Georgia - DHA-16: 1-31.Aug.97
Georgia - DHA-16: 1-31.Aug.97
Situation Report from the DHA Coordinator
in GEORGIA - No. 16
Period covered: 1-31 August 1997
EU TACIS Promotes Agricultural Credit Unions
The European Union's Counterpart Fund (CF) aims at finding
effective mechanisms to finance the private cereal producing sector
in Georgia. This includes working through commercial banks, thereby
providing them with institutional support.
In July 1996, the Ministry of Agriculture and TACIS, based on the
Counterpart Fund (CF) programme, founded a team for implementing
and managing credit unions (Credit Union Team), to supervise the
credit union project in Georgia. Project objectives include: (1) to
establish an additional maximally flexible mechanism for the
disbursement and utilisation of the CF funds in time, purposefully,
and effectively; and (2) to establish a new alternative village
financial structure, which will be well-fitted to the Georgian
reality and will play an important role in promoting the private
sector.
A credit union is a credit organisation, which is established
voluntarily by unification of the members, in order to mobilise and
save private funds of the members and to invest it effectively
among themselves, to attract and disburse low interest credit and
to offer other financial services to its own members.
In credit unions, the entrepreneur has access to the resources with
the same or smaller interest rates than commercial banks. Besides,
this creates a new, flexible financial institution, which could
play a major role in resource mobilisation for agriculture in the
future. Furthermore, this is an optimal way to promote and
stimulate the private sector in Georgia, while it enables the more
passive farmers to collaborate productively with more active and
resourceful ones, who can also provide qualified leadership for the
group.
By creating credit unions, the farmers achieve two goals: First,
they establish a structure, which will manage their finances; and
second, they gain access to resources with low interest rates.
Since the CF provides loans on very advantageous conditions, it
does expect credit unions to fulfil certain conditions. To be
eligible for CF loans, the credit unions should be set up by the
Credit Union Team. Each member of the CU pays a minimum share
capital of GEL 100. Normally, the credit unions receive loans from
the CF with 11 percent interest, and disburse to their members for
21 percent. The 10 percent difference is used for covering the
operational costs of the union and the rest of the profit is added
to the share capital. The farmers may also deposit their savings
for a fixed term.
The project aims to establish one credit union in each region of
Georgia. So far, three credit unions have been established in
Sighnaghi, Lanchkhuti and Khobi districts.
The Sighnaghi credit union was established in the summer of 1996
and comprises 41 farmers. The share capital consists of GEL 4,100.
The collateral consists of liquid assets of GEL 172,060, amounting
to 70 percent of the requested loan. The credit union received a
GEL 243,550 loan for wheat production and processing. The union
received the loan at 14 percent interest and issued credit at 19
percent. Members of the credit union rented 745 hectares of land
and planted wheat, oat and spring culture. GEL 482,100 gross income
is expected. The net profit of the credit union before tax is
estimated at GEL 9,979.
The Khobi credit union was started also in the summer of 1996 and
comprises 21 farmers. The share capital consists of GEL 2,380. The
credit union received a loan of GEL 238,210. The collateral is
valued at GEL 350,000, or 147 percent of the loan. The farmers
cultivated 570 hectares of land with corn and soy. Gross income is
estimated at GEL 360,700, and the net profit of the credit union
before tax-at GEL 16,042.
The Lanchkhuti credit union was started in December 1996 and
comprises 17 farmers. The share capital is GEL 1,800. The credit
union received a loan of GEL 212,735. The collateral is valued at
GEL 297,600, or 140 percent of the loan. Corn is cultivated on 463
hectares. GEL 4,450 is used for pig farming. The expected gross
income is GEL 389,500, and the net profit of the CU before tax -
GEL 14,712.
Presently, the crops in all three regions are in satisfactory
condition.
AIDS Meetings RenewedThe AIDS theme group called a meeting on 25
August 1997. The participants discussed the activities of the AIDS
Centre and the general situation of AIDS in Georgia.
At present there are 38 cases of HIV/AIDS infection in the country.
The estimated number of infected persons is 700. Reportedly, 11 new
cases of HIV/AIDS have been registered in Georgia in 1997, which is
higher than the previous year. This points to the increase in
dissemination of the virus in the country. The government is aware
of the urgency of the problem, but the budget constraints do not
allow it to allocate the necessary USD 1,200,000 to the
comprehensive AIDS prevention project. A decision was made to
allocate USD 440,000 for the year 1997 for HIV/AIDS prevention.
Instead of the planned USD 293,000 to be allocated to the programme
from January to August 1997, only USD 223,000, or 80 percent was
allotted. At the moment, a presidential decree is being prepared on
AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
The Georgian AIDS control centre has been implementing two
programmes: first, a national AIDS prevention and control
programme, and second, the 1997 programme for safety of blood and
blood products on transfusion-transmissible diseases (the safe
blood programme). The safe blood programme foresees obligatory and
charge free testing of blood donors for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis
B and C in every town and region of Georgia proper. The programmes
include conducting courses to train qualified personnel, repairing
laboratory premises and purchasing necessary laboratory equipment.
The last three months' blood testing found 304 cases of hepatitis C
of 2,000 donors (15 percent); 56 cases of hepatitis B out of 1,400
donors (3.9 percent); 8 cases of syphilis out of 990 donors (0.8
percent); and 2 cases of HIV out of 4,000 donors (0.05 percent).
The programme intends to test 20,000 donors by the end of the year
1997, and 36,000 donors in the year 1998. Other similar programmes
are also being conducted in different parts of Georgia. Statistics
will be forthcoming.
MAG's AIDS Project
A Georgian NGO, Multiple Assistance for Georgia (MAG), in close
cooperation with the Georgian AIDS control centre, has been working
on a preventive-educational AIDS project since 1994. In 1994,
together they conducted a sociological survey for medical and
service personnel. The survey showed a low awareness of AIDS
related issues among the population.
Following a recommendation of the Georgian AIDS control centre, MAG
elaborated a survey on AIDS awareness for university students in
Tbilisi. MAG surveyed 1,500 students, or 5 percent of 30,000
students studying at state universities and institutes. The survey
was conducted at all of the eight higher educational establishments
in Tbilisi. The results of the survey showed that students
participating in the survey had barely any information about AIDS,
the scale of its spread, means of dissemination, and related
dangers.
MAG published 500 issues of a booklet called What we should know
about AIDS, which was distributed between high schools and medical
institutions.
MAG also prepared a ten minute film, aimed at awareness raising of
the general population, describing the problem in Georgia, and
world-wide, and introducing preventive measures. The film was
demonstrated on two nation-wide television channels.
Multiple Assistance for Georgia is continuing its programmes on
AIDS prevention. Presently, MAG is preparing a poster for an
anti-AIDS campaign.
NRC Completed its Sewing Project in August 1997, the Norwegian
Refugee Council completed its third income generating sewing
programme for IDPs. A total of 600 IDPs were employed in the first
two projects in Borjomi, Gori, Mtskheta Tbilisi and Tskhinvali.
The sewing programme team purchased 200 sewing machines, cotton
material and other necessary accessories for the work. 8,878 sets
of patterns were prepared in the cutting room, which were
distributed to 200 participating IDPs to finish the production. The
process of cutting the patterns was improved by 2.7 percent after
the previous project.
11 groups, consisting of 150 IDPs, were organised in Tbilisi and
three groups, consisting of 50 IDPs, in Tskhinvali. Selection was
conducted based on vulnerability and skills.
The first month of the project was devoted to the preparatory
activities, such as organising groups and purchasing the necessary
materials. During the consequent five months, the sewing programme
team delivered two patterns per week to each IDP. At the end of the
week, the team collected half of the production for distribution in
medical institutions in Tbilisi and Tskhinvali. The other half was
left for the IDPs, as an in-kind payment. 6,676 sets of patterns
were delivered to the groups in Tbilisi and 200 sets to the groups
in Tskhinvali. The IDPs earned about GEL 40-60 per month. In
addition, the IDPs were able to fulfil private orders to repair
clothes or make new ones.
SECTORS
Agriculture
UNHCR completed an agricultural project consisting of distribution
of 7.5 MTs of potato seeds and 3.16 MTs of corn seeds for
approximately 600 returnees, IDP and vulnerable families in Znauri
district in South Ossetia. 30 MTs of potato, as well as vegetable
seeds were distributed to 3,000 IDPs and vulnerable persons in
Tskhinvali region.
Food Aid
Currently five WFP food-for-work programmes are under
implementation. The projects include rehabilitation of tea
plantations, iodine tea production, reforestation, support of
members of agricultural cooperative and repair works. A further
three FFW projects have been approved and 13 are being discussed.
IFRC distributed food parcels to 1,305 elderly pensioners in
Didube, Dusheti, Gldani, Lagodekhi and Rustavi. IFRC also
distributed bulk food to 1,520 patients of medical institutions in
boarding schools and hospitals in different parts of Georgia.
Health
According to the Minister of Health, the Japanese government has
granted Georgia medical equipment valued at USD 2 million. The
Japanese government also intends to provide assistance to
rehabilitate the centre of traumatology and orthopaedics, the
central hospital in Lechkhumi, the central republican clinical
hospital and the children's republican hospital.
>From 5-7 August 1997, UNICEF, in close collaboration with the
national centre for disease control, conducted a diphtheria
management training course in Telavi, Kakheti. Thirty participants,
comprising epidemiologists, infectionists and bacteriologists, were
introduced to specific preventive activities and laboratory
diagnostics, were given concrete instructions concerning
immunisation against every nosology; and were provided with
information to elaborate and implement preventive measures against
epidemics. All participants received copies of manuals on
diphtheria management and epidemiology.
Counterpart International made a delivery of medical supplies to
the primary medical facility in the Kodori Valley and provided IDPs
living in the village of Azhara with clothing and furniture. The
medical supplies were valued at more than USD 4,500 and the other
materials were valued at more than USD 87,000. The organisation
also provided the hospital in Mestia, Svaneti with bed pans,
bandages, cotton, stitching material, rubber bands, splints, blood
pressure measuring devices, stethoscopes, a medical table, cabinet
and chairs.
A seminar was held on 13-15 August in Tbilisi within the framework
of IFRC and Georgian Red Cross (GRC) joint programme for visiting
nurses. Main themes of the seminar included patient care and first
aid. The visiting nurses programme assists 3,500 elderly pensioners
in Georgia.
>From 20-22 August, IFRC held a seminar in Batumi for psychiatrists
working in western Georgia. The points of discussion included
international classification of psychiatric diseases (ICD) and post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Multi-Sectoral Aid in Areas of Return
UNHCR will distribute housing kits consisting of timber, roof
sheets, nails, cement and tools to 500 returnee families in South
Ossetia and Georgia proper. Ten villages will be targeted in Znauri
and Tskhinvali districts. Assistance will cover both Georgian and
Osset returnees. Additional assistance will be provided through
provision of household items. 115 prefabricated 24 m2 wooden houses
will be provided to returnees and IDPs whose houses are beyond
repair.
UNHCR will also rehabilitate five clinics and 21 schools in
selected villages to meet the needs of returnee families.
Rehabilitated schools should receive basic school material.
USAID Funds Youth Houses in Tbilisi and SukhumiThe United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided a USD
350,000 grant to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
in Georgia for the project: Youth Houses in Tbilisi and Sukhumi.
The project was inspired by a similar youth house programme
implemented by UMCOR in the former Yugoslavia.
Through improved access to extra-curricular and academic
activities, the youth houses will help to foster the well-being of
vulnerable youth, aged 10-16, living in the post-war period. UMCOR
plans to open one house in Tbilisi and one in Sukhumi. The houses
will serve a total of 1,700 youth.
Seven local NGOs will participate in implementing the project.
In Tbilisi, the NGO partners include Child and Environment, the Boy
Scout Movement of Georgia, IDP Women's Association, and the
Georgian International Psychical Care Association of Children and
Young Generations. In Sukhumi, UMCOR will create partnerships with
the Centre for Humanitarian Programmes, the Green Boy Scouts, and
the Computer Centre.
The youth houses are intended to give youth, who have been
adversely affected by the conflict, a sense of community through
educational and recreational support. Computer, art, music and
English courses will be offered as well as sports and recreational
activities, club activities, library services, and special seminars
and workshops. In addition, a joint newspaper will be produced by
members of each youth house with articles contributed by youth
houses in Sukhumi, Tbilisi, and Eastern Europe.
UMCOR has made a commitment to provide a youth house specialist
from Bosnia-Herzegovina, 20 volunteers from the US, and 7,000
school kits to the project as a complement to the support provided
by USAID.
German Delegation Meets NGOs in Sukhumi Two representatives from
the German embassy in Georgia visited Sukhumi from 19-20 August to
explore possibilities for supporting local NGOs. DHA provided
organisational support.
Funding for small-scale projects is available through the embassy's
annual discretionary fund, which is approximately USD 18,000 for
1997. The fund's priorities are fulfilling needs which will enhance
the work of NGOs, income generation, and, as of this year, projects
which support human rights. Recently, the embassy provided support
for an income generating initiative of the Widow's Association of
Georgia.
The delegation held meetings with four NGOs: the Civil Society
Development Centre, the Centre for Humanitarian Programmes, Civic
Initiative and the Computer Centre in Sukhumi which provides
hands-on training to children and adults. The organisations were
requested to submit proposals, in writing, for small-scale concrete
projects.
CSDC, an NGO founded in April 1997 in the northern city of Gagra,
focuses on civil education of children and adults suffering from
post traumatic stress disorder. The NGO presented a plan to
renovate a psychological rehabilitation centre in Sukhumi.
Civic Initiative, an NGO which promotes development of civil
society, presented a proposal to educate the general public about
civil and human rights and made a request for office equipment.
The Computer Centre discussed their need for rehabilitation of an
additional room in the building so that the school can expand.
UNHCR Boosts Programmes in Abkhazia The United Nations Department
of Humanitarian Affairs' Field Adviser in Sukhumi reports that,
UNHCR delivered 45 roofing kits to returnees in Gali. In the months
to come, the agency is expecting to hand out an additional 750 kits
to areas outside Gali, including Tkvarcheli and Ochamchire.
Last week, Accion contra el Hambre (ACH) began implementing an
UNHCR-funded project to repair 16 schools in Abkhazia, focusing on
schools in and around Sukhumi, Tkvarcheli and Ochamchire. UNHCR
will implement the repair of 14 additional schools in Gali. The
project, which will benefit more than 4,800 primary and secondary
school pupils, will include emergency repairs to the school's
electrical system, roofs, and walls. Approximately 5-10 local
people, will be hired to assist in the repair of each school nd all
timber, piping, and other supplies will be purchased locally. Work
began last week on two schools, Sukhumi school #9 and the school in
Eshera. Repairs on all 16 schools are expected to be completed in 8
weeks. In coordination with UNICEF, ACH plans to distribute school
supplies to all 16 schools in September. In addition, ACH, using
its own resources, will supply as many school canteens as possible
with kitchen sets.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
United Nations Office in Tbilisi, Georgia
Mr. Toby Lanzer
Tel.: (995 32) 94 31 63
Fax: (995 32) 95 95 16
E-Mail: toby@undha.org.ge
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Sylvia Ferazzi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1402
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Mr. David McLachlan-Karr
Tel.: (1 212) 963.0226
Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: mclachlan-karr@un.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org
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