US embassy cable - 05AMMAN5053

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005053 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PRM/ANE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PREL, EAID, KPAL, JO 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADORS' FUND FOR REFUGEES: FY 05 FUNDING 
REQUEST FOR JORDAN 
 
REF: STATE 27113 
 
1.  Embassy Amman received applications from twenty-three 
Jordanian organizations seeking to participate in this 
year's Ambassadors' Fund for Refugees initiative (reftel). 
The Charge requests USD 17,450 to support a project by the 
Zahr Al Basateen Charity Association to establish a 
physiotherapy center in Jordan's second largest refugee 
camp (Wihdat). The project would fill a clear gap in 
existing UNRWA health programs and be self-sustaining.  If 
the Department cannot fund this project, or if additional 
funds become available, post requests that the Department 
consider funding an UNRWA community-based organization's 
proposal to create a women-only business center/internet 
cafe in an informal Palestinian refugee camp in Madaba. 
Project descriptions follow. 
 
PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTER IN WIHDAT CAMP 
----------------------------------- 
 
2.  The Zahr Al Basateen Charity Organization (AKA Thekreen 
Association), a Jordanian NGO registered with the Ministry 
of Social Development, currently provides low-cost 
specialized dental and gynecological services to refugees 
in Jordan's Wihdat Camp (AKA Amman New Camp), which houses 
50,600 Palestinian refugees and is the second largest 
refugee camp in Jordan.  The Thekreen Association is 
seeking USD 17,500 to establish a new physiotherapy center 
in its existing health clinic that would target children 
with cerebral palsy and elderly paraplegics as well as 
refugees requiring physical therapy to recover from 
accidents.  UNRWA operates several primary health clinics 
in Wihdat but is unable to provide specialized therapy.  To 
ensure this project's sustainability, Threkreen plans to 
charge JD 3-5 per patient, depending on the individuals 
economic status and health conditions.  With these nominal 
fees, it estimates that it can generate JD 600 annually, 
which would cover an estimated JD 400 in annual running 
costs.  It plans to use any profit to start expanding its 
physiotherapy services to other refugee camps in Jordan. 
 
3.  Thekreen is governed by an elected board and has a 
volunteer health committee composed of doctors accredited 
with the Ministry of Health.  It has established financial 
controls in place.  One board member, a trained 
physiotherapist certified with the Ministry of Health, 
would direct the new physiotherapy center. 
 
4.  ESTIMATED BUDGET (in USD) 
 
USG CONTRIBUTION: 
 
Electrotherapy Unit              2,786 
Ultrasound Therapy Unit          1,900 
Portable Combined Electrotherapy 3,000 
and ultrasound unit 
Hydroclatter and Hot Packs       1,571 
Paraffin Wax Unit                  885 
Shoulder Wheel                     643 
Muscle Strengthening Unit        1,714 
Infrared Unit                      614 
Paedriatic Set (standing frame,  3,571 
gymnastic ball, crutches, walkers) 
Couches                            314 
Wheelchairs                        428 
Total:           17,426 
 
 
WOMEN-ONLY BUSINESS CENTER/INTERNET CAFE IN MADABA 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
5. The Women's Program Center (WPC) in the informal Madaba 
camp seeks USD 17,150 to establish a women-only business 
center/internet cafe that would support an existing 
micro-credit lending program and offer a safe internet 
facility for female students above the age of 12.  The 
Madaba WPC reports, based on a preliminary interest survey, 
that internet facilities in Madaba are limited and that 
refugee women in this Palestinian refugee community of 
about 10,000 residents, established in 1956, do not 
patronize existing facilities due to cultural prohibitions 
against mingling with men in public spaces.  Because the 
Madaba WPC does not have access to UNRWA-owned buildings, 
it plans to establish the cafe in a rented commercial space 
and charge nominal fees to recover its operating costs 
after the first year.  The project would further U.S. goals 
of promoting gender equality and access to information 
technology. 
 
6.  The Madaba WPC was established in 1985 and is an 
independent community-based organization with quasi-NGO 
status.  It is governed by an elected board and receives 
technical assistance, including financial and management 
oversight, from UNRWA.  It has established financial 
controls.  In addition to its micro-credit loan program, 
the Madaba WPC currently offers sewing and handicraft 
courses and legal counseling. 
 
7.  ESTIMATED BUDGET (in USD) 
 
USG CONTRIBUTION: 
 
10 Computers                     5,714 
Internet Subscription            1,000 
20 Chairs/10 Tables              1,000 
10 Printers                      1,429 
Network Server                   1,000 
First-year Technician Salaries   1,714 
First-year Hall Rental           1,714 
Administrative Office Furniture  2,143 
Stationary/CDs                   1,429 
Total:           17,143 
 
HALE