PRM Funding for Andes Region Refugee and IDP Assistance Projects

PRM currently has approximately $5 million available for projects in the Andes Region in FY 2009. Given continuing funding constraints and the uncertainty of future funding, PRM’s FY2009 priorities are only for activities in the Andes Region that fill critical emergency humanitarian gaps for refugee and/or IDP populations in Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela.

FUNDING PRIORITIES:

PRM provides assistance to Colombian refugees in the Andean region as well as to IDPs in Colombia during the emergency phase of assistance (approximately the first 90 days) (mid and long-term assistance to IDPs is provided by USAID). Priority countries in the Andean region include Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela. Each project will be funded for a period not to exceed 12 months. Project objectives should therefore be achievable within a 12-month time frame.

Priority sectors for PRM’s assistance projects include the provision of the following emergency services and items:

1. shelter;
2. direct health care (including psycho-social support);
3. water and sanitation;
4. food and non-food items related to the emergency phase of displacement; and
5. emergency employment income generation and training for persons displaced by armed conflict in Colombia.

PRM encourages assistance be directed to areas with high expulsor and receptor rates that are underserved by other humanitarian assistance organizations and to populations disproportionately affected by displacement, including Afro-Colombians and indigenous. In Colombia, the border areas near Ecuador (Nariño and Putumayo) and Venezuela (Arauca), Montes de María and the geographic span stretching from Buenaventura east to La Macarena are a priority for PRM. Outside of Colombia, priority areas are the high refugee receptor communities along the borders with Colombia in Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. In addition, we will pay particular attention to proposals addressing health care needs. Projects that work with local governments to strengthen capacity to receive and meet the immediate emergency needs of IDPs, as well as projects that are part of a broader integrated approach will be considered favorably. PRM will accept proposals from any qualified international organization (IO) or non-governmental organization (NGO); however, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that can demonstrate:

(a) proven track record in providing the assistance proposed;

(b) history of successful partnership with PRM;

(c) evidence of coordination with relevant governmental agencies, UNHCR, other relief organizations, and development organizations;

(d) appropriate targeting of beneficiaries in coordination with UNHCR and other relevant organizations; and

(e) a significant percentage of cost-sharing or matching funds.

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For more details on this specific opportunity, please click the “Full Announcement” Grants.gov link. For PRM’s general NGO guidelines, please click the Grants.gov “How to Apply” link. After you have read both documents, please contact Program Officer Kate Pongonis at 202-663-1035 (Pongonisk@state.gov) with any questions. Funding opportunity annoncements and PRM’s general NGO guidelines are also available on PRM’s website