmatian hinterland region of Croatia. To date approximately 500 water supply systems, known as 'hydropacks', have been delivered and installed to returnee households relying on their own water supply owing to the lack of a water supply infrastructure. It is estimated that approximately 400 households in the Zadar and Sibenik-Knin hinterland are still in need of this form of assistance. Activities: In a number of houses, previously existing internal water supply systems were looted or destroyed during the war. Current residential reconstruction assistance packages offered by the GOC do not include provisions for repairing internal residential water supply systems. As a result, many households in the Dalmatian hinterland face difficulties in ensuring a steady, safe, and reliable source of water. Owing to high levels of unemployment and poverty, the funding of this project would significantly contribute to the creation of basic conditions for return of families in the region. The targeted beneficiaries of the project will be selected on the basis of referrals received from UNHCR and it's implementing partners. The projected budget for the first aspect of this project is 10,000 USD. The sum will cover the following costs: The purchase of 20 hydropacks will cost 5,280 USD ($264 per piece); Installation of 20 hydropacks will cost 1,300 USD ($65 per piece); fuel costs for distribution of hydropacks are $1,050; staff honoraria for one project coordinator is $1,787; and office costs (communication, office rent and maintenance) are $583. ¶3. PART TWO - SUPPORT TO REINTEGRATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF RETURNEES IN LICKO PETROVO SELO Background: This portion of the project would support local reintegration of returnees through the revitalization and production of traditional handicrafts in Licko Petrovo Selo, an isolated community that sustained heavy damage during the war. Post intends to finance the provision of wool and material, as well as technical equipment to upgrade the production of traditional handicrafts to be marketed in a nearby UNESCO heritage site and popular tourist destination. Revitalizing the cultural heritage of returnees will generate desperately needed income in this vulnerable community of 160 persons. In addition to providing income-generation possibilities, the proposed activity will assist returnees in Licko Petrovo Selo by providing access to needed medical services. Weekly transport services to the returnee communities of Mukinje and Novo Selo Korenicko for persons in need of medical services will be provided, offering access to previously unobtainable health care. The use of this transport service will allow patients to see doctors, as well ensure the delivery and distribution of prescribed medicines from the distant pharmacy in the village of Korenica. Implementing Partner: The local NGO "Tara" is based in Licko Petrovo Selo, near the UNESCO acclaimed Plitvice Lakes ZAGREB 00000352 002 OF 002 National Park tourist destination. "Tara" is a women's association focusing on support and empowerment of women returnees in the impoverished Lika area. Since 2004, "Tara's" invaluable assistance has significantly contributed to the quality of life and quality of the process of reintegration of unemployed women and other vulnerable members of their community. The community of Licko Petrovo Selo, located some 32 km away from the municipal center, Korenica, consists of five dispersed villages inhabited by approximately 160 Serb returnees who permanently live there. The majority of the inhabitants are elderly or in late middle age; they rely on social welfare and pensions to survive. (90 of the residents in Licko Petrovo Selo are elderly persons in need of medical access and 30 are middle aged women.) To access the nearest medical services returnees must travel at relatively great expense to the distant town of Korenica. Activities: Through the activities of "Tara", returnee women have already established the production of woven handicrafts and souvenirs which they sell to tourists visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park. Activities generated by this project will help further revitalize the production of traditional handicrafts. In addition to the provision of technical equipment to produce the handicrafts, weekly access to medical services will be provided to residents. The budget for the second aspect of this project is 10,000 USD. The sum will cover the following costs: The purchase and provision of a special software program which would enable the utilization of old traditional patterns into handicraft production will cost 2,500 USD; the purchase of wool and needed material for handicraft production will cost 2,500 USD; fuel costs for weekly transport of returnees and delivery of medicines will cost 2,300 USD; purchase of medical equipment for measuring blood pressure, checking the level of blood sugar and a scale will cost 400 USD; communications costs will be 100 USD; honoraria for one Project Coordinator is 1,200 USD; honoraria for one Field Assistant is 1000 USD. Bradtke