PROPOSAL FOR 2009 JULIA TAFT FUND

UNCLAS KABUL 001344 SIPDIS PRM FOR PRM/ECA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PGOV AF SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR 2009 JULIA TAFT FUND ¶1. (SBU) We propose to use the Taft Fund to support building a medical clinic and expanding an existing school at Sohadat land allocation site (LAS),west of Herat. Sohadat LAS is a government-sponsored township for landless former refugees and internally-displaced persons (IDPs). Neighboring villages are also very poor, and underserved by provincial education and health organizations. Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) has been working with the community at Sohadat (formerly known as Taqi Naqi) for about six months, training teachers, providing part-time medical assistance, and developing essential infrastructure. The proposed construction would enlarge the existing school building enough to permit more grades to be taught, and children from neighboring villages to join children at Sohadat in gaining primary education. In addition to the direct benefit to the children, this will contribute to the returnees' local integration. The proposal would also provide a secure, private environment for visiting medical personnel to serve the community. The amount of support requested by JRS is small enough to be funded by the 2009 Julia Taft Fund. Project Description -------------- ¶2. (U) Sohadat LAS already has a four-classroom school building, funded by PRM and built by International Rescue Committee in 2007-2008. In April 2009 JRS began providing education services, with five teachers from Herat commuting daily to teach grades one through five. Initially 69 Sohadat children enrolled, but as more families moved to the site this spring, the number has grown to 98. Elders from neighboring villages have asked that their children, too, be allowed to enroll. ¶3. (U) The four existing classrooms are already too small for the enrolled resident children. There is no staff room, school office space, or space for extra-curricular activities. JRS proposes to build four additional classrooms, a staff room, a school office, and a boundary wall for the school and adjoining clinic (described below). With the additional space, more grades of school can be taught and neighboring village children will be welcomed to attend. The boundary wall may bolster girls' primary school attendance, as parents hesitate to send their daughters to exposed facilities. ¶4. (U) The population at Sohadat LAS is still too small for the Provincial Department of Public Health (DoPH) to provide medical services. JRS began providing weekly mobile health services to the community in early 2009. JRS supports a team of three doctors (two men and one woman) and a medical student who provide basic medical services, medicines, and referrals to the Herat Provincial Hospital. The DoPH has requested JRS to enhance medical services by appointing a regular medical team for the LAS. ¶5. (U) JRS and the DoPH have signed a memorandum of understanding, but have yet to implement it due to lack of dedicated space at the LAS where health services could be regularly provided. JRS proposes to build a two-room medical clinic. One room will be for the doctor/examinations, and the other will be for the pharmacy. The clinic will be enclosed within the same boundary wall as the school. Justification -------------- ¶6. (U) The proposed infrastructure is a one-time investment that builds upon previous PRM projects at the site. JRS will use construction materials left over from the IRC project at Sohadat LAS. This reduces waste, responds to a government request that the materials be used on-site, and assists the original intended beneficiaries. It is not/not a commitment to provide education or medical services. It is nevertheless a valuable contribution to the community, as it provides better access to education and medical services JRS is willing and able to provide. Lack of education and lack of medical services are two of the top concerns of repatriating Afghans, so this project would support Sohadat LAS residents' sustained repatriation. ¶7. (U) Because the expanded school will permit children from neighboring villages to participate in school, it will also lead the community a step closer to local integration. Friction can develop between long-standing residents of host communities and members of government-established LASs. This project will help reduce the possibility of jealousy developing over differing access to valuable services. ¶8. (U) Finally, the infrastructure project helps reinforce the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS). The LAS scheme is practically the only program under ANDS for Afghans returning from exile, and its success at this early stage relies on assistance from the international community. Enabling JRS to provide education and health services to this vulnerable population of returnees and long-term residents also supports the ANDS. Budget -------------- ¶9. (U) JRS requests $20,000, and Post asks to dedicate Taft Funds to support, expansion of the school and construction of a clinic. The total project cost is $40,585. UNHCR's Herat Sub-Office will deliver construction materials valued at $18,169. JRS's own contribution will be $2,416. The detailed budget is as follows: (Item; quantity; per unit cost/value; total cost/value for item) (all costs/values in US dollars) Metal interior doors for school; 7; 24.88; 174.16 Metal window frames; 33; 18.24; 601.92 Metal ceiling beams; 320; 30.20; 9,664 Kilned bricks; 126,000; 0.05; 6,300 Gypsum for plastering; 15,350kg; 0.06; 921 Glass for windows; 83 sq.m; 1.17; 97.11 PVC pipe 10cmx3m; 8; 3.60; 28.80 Hammers; 2; .09/ 1.8 Wheelbarrows; 10; 30.40; 304 Pickaxes; 10; 2.64; 26.40 Shovels; 25; 1.98; 49.5 Exterior doors for school and clinic; 2; 120; 240 Sand; 15 truckloads; 25; 375 C aggregate for flooring; 30 truckloads; 12; 360 Clay for mixing gypsum; 8 sq.m.; 12; 96 Labor costs; 1120; 3; 3360 Mason costs; 270; 10; 2,700 Electrical wiring; 36; 31; 1,116 Paint; 90 l; 7; 630 Foundation stones; 25 truckloads; 26; 650 Cement; 1,250 bags; 6; 7,500 Site engineer salary; 1; 1,000; 1,000 Supervisor; 1; 300; 300 Painter; tbd; tbd; 300 Administrative cost, 10%, 3,689 Total cost: 40,584.69 Implementing Organization -------------- ¶10. (U) JRS accompanies, assists, and advocates the cause of refugees, IDPs and returnees in 57 countries. JRS has worked in Afghanistan since 2005. JRS has offices in Herat, Kabul and Bamyan and focuses on long-term capacity building projects, leading to sustainable development and a better quality of life for its beneficiaries. Certification -------------- ¶11. (U) If PRM approves this proposal and provides post with an allotment notice advising funds are available for obligation, post certifies that it has the authority and capacity to award the grant to the intended recipient by the end of the current fiscal year. EIKENBERRY