Georgia - [DHA-17: 1-30.Sep.97]
Georgia - [DHA-17: 1-30.Sep.97]
Georgia
UN-DHA: 17
1-30 September 1997
COUNTRY STRATEGY NOTE PRESENTED TO DONORS
A briefing on Georgias Country Strategy Note was held on 10 September in
Moscow. It was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia,
H.E. Irakli Menagarishvili. Presentations were made by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, UN Agency Heads, IMF and a representative selected by
the NGO community in Georgia. The briefing was provided to the following
donors who cover Georgia from Moscow: Austria, Australia, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden.
The Government of Georgia received technical support from the UN in
preparing the Country Strategy Note, which covers the period 1997 to
1999.
The Country Strategy Note, includes the following priorities:
1. maintenance and re-establishment of Georgias territorial integrity,
2. formation of a nation-wide state management structure,
3. economic reforms and development,
4. reform of the judiciary and law enforcement systems,
5. social reform.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Marco Borsotti, spoke
of the process that the Country Strategy Note signalled. He explained to
the donors that the note is not a pledging document, but that it details
the Georgian governments priorities. The document serves as a guide for
donors, UN Agencies, and non-governmental organisations. Whereas during
the past three years, the UN has issued consolidated inter-agency
appeals for humanitarian assistance, a collective decision had been
taken earlier in the year that the appeals process should come to a
close and be replaced by the Country Strategy Note, which would include
remaining humanitarian needs, but frame them within a development
context.
Mr. Hunter Monroe, the International Monetary Funds resident
representative in Georgia, highlighted that the IMF views Georgia as a
success story. The gross domestic product grew by 10 percent in 1996 and
a similar rate is anticipated for 1997. The inflation rate during the
first eight months of this year was 2.8 percent, down from a peak of
15,000 percent. Tax revenue, while still low, has grown from only 2
percent of GDP to 9 percent.
Ms. Jacqueline Peters, UNICEFs area representative for the southern
Caucasus, highlighted the plight of Georgias children, stressing the
tremendous difficulties facing them in the education and health sectors.
Mr. John Murray, the World Food Programmes regional coordinator and
country director, explained that his agency recently issued an appeal
for food aid, which calls for continued humanitarian feeding for 120,000
persons, down from some 300,000 just one year ago. In addition, the
appeal seeks support for 10,000 families or about 50,000 persons who are
involved in food-for-work projects, such as the rehabilitation of tea
plantations.
Ms. Nancy Jackson, UNHCRs officer-in-charge, highlighted the shift in
emphasis in the agencys work, which now concentrates overwhelmingly on
areas of return, in particular the two areas of unresolved conflict,
Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia). Ms. Jackson also
highlighted the shelter issue in Georgia. Shelter, it was explained, was
a problem in the country before the break up of the Soviet Union. The
solution, Ms. Jackson stressed, lies not in the continued provision of
humanitarian assistance to communal centres, but in development donors
and agencies supporting the government to create conditions in which
sustainable housing is available.
Mr. Toby Lanzer, head of DHAs field coordination unit, made some
concluding remarks. He explained that Georgias progress during the past
two years was laudable and invited donors to build on the successes to
date. Much of the current economic upsurge, he explained, was generated
by the agriculture sector. DHA plans to continue work in Georgia with
its head office in Tbilisi and two sub-offices in Abkhazia and
Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia). It should continue to promote
information exchange, mobilise resources, advocate humanitarian
principles, and liaise between the political, military, and humanitarian
actors.
Copies of the Country Strategy Note are available from the Georgian
Investment Council and the office of the UN resident coordinator.
DUTCH DELEGATION VISITS GEORGIA
A high level delegation from the Royal Netherlands Foreign Ministry,
including the head of the humanitarian aid division, visited Georgia
from Wednesday 24 September to Tuesday 30 September 1997. The policy of
the Dutch Government is to approach humanitarian aid in an integrated
way, i.e., to view humanitarian assistance as one component within a
political-military-human rights-huma-nitarian whole. The aim of the
missions visit was to deepen the Dutch Governments understanding of the
overall situation in Georgia, with a special emphasis on humanitarian
action and the work of aid agencies in and around the areas of
unresolved conflict.
During the stay in Georgia, which was organised by the UN resident and
humanitarian coordinator, with support from the DHAs field coordination
unit, the mission visited Gali, Sukhumi, Zugdidi, Tbilisi and
Tskhinvali. Upon arrival, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator
provided an initial briefing before the delegation left for western
Georgia, accompanied by DHA. In Gali, the donors were briefed by UNOMIG
and UNHCR, which also showed the results of its successful shelter and
school rehabilitation projects. In Sukhumi, the delegation met de facto
officials, UNOMIG, UN and OSCE human rights officers, ICRC, and a group
of local NGOs, as well as visiting the tuberculosis hospital with
Medecins sans Frontieres-France and a soup kitchen with Accion contra el
Hambre. In Zugdidi, the donors were briefed by the International Rescue
Committee, and visited the NGOs agriculture and income generation
project sites. The delegation spent time with OSCE and UNHCR in
Tskhinvali and visited a rebuilt school. In Tbilisi, the guests held
meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Embassy, European Union
and ECHO, OSCE, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, UNDP Deputy
Resident Representative, and local and international NGOs.
THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES GRAVE SITUATION ON CEREAL HARVEST
In 1997, cereals were sown on 216,000 ha of land, including autumn crops
on 182,000 ha. Wheat was cultivated on 167,000 ha (77 percent). After
sowing and germination, the autumn crops were in good condition, but
drought, the storms and frost hindered the growth, germination and
preservation of crops. Crops which were ready to be harvested were
damaged in many areas. On 16,000 ha the crops were completely destroyed.
In addition, there were repeated hail storms and unceasing rain at the
time of harvesting (4-24 July), further damaging the crops and causing
the growth of weeds. In Telavi and Kvareli districts, 3,400 ha of crops
were damaged by hail storms. Thus, out of 216,000 ha, only 197,000 ha
remained to be harvested.
Instead of the expected 400,000-450,000 MTs of wheat, the Ministry of
Agriculture estimates the yield at 300,000-320,000 MTs. The loss
comprises approx. 80,000-150,000 MTs of wheat.
By 14 August 1997, 139,500 ha out of 197,000 ha (71 percent) were
already harvested. 258,000 MTs of wheat was collected. In Kakheti region
8,600 ha remains to be harvested, in Kvemo Kartli 12,000 ha, in Shida
Kartli 4,400 ha, in Samtskhe-Javakheti 21,600 ha, and in
Mtskheta-Tianeti 11,300 ha. Harvesting was stopped due to heavy rains on
6-7 August in Kvareli, Lagodekhi, Dedoplistskaro, Signagi, Akhmeta and
Telavi districts. Due to the abundant growth of weeds the damage is
estimated to increase in Kvareli, Lagodekhi, Signagi, Telavi and
Gurjaani districts.
Although the wheat and barley harvest increased by 94,000 MTs compared
to 1996, the average output of 1.8 MTs-ha is very low. According to
western standards wheat output should be an average of 9-10 MTs-ha.
It would have been possible to prevent much of the damage if the
fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides had been properly introduced.
Phosphorus fertilisers were introduced to 13 percent of the cultivated
area, nitrogen to 63 percent, potassium to 0 percent. Herbicides were
introduced to 23 percent of the cultivated area. The farmers were unable
to introduce fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides due to financial
constraints, although they were aware of the necessity of such measures.
Further, since the seeds were not properly treated before sowing, most
of the cereal crops are infected with funguses.
Presently only 30,000-35,000 MTs of wheat have been taken to mills. 3
percent is medium quality, 42 percent low quality, and 55 percent bad
quality wheat.
Of the expected 300,000 MTs of wheat, 10 percent will be lost during the
drying period, and 50,000 MTs will be kept as seeds. A total of approx.
200,000-220,000 MTs will be for local consumption, out of which about
50,000-70,000 MTs will be for sale. The total demand for wheat in
Georgia is 650,000-700,000 MTs. 100,000 MTs will be brought in by a US
contribution, leaving about 400,000 to be imported commercially.
Corn was sown on 230,000 ha, mostly in western Georgia. The crops have
developed well, but due to hail and rains half of the crops were damaged
on 3,000 ha.
Due to unfavourable meteorological conditions over 172,000 MTs of grain
has been lost. The damage exceeds GEL 51 million. (More detailed
information regarding ceral production damage caused by unfavourable
weather conditions, can be provided by fax, only upon request to DHA,
IASB-Geneva or CED-New York)
MEASLES AND DIPHTHERIA MASS IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN
In June-July 1997, the ministry of health, with technical assistance
from UNICEF, prepared a national measles control programme, comprising
an immunisation campaign and a disease control strategy. Currently the
control strategies are: (1) improving routine coverage for all citizens,
(2) mass immunisation of all children under 5 years of age, and (3)
establishing a surveillance system to assess the impact of the campaign.
The objectives of the immunisation campaign include: 95 percent coverage
at the district level for children up to 15 months of age, with one dose
of the measles vaccine, 90 percent coverage at the district level for
children from 2 to 5 years of age, with one booster dose of the measles
vaccine.
The public health department of the Ministry of Health (MoH) is
responsible of the implementation plan for the programme. The National
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will take the lead role. The
epidemiological service department of the NCDC has a team of eight
experienced epidemiologists at its disposal, and supervises
epidemiological services at the regional and district levels. The MoH
appointed the deputy head of the NCDC to be the national coordinator of
the campaign. UNICEF initiated the creation of an immunisation
coordination group, comprising UNICEF, WHO, MSF-France, MSF-Spain and
MSF-Holland. On August 12, a special meeting was held at the MoH, all
regional and district health directors were present. The national
coordinator of the campaign presented data on the target population, the
choice of dates for the vaccination campaign (15 September-15 October,
when most of the population will be back from the summer vacations), the
distribution plan for vaccines and syringes, the budget for in-country
distribution, field monitoring and supervision plan.
In the conflict zones of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, UNICEF will
seek the collaboration of MSF so that technical assistance is readily
available to the local health authorities. MSF has been active in the
conflict zones since 1993 and has offices in both Sukhumi and
Tskhinvali. It has both medical staff and the logistics capacity
sufficient to ensure implementation of the campaign.
UNICEF has brought 330,000 doses of measles vaccines, and 300,000 units
of 0.5 ml autodestructive syringes with needles and incinerator boxes
into the country. UNICEF will supervise their subsequent dispatch to the
regional and district cold stores. UNICEF has printed the following
campaign material: stickers for subway stations, buses and trains,
posters, vaccination record books (for proper calculation of the
vaccinated population), and vaccination certificates (for each
vaccinated child). A short film will be prepared for advertising on
channel one of the state television. UNICEF is also covering vaccine
distribution costs. These activities are co-financed by USAID.
>From 18 August, on UNICEFs recommendation, NCDC is conducting two-day
training courses in each region for health workers on the issue of
-safety of injections in mass immunisation campaigns.-
Simultaneously, the second round of the diphtheria mass immunisation
campaign for the 30-50 age group will be conducted country-wide. Persons
belonging to this group will receive a second booster dose of the TD
vaccine. Vaccines and syringes are brought into the country by UNICEF,
and distributed from the national cold store.
SECTORS
Agriculture
Premiere Urgence continues to implement the family allotments project in
Rustavi, funded by the British Know-How Fund. In line with the project,
the Rustavi municipality has loaned 11 hectares of land to the 40 most
vulnerable families in the city in order to increase their food
security. The project has developed successfully and the families have
reaped good harvests. On 11 and 18 September the cooperative will begin
a self-evaluation of quantities produced and of group functioning.
Education
UNICEF provided the Ministry of Education (MoE) with 872 sets of
classroom kits and 32 sets of medical kits to distribute throughout 35
childrens institutions. 55 sets of classroom kits, 2,089 notebooks for
the first grade and 153 packs of chalk were provided for distribution to
primary school IDP children. UNICEF also provided 230 sets of classroom
kits and 580 packs of chalk to UNHCR, Zugdidi, for distribution in
Abkhazia. The UNHCR mobile team in Tskhinvali received 95 sets of
classroom kits and 245 packs of chalk from UNICEF for primary schools in
South Ossetia.
Energy
The Georgian Ministry of Fuel and Energy and a Czech-Austrian power
company have developed a project to construct a new thermal electricity
station in Tkibuli district, Imereti region. The station with a
projected power of 125 MW, able to provide electricity for 35,000
families, will operate exclusively on local coal. Currently foreign
partners are negotiating with banking structures on the possibility of
crediting a USD 160-million project. Up to USD 10 million of the sum
will be spent on the Tkibuli coal deposits in order to ensure
uninterrupted coal supply for the power station. The construction is
scheduled to start in 1998. Three years will be needed to complete the
project.
Food Aid
Premiere Urgence is scheduled to distribute food preservation kits (oil,
sugar, lids, fresh vegetables and fruits) in Zugdidi (from 1 September)
and in the cities of Sukhumi, Ochamchire and Tkvarcheli (from
mid-September). Beneficiaries will be large vulnerable families, defined
on the basis of criteria such as lone parent hood, access to land,
income, number of children under 16. In Abkhazia, this work will be done
in close contact with other humanitarian organisations.
Health
UNICEF, CIF and the MoHs joint pilot project -Diarrhoeal diseases and
acute respiratory infections case management network in Tbilisi city-
was recently completed. The projects aim was to develop practical
recommendations for the state regarding the cost-effectiveness of
innovations in the case management of some of the most prevalent
diseases, such as diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections,
among children under the age of two years. It is intended to assist the
state in developing policy by providing necessary information and
indicators focusing on the comparison of changes in health care
expenditures and medical outcomes related to diarrhoeal diseases and
acute respiratory infections.
ISAR reports information about the Georgian NGO Association for the
Social Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Children which unites
about two hundred parents of physically and mentally disabled children.
Most of these children are ill with cerebral palsy, who are provided
with medical treatment at the childrens rehabilitation centre in
Tbilisi. Due to the high cost of the treatment, about 70 percent of the
sick children are currently unable to continue medical treatment and
their health is deteriorating. In response, the Association for the
Social Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Children managed to
persuade the state authorities that medical treatment for disabled
children from vulnerable families should be financed from the state
budget. In March 1997, the MoH created a working group, comprising
physicians and members of the association. The group is elaborating a
medical programme and will evaluate the cost of medical treatment per
patient according to state standards. The association is collecting
information about the social status and health condition of disabled
children in Tbilisi. According to an advance agreement to be reached,
the state will finance medical treatment for the most vulnerable
children.
Income Generation
Grants to farmers and small businesses recommended by IOCC staff in
southern Georgia have been approved by Save the Children. IOCC is
planning to provide the grants in the first half of September.
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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