PRM NGO Projects Benefiting Colombian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

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Current Funding Priorities for Displaced Colombians in South and Central America: PRM funding priorities for 2011 include filling gaps in the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance for particularly vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, including Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations; improving the response capacity of the government of Colombia to provide protection and assistance at the national and local levels; channeling program beneficiaries into government programs where they exist, and expanding support for refugee populations. Priority countries in the region are Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. PRM provides assistance to IDPs in Colombia during the emergency phase of assistance -- approximately the first 15-90 days following displacement. In Colombia, PRM seeks proposals offering comprehensive programs addressing the priority thematic and geographic sectors defined below during the immediate and emergency phases of displacement.1. Immediate and Emergency Humanitarian Assistance:- Provide food and non-food assistance for 15-90 days, depending on needs assessment- Supply basic health screening (including referrals) and psychosocial assistance- Offer emergency shelter assistance- Channel beneficiaries into government programs through registration of displacement claims2. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening:- Local level: Provide support to bridge gap in immediate humanitarian assistance depending on needs assessmenta. Work with local authorities to plan and budget for providing humanitarian assistance themselves (e.g., local integrated plans and budgets)b. Strengthen activities of IDP associations and social organizations (Municipal and Departmental displacement response committees)c. Identify emergency projects that will improve the local authorities capacity to prevent and to response to displacement (e.g., community centers/shelters and support to the government�s local IDP integrated assistance centers).- National level: Coordinate with relevant entities at the national level such as Acci�n Social, Interior and Justice Ministry, and Public Ministry in the identification and support of impact initiatives/projects that will help improve the government�s IDP policy and program response.3. Protection Mechanisms and Cross-Cutting Issues:- Prevention of and response to gender-based violence - Support effective mechanisms to link beneficiaries with government assistance programs and services to promote the effective enjoyment of rights, including community strengthening activities- Address discrimination in IDP host communities- Coordinate with other international organizations and NGOs efforts, including links with USAID-supported partners and programs.4. Geographic Coverage: Areas of focus should include zones with high levels of displacement and weak institutional capacity (selection of geographic locations should take into consideration presence of government services, ICRC humanitarian assistance, and other emergency assistance programs supported by international donors -- e.g., WFP, ECHO, etc), with particular consideration given to the following departments. - Nari�o, Putumayo, and Caqueta- Cauca, Valle de Cauca, and Choco- Antioquia and Cordoba- Arauca and Norte de Santander.In Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela and Costa Rica, PRM seeks proposals that fill critical gaps in humanitarian assistance and integration support for refugee populations, including in the priority sectors listed below. 1. Emergency Humanitarian Assistance:- Provide food and non-food items- Support access to health services and psychosocial assistance- Offer emergency shelter assistance.2. Support livelihoods and Integration Activities:- Provide income generation and productive projects (including micro-finance programs) as well as employment counseling, vocational training, and maintaining job banks- Support access to primary education and activities with at risk youth- Promote socio-cultural integration activities, seeking to build bridges and foster participation with host communities.3. Protection Mechanisms and Cross-Cutting Issues:- Improve access to and provide information on refugee reception, orientation, registration, and documentation processes- Address xenophobia and discrimination against refugee and asylum seekers- Prevention of and response to gender-based violence- Include activities to prevent and/or respond to risks for trafficking in persons, labor and sexual exploitation, and unaccompanied minors in refugee and host communities.4. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening:- Provide assistance and support to host government entities responsible for registration, documentation, and integration of refugees and other persons of concern- Offer relevant training on respect for refugee and asylum seeker rights to local and national government authorities, including members of migration, police, military, and social service agencies.5. Infrastructure Projects: Support refugee and host communities with small infrastructure projects, including water and sanitation projects, improvement to school facilities hosting refugee children, upgrade and maintenance of shelters for refugees, SGBV victims, and unaccompanied minors. 6. Geographic Coverage: Areas with significant populations of refugees and asylum seekers, weak institutional capacity, including in both rural and urban settings. - Ecuador: Sucumb�os, Imbabura, Carchi, Esmeraldas, Pichincha, Guayas, Santo Domingo, and Azuay- Panama: Darien, Panama City, and Col�n- Venezuela: Zulia, Tachira, Apure, Merida, and Caracas- Costa Rica: San Jose, Desamparados, and Alajuela.

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