The RISP mission is “to support returnees who seek assistance in becoming independent and productive members of society.” In some cases, this may best be achieved by providing direct financial assistance to individual returnees in the form of grants, loans or scholarships.  Due to donor guidelines, general RISP program funds cannot be used in this way. RISP has, therefore, established a Returnee Assistance Fund (RAF), managed by RISP case management and supported by colleague organizations and private donors. 

Each request for financial assistance must be submitted through a case manager who will be responsible for gathering relevant information and presenting the request to the case management team for consideration. The case management team then formulates a proposal for the disposition of the request and submits a recommendation to a review panel consisting of the RISP program manager or deputy program manager, a representative from the Veterans International / Cambodia finance office and a representative from the NGO or donor community. The review panel may approve, disapprove or request more information or clarification on the case management team’s recommendation.

RAF funds may be used in the following ways:

1. Special Needs Funds – Funds used in direct support of returnees who have no regular outside support and have some physical or psychological condition preventing them from supporting themselves or living independently. Funds may be used to provide food, shelter, clothing, toiletries, snacks, recreation, transportation, field trips, incidentals, etc. A returnee may be categorized Special Needs either temporarily (e.g. as the result of an accident or during drug rehabilitation or incarceration) or permanently (e.g. as a result of persistent mental illness). Each case is carefully and regularly monitored by the RISP case management team in consultation with appropriate medical and/or mental health professionals and must be approved by the RAF review panel.
    

2. Launch Grants – Grants of up to $100 are given to returnees who have no regular outside support, have found legitimate employment but have not yet received the first month’s salary. These grants may be used to pay for food, housing, transportation and incidentals during the first month of employment. Each launch grant is based on need and is monitored by a RISP case manager, reviewed by the case management team and must be approved by the RAF review panel.
    

3. Emergency Grants & Loans - Grants or loans of up to $100 may be given to returnees who face especially difficult circumstances (e.g. accident or illness of the returnee or a dependant, loss of property in a fire, etc.) or have some other urgent financial need (e.g. to pay for a wedding, funeral, surgery, etc.). Emergency grants and loans cannot be used to pay legal expenses, fines or any related fees or gratuities. The RISP case management team recommends whether a grant or interest-free loan is appropriate.  Income from loan repayments goes into the Returnee Assistance Fund.
    

4. Small Business Grants – RAF funds may be used to provide resources needed by a returnee to engage in some income-generating activity. This could be tools for a carpenter, plumber, electrician or barber or start-up capital to open a small business. These grants require a formal proposal written by the returnee requesting the grant and must be supported by regular reporting. Each grants is based on need and is monitored by a RISP case manager, reviewed by the case management team and must be approved by the RAF review panel.  

Scholarships – RAF funds may be used for formal academic or vocational study programs. Scholarship assistance is based on need, monitored by a RISP case manager, reviewed by the case management team and must be approved by the RAF review panel.  

Donations in any amount to the Returnee Assistance Fund are most welcome. All donations to this Fund are for direct financial assistance to returnees as described above. Donations should be directed to RISP through the donations page on the RISP web site. For further information, contact donations@rispcambodia.org .