VZCZCXRO6079
RR RUEHBW
DE RUEHVB #0352/01 1270641
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060641Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8871
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0007
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0293
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0736
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