VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKL #0373 1340649
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 130649Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0978

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000373 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, PRM/ANE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF MY
SUBJECT: FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR PRM AMBASSADORS, FUND FOR 
 
REFUGEES 
 
REF: SECSTATE 06779 - PRM FY 2008 AMBASSADORS, FUND 
 
 ¶1.  Post submits for funding consideration the following 
proposal from Kumpulan A.C.T.S. Bhd. (an acronym for A Call 
to Serve, hereafter ACTS.)  Post enjoys a successful working 
relationship with ACTS, which has appropriately used previous 
USG funds.  The proposed grant would provide critical funding 
to a convalescent home for refugees and asylum seekers 
located in Malaysia.  These refugees and asylum seekers are 
predominantly from Burma but also include Sri Lankans and 
Iraqis.  The full grant proposal including supporting 
documentation will be sent to PRM/ANE via a separate email. 
 
¶2.  Recipient: An NGO founded in 2003, ACTS has been an UNHCR 
implementing partner since 2004 and has previously received 
USG funding.  ACTS is a Jesuit organization affiliated with 
the Catholic Church and Jesuit Relief Services.  ACTS 
maintains a code of conduct consistent with the UN IASC's six 
principles as per REFTEL.  ACTS provides physical and mental 
health care to refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, 
primarily Chin refugees from Burma.  These services are 
offered through clinics, hospital referrals, a temporary 
shelter home, and a convalescent home for women and children 
known as PERCH 2.  This proposal provides funding to an 
additional convalescent home specifically for men called 
PERCH 1.  An FY06 State Department grant provided the initial 
funding for PERCH 1 and it has since served a total of 503 
refugee patients.  Ongoing operational costs are funded 
primarily from private donors.  ACTS seeks $20,000 to provide 
refugees at PERCH 1 the ability to obtain medical attention 
at local hospitals and clinics. 
 
¶3. Justification: The Government of Malaysia (GOM) does not 
distinguish between refugees and illegal immigrants, making 
it difficult for refugees to access proper medical attention. 
 Refugees are subject to arrest, detention, caning, 
deportation, and human trafficking.  ACTS is able to fill an 
important need in providing health care and temporary shelter 
to those who would otherwise go without.  The staff of PERCH 
1 works with UNHCR to provide referral letters to hospitals 
and clinics.  ACTS pays for these treatments as funding is 
available.  While most of ACTS programs are sufficiently 
funded for the year, PERCH 1 requires additional funding in 
order to meet its two goals of providing at least 20 
referrals each month and paying for at least 30 medical 
treatments each month. 
 
¶4. Grant Authority: Post has the authority and capacity to 
award a grant to the proposed recipient prior to the end of 
the fiscal year. 
KEITH