FY 2009 Julia Taft Refugee Fund Proposal for Jordan

UNCLAS AMMAN 001408 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/ANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF EAID IZ JO SY LE SUBJECT: FY 2009 Julia Taft Refugee Fund Proposal for Jordan Ref: State 14280 ¶1. Summary: The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Jordan has requested Taft Fund assistance to purchase medication and equipment. The grant would support the operations of an existing health care clinic in Amman, which serves Iraqi refugees and Jordanians in need. The Church has been working with Iraqi refugees since the Gulf War by providing basic medical care and humanitarian assistance. Iraqi refugees in Jordan have stated that a major concern is inadequate primary health care resources and medication for chronic illnesses. The Church's proposal would address this concern and post recommends a USD 20,000 award to fund the clinic's work. End Summary. ¶2. The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church established the "Hope Clinic" in 1991 to provide basic medical services. (The organization also provides food and other types of non-food items (NFI) to Iraqi refugees in Jordan through other programs.) Over the past 18 years, the clinic has provided thousands of Iraqi refugees, many of whom are not served by UNHCR or other NGO's, with free primary health care and medication. The clinic is well- managed and has a good reputation with UNHCR and other organizations active in the field of refugee health. The clinic participates in UNHCR-led outreach, reaching potential beneficiaries through word of mouth and direct contact with Iraqi refugees. ¶3. Background: The twice weekly "Hope Clinic" seeks to address Iraqi refugee concerns in Jordan by providing primary health care. Currently, the clinic serves 170 patients per week, 75 percent of whom are Iraqis and the remainder of whom are Jordanians in need. The clinic also provides patients with informational brochures and conducts medical seminars. The clinic is run by three volunteer medical doctors, (two Americans and one Dutch doctor),with three volunteer nurses and three volunteer staff members. In addition, private church donations pay for operational costs and clinic maintenance. ¶4. Proposal: A request has been submitted for USD 20,000 from the Taft Fund to purchase new blood pressure cuffs, one-touch glucometer strips and lancets, hemocue test strips, urine dipstick test strips, a wall mounted electric otoscope, multivitamins for adults and children, and general medications. ¶5. RefCoord recommends funding this proposal for the full amount of USD 20,000 and confirms that the proposal fulfills the requirements for Taft Fund consideration per reftel instructions. This is an existing program with an excellent reputation that would clearly benefit from additional resources to better serve their patients from the Iraqi refugee community in Jordan. BEECROFT