VZCZCXRO1415
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0407/01 1511528
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311528Z MAY 07
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9025
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 8837
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0060
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0395
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0374
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 0373
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 0367

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000407 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR PRM 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF EAID PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: FY 2007 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES 
 
REF: SECSTATE 27884 
 
LAGOS 00000407  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) 
promotional phase of repatriation for Liberian refugees at 
the Oru Refugee Camp in southern Nigeria is set to expire on 
June, 2007.  There are approximately 4,000 refugees remaining 
at the camp (3,200 Liberians and 780 Sierra Leonean) and 
approximately 275 individuals trying to integrate with the 
local Ijebu-Ode community.  Imminent closure of the refugee 
camp leaves local integration one of the few remaining viable 
options for refugees still at the camp.  For many of these 
refugees, some of whom do not speak English let alone Yoruba, 
local integration into the society and economy of Nigeria, 
where local inhabitants themselves struggle with poverty and 
unemployment, is challenging. 
 
¶2.  Post has received a proposal for the Ambassador's Refugee 
Fund to provide vocational skills training to 40 refugees and 
asylum seekers in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, near the Oru Refugee 
Camp (ORC).  Other details in the proposal are listed in 
paragraph four.  While Liberians make up the largest refugee 
contingent at the ORC, the vocational skills training would 
be available to all nationalities, including Congolese, 
Rwandans, Sierra Leonean, Sudanese, Cote d'Ivoirians, 
Liberians, Cameroonians and Guineans.  Skills training would 
allow refugees to become more self-reliant, contribute to the 
host economy, and contribute to their country of origin if 
they choose to return. 
 
¶3.  The proposed implementing organization for this project 
is the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), of 
the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.  JDPC has a 
code of conduct that meets reftel requirements and is a 
registered Non-Governmental Organization with the Corporate 
Affairs Commission in Nigeria.  JDPC operates throughout 
Nigeria and JDPC, Ijebu-Ode has worked with refugees since 
1990 when they first began to arrive.  JDPC also operates 
three programs (Diocesan Agricultural Development Program, 
Human Rights Program, and Women Empowerment Program) to 
strengthen women and rural communities, illustrating the 
organization's capacity and ability to manage the 
Ambassador's Fund for Refugees. 
 
¶4.  JDPC proposes to offer training in the following areas 
for 40 refugees: 
 
--Catering and Interior Decoration 
--English Language Classes 
--Plumbing 
--Air-conditioning and Refrigeration 
--Tye and Dye 
--Computer Studies 
--Spray Painting 
--Photocopying 
--Electrical Installation 
--Shoe Making 
 
¶5.  The total cost of this training is naira 2,721,600 
(approximately USD 21,345).  The JDPC would contribute naira 
281,000 (USD 2200) while the grant would provide naira 
2,440,600 (USD 19,142) in the following areas: 
 
--Quarterly strategic meeting with refugees at naira 15,000 
per meeting: total-naira 40,000 
 
--Payment for workmanship of 40 refugees with outside 
professionals at naira 15,000/person: naira 500,000 
 
--Monthly transport allowance for 40 refugees to their 
workplace at naira 1,000/month: naira 480,000 
 
--Monitoring of refugees at naira 15,000/month: naira 140,000 
 
--Purchase of tools at naira 15,000/refugee: naira 600,000 
 
--Salary for coordinating officer at naira 50,000/month for 
12 months: naira 500,000 
 
--JDPC Administration cost (8 percent): naira 180,600 
 
 
GRANT TOTAL:              naira 2,440,600 
 
LAGOS 00000407  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
TOTAL IN U.S. DOLLARS:    USD 19,142.00 
 
¶6.  Post has the authority and capacity to award this grant. 
PRM's consideration of this proposal is greatly appreciated. 
 
¶7.  For further information, contact Political Officer Amber 
Aura at AuraAA@state.gov or (234) 1-261-0050, ext. 254. 
LATIMER