PROPOSAL FOR THE FY 2009 JULIA TAFT FUND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 001425 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PGOV AF PK SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR THE FY 2009 JULIA TAFT FUND 1.(U) Embassy Islamabad proposes to use 2009 Taft Fund resources to support installation of water hand pumps in Barakai refugee camps in Swabi District in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). This is a one-time project proposal from the International Medical Corps (IMC) to increase the supply of clean water to Afghan refugees in the Barakai camps. IMC has been providing primary health care through Basic Health Units in both camps since 2003 with support from PRM. Gaps in water provision in the Barakai camps were observed during a monitoring and evaluation visit by Embassy's Refugee Affairs Specialist, and community leaders highlighted the need for increased provision of clean water. IMC has been recommended for continuation of its health project in Barakai through a separate funding mechanism by PRM. The proposed Taft Fund project will meet an identified gap not covered in that proposal. IMC works closely with the refugee community and, through Barakai camp committees, can promote sustainability of the project. Project Description -------------- 2.(U) IMC proposes to install 14 water hand pumps in pre-identified selected locations in the two Barakai camps. Installation of hand pumps provides an indigenous low cost technology with no recurrent electricity expenses or other related maintenance and operations costs. Once properly installed, the hand pumps can easily be operated and repaired by the local community without any external support. In addition, an IMC Community Mobilizer selected from the community will revive and activate the water user committees already established in the camps and, through these committees, will involve the beneficiaries in site identification, planning, monitoring, and proper maintenance of the hand pumps. The community will thus play a central role in the implementation of the project and ensuring its sustainability. 3.(U) IMC will train the water user committees in use and proper maintenance of the hand pumps. According to IMC, the community has also indicated that it is ready to contribute in cash up to ten percent of the cost of installation of the hand pumps. This contribution, which will be made by the households which will directly benefit from the pumps, will instill in the community members a sense of ownership and an increased interest in maintaining the hand pumps after the installation. It will thus further ensure the sustainability of the initiative. 
 4.(U) IMC assures us that its engineers have checked with the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) and irrigation department to ensure that pumps will have no significant effect on the water table. They indicate that Swabi is among NWFP districts where water is in abundance. Due to the presence of Tarbela Dam and extensive irrigation in the area, the water table in Swabi has been rising over the years. The Barakai camps and surrounding areas also have significant numbers of trees and plants which also help in water retention. Justification -------------- 5.(U) These hand pumps will benefit approximately 2,100 individuals and fill a gap in clean water provision caused by the steady increase in the Afghan refugee population in the camps and a resulting decrease in water pressure within the water supply systems. (The current population growth rate for Afghans in Pakistan is 3 percent/year.) 6.(U) The available water supply schemes do not adequately fulfill the needs of the over 50,000 people living in the two refugee camps. There are several sources of water at the camps. The main source is a piped water supply system with community water points, which are managed by the water user committees. With an increase in camp populations over time, unauthorized connections to the pipes have decreased water flow and pressure such that people farthest away from the water source are barely able to get any water from this system. Some hand pumps and dug wells are in use in the camps to supplement the water supply system, but there are still parts of the camps where water availability is an issue. Refugees from these areas have to travel quite a distance to get water. 7.(U) With the decreased access to water supply, even if it is safe for drinking, residents conserve available water for drinking purposes only and therefore decrease water use for health and hygiene purposes, such as washing hands, clothes and dishes. Decreased access to water thus risks poor hygiene and sanitation practices potentially leading to diseases like diarrhea, scabies, tuberculosis and hepatitis A. This project will help reduce the chance of disease. The IMC strategy of encouraging community participation, requiring a cash contribution by refugees, and activating and building the capacity of the existing water user committees will help ensure that trained committees are responsible for taking care of the water pumps in the future and that the pumps are thus sustainable well beyond the project life. Upon repatriation, the trained individuals can take with them the technology, knowledge and skills acquired in this project for use in Afghanistan. ISLAMABAD 00001425 002 OF 002 Budget -------------- 8.(U) IMC requests USD 19,945 to be spent as follows. An expanded version of the budget is available. Budget Breakdown Amount in USD -------------- --- Personnel cost 2,940 Staff benefits 147 Travel and per diem 300 Supply and material costs 11,800 Other direct cost 963 -------------- Total Direct Costs 16,150 Indirect costs 3,795 -------------- Total Project Costs 19,945 Implementing Organization -------------- 9.(U) IMC, headquartered at 1919 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 400 in Santa Monica, California, is a long-time implementing partner of PRM in Pakistan and other countries and coordinates its Pakistan country activities with UNHCR, government offices, and other NGOs. It is in compliance with PRM policy on, and has provided a signed copy of, the code of conduct of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. PRM currently funds two IMC projects (primary health care and gender-based violence awareness/protection) in Pakistan. Certification -------------- 10.(U) If PRM approves this proposal and provides post with an allotment notice advising that funds are available for obligation, post certifies that it has the authority and capacity to award the grant to the intended recipient agency prior to the end of the current fiscal year. PATTERSON