Portugal : commodity financing and cash allowances for refugee assistance

THE BULK OF TOTAL GRANT FUNDS WILL BE DISBURSED IN THE FORM OF REIMBURSING GOP FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES. IARN ASSISTED IN AIRLIFT FROM ANGOLA AND MEETS REFUGEES AT AIRPORT, CONDUCTS THEM TO TEMPORARY HOUSING, AND INTERVIEWS FAMILIES ABOUT ASSETS, NEEDS, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS AND MEDICAL HISTORIES, ETC, FORWARDING INFO TO CENTRAL RECORD CENTER. AVERAGE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE PER FAMILY IS EXPECTED TO BE $1,200. REFUGEES WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS IN PORTUGAL ARE GIVEN TICKET TO DESTINATION PLUS $200 AND CLOTHING AND BLANKETS. $100 PER MONTH IS SUBSEQUENTLY PROVIDED. LIMITED BASIC GOODS SUCH AS CLOTHING, BLANKETS, MATTRESSES, BEDS, COOKING UTENSILS, AGR HAND TOOLS, TRADE EQUIP, CONSTRCTN MATERIALS ARE DISTRIBUTED ON SELECTIVE BASIC. MEDICAL SERVICES & EDUC GRANTS ALSO PROVIDED. IRAN WILL BUY ABOVE MENTIONED SUPPLIES AFTER ADVERTISING FOR BIDS IN PORTUGAL. CHOSEN SUPPLIERS WILL SHIP COMMODITIES TO INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS. EACH DISTRICT HAS OFFICE OF MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS & SOME HAVE RED CROSS TO BE USED AS ASSIST OUTLETS. PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR SUBMISSION OF PERIODIC RPRTS BY IARN TO MONITOR PROGRAM PROGRESS. IN ADDITION TO CASH & COMMODITIES, AID WILL FINANCE CONVERSN OF PUBLIC FACILS INTO TEMPORARY FAMILY HOUSING & AID TECH ASSIST WILL HELP DEVELOP A SMALL LOAN PROG IN EACH OF PORTUGAL"S 22 DISTRICTS TO ENCOURAGE EMPLYMNT & HOUSING CONSTRCTN OR EXPANSION, PRIMARILY IN RURAL AREAS. AID-RECRUITED ADVISOR WILL HELP GOP SET UP & MANAGE THE PROG. WHEN IT IS FULLY PREPARED, INCLUDING ESTAB OF LOAN REVIEW & APPROVL PROCEDURES, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIAM LOAN TERMS & ADMIN STRUCTURE, THEN GRANT FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR LOAN DISBRSMNT. LOAN PRIORTIY WILL BE GIVEN TO REFUGEE FAMILIES OR GROUPS OF REFUGEES DESIRING TO ESTAB PRODCTVE AGR OR INDUSTRL ENTERPRIZES. MAXIMUM BORROWING CAPACITY WILL BE 50,000 ESCUDOS PER PARTICIPANT FAMILY. REMAINING FUNDS WILL SUPPORT CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICE PROG. AID INTENDS TO EVAL GENERAL IMPACT OF KEY ELEMENTS.