The US Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is interested in innovative NGO proposals addressing the long-term needs of Afghan refugees as well as their host communities in Pakistan. PRM will consider proposals from NGOs with proven track records in implementing refugee assistance programs. Higher consideration will be given to organizations that have well-established operations in Pakistan.
As in past years, PRM generally supports activities in the areas of:
- vocational training and preparation for sustainable livelihoods;
- basic and maternal/child healthcare;
- primary education, teacher training, and provision of materials and equipment;
- prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV);
- water and sanitation systems rehabilitation and repair; and
- supplemental feeding and nutritional programs.
The following activities are priority areas for PRM in FY09:
- Provide or improve access to basic and maternal/child healthcare.
- Provide access to primary education for boys and girls. Educational programs may include teacher training and rehabilitation of existing school facilities.
- Conduct vocational training in marketable skills and, as necessary, provide the required tool set for the profession. Programs should seek to identify skills that would be marketable in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Programs must include a description of how program activities will fit into a phased transition strategy to locally available services or to self-reliance strategies. Programs should also include clear and effective plans for moving from relief to sustainability under local or national structures. This must be included even in camp-based situations where local services remain limited.
PRM will give particular consideration to NGOs that may be able to present projects that either coordinate with or fit into the UN-proposed Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas/Refugee Affected Areas (RAHA/RAA) Initiative. All projects should seek to address the particular needs of women and children.
