Georgia - OCHA-05: 01-31.May.98
Georgia - OCHA-05: 01-31.May.98
Situation Report from the DHA Coordinator
in GEORGIA - No. 5
Period covered: May 1998
Humanitarian Needs Assessed in Zugdidi Following Unrest in Gali
Since the resumption of hostilities in Gali on 20 May 1998, the United
Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that
up to 30,000 people have fled their homes in the Gali region. The government
created a special commission, headed by the State Minister, Mr. Niko
Lekishvili, to coordinate the international humanitarian response to the
situation. The Deputy Governor of Samegrelo, Mr. Michel Kanteria, was
appointed as liaison to the international agencies working in Zugdidi.
Starting on 22 May, international humanitarian agencies with offices in
Zugdidi, together with the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
(UNOMIG), have held regular coordination meetings usually daily to develop a
common approach to the crisis. Mr. Kanteria s office has been involved in
most meetings. On 27 May in Tbilisi, heads of agencies with offices in
Zugdidi met under the chairmanship of the United Nations Resident and
Humanitarian Coordinator and requested a rapid assessment of the most
pressing humanitarian needs of the newly arrived internally displaced persons
(IDPs) in Zugdidi and environs. The United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) facilitated preparation of the
report, in close collaboration with the government s coordinating body, UN
Agencies, international and non-governmental organisations. The report looked
at the following sectors: food, non-food, health (with water and sanitation
as a sub-sector), shelter, and psychological needs. The report identified
three particular priorities: non-food items (such as mattresses and kitchen
sets); water and sanitation; and the special food and health needs of
children. The identified needs and the response of the international
community so far are detailed below.
Food
The government provided 400g. bread to approximately 40,000 people daily, but
there remains only a one-week supply of wheat. Also, the government provided
sugar to approximately 25,000 people, but has about a two-week supply left.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International
Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and the World Food Programme (WFP)
have taken the lead in responding to the food needs of newly arrived IDPs.
On the basis of beneficiary lists provided by the government, the ICRC
distributed nearly 7,000 food parcels and blankets to more than 27,000 IDPs
(6,300 families) in 42 villages in the Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha area on 30-31
May. During the same period, the IFRC distributed 650 food parcels to 2,200
IDPs (550 families) in Zugdidi town. The target group was IDPs living in
newly created IDP centres. WFP is prepared to respond if additional food
needs are identified.
Government authorities have also requested that special consideration should
be given to the food needs of infants and children. An estimate of the number
of children under one year old and children aged 1-5 is needed in order to
determine the amount of food necessary to meet the needs of this population.
Non-food
The primary non-food needs are mattresses and blankets, kitchen equipment,
buckets and soap. The target group for non-food items is likely to be newly
arrived IDPs living in new collective centres, which are not equipped with
bedding, kitchen facilities, or adequate water and sanitation facilities.
IDPs must often collect water from outside the centre, sometimes from
neighbours or other IDP centres located nearby, which can put an additional
burden on already limited resources. The same applies for cooking
facilities. Currently, many IDPs in new centres rely on neighbours kitchen
facilities for preparing meals. Stoves, preferably those that do not rely on
electricity, and kitchen sets are urgently needed. Another need is plastic
sheeting to cover windows and doorways.
UNHCR has taken the lead in distributing non-food items, particularly
mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, soap, washing powder, and sanitary
napkins. UNHCR is in the process of procuring additional stock to meet
remaining needs in this sector. OXFAM, with an emergency donation of 200,000
ECU from ECHO, will also contribute to providing non-food items.
Health
Overall, both ICRC and Medecins sans Frontieres-Spain (MSF) assess that the
local health structures with targeted drug-supply support from these agencies
have the capacity to cope with the immediate health needs of newly arrived
IDPs and war-wounded. In the Tsalenjikha district, where MSF-Spain works, a
public information campaign is set began on 28 May to inform IDPs that they
have free access to health facilities in the district. MSF-Spain is also
monitoring the health situation in the district especially in terms of mother
and child health care to determine if additional interventions are necessary.
Some specific needs, especially in the water and sanitation sectors, require
immediate support.
Many public facilities (such as schools and hospitals where newly arrived
IDPs have congregated) have inadequate water and sanitation systems to cope
with the influx of people. Already, the number of cases of scabies and
dysentery is growing exponentially. This is due to inadequate sanitation, and
washing facilities, for both bathing and laundering. The problem is less
access to water than lack of private facilities for bathing. The
recommendation from both MSF-Spain and the International Rescue Committee
(IRC--which has done substantial rehabilitation work in the region) is to
develop existing sanitation capacity, rather than establish quick-fix,
temporary solutions (such as pit latrines).
IRC is conducting an assessment of the water and sanitation needs, especially
at new IDP centres. As part of ECHO s 200,000 ECU contribution to OXFAM, the
organisation will begin to address some immediate water and sanitation needs.
Another potential problem is the spread of contagious diseases, in particular
measles and diphtheria. The government structures, with MSF-Spain support,
have assessed the quantities of vaccines currently in stock and have begun a
public information campaign to encourage newly arrived IDPs to be immunised,
free of charge, at government health facilities. While the government is
well-stocked with most vaccines, there is no diphtheria/tetanus (DT) vaccine
available in the country. UNICEF has been made aware of the situation and is
trying quickly to bring supplies of DT vaccine into the country.
Shelter
In a preliminary assessment of new IDP centres, the International Rescue
Committee estimates that there will be a need for some roof repair,
installation of windows (or in the short term plastic sheeting), and
electrical work. However, some of the centres, such as abandoned factories,
are considered uninhabitable.
Psycho-social
A team of psychologists and social workers comprising UN Volunteers and
members of the IDP Women s Association conducted an assessment of the
psychological needs of new IDPs and proposed, among other things, the
following: organisation of mobile teams of psychologists for urgent crisis
intervention in the IDP centres; training of local Mingrelian-speaking
volunteers from the community in basic crisis intervention (active
listening); coordination of the activities all local psychologists and other
specialists.
Copies of the assessment report are available from OCHA.
United Nations and Donor Delegation Visits Zugdidi
A delegation led by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and
comprising representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy
of the United States of America, the European Commission, ECHO, USAID, OCHA,
WFP, and Accion contra el Hambre (ACH) visited Zugdidi on 30 May. The
purpose of the visit was to follow up on the rapid needs assessment report
prepared by OCHA.
The delegation met with representatives of the special commission designated
by the State Minister, Mr. Niko Lekishvili, to coordinate the humanitarian
response in Zugdidi; the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Refugees
and Accommodation, and the Chairman and Minister of Health from the Abkhaz
government in exile. The government representatives emphasised water and
sanitation, and special care for children (i.e., food and vaccination) as
priority needs, along with non-food items such as mattresses and kitchen
sets. The delegation was then briefed by representatives from the
international humanitarian community, including UNHCR, UN OCHA, WFP, ICRC,
IFRC, ACH, IRC, and OXFAM, before splitting into two groups for site visits
to new IDP centres both in Zugdidi town and environs. The group concluded
that some buildings temporarily housing newly arrived IDPs are uninhabitable,
with extreme unhygienic conditions. However, it was considered worthwhile to
propose infrastructure and water and sanitation improvements to other new IDP
centres, especially schools, which could benefit in both the short and long
term.
The delegation visit was followed up with a meeting of agency heads with
offices in Zugdidi, on 1 June at the UN in Tbilisi. At the meeting, ECHO
announced that 900,000 ECU is to be made available immediately for proposals
addressing urgent needs in the water and sanitation, non-food and possibly
food sectors. Earlier in the day, USAID also announced that they plan to make
immediate funding available, and that details will be forthcoming.
WFP Visits South Ossetia to Discuss "Food-for-Work" Project
On 7 May 1998, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director for Georgia and
Regional Coordinator for the Caucasus visited South Ossetia for investigating
possible expansion of WFP "Food-for-Work" (FFW) activities in the region. The
visit was facilitated and scheduled by OCHA s Field Adviser for areas
affected by the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict. During the visit the guest met
with the representatives of South Ossetian de facto authorities and briefed
them on the WFP activities in the Caucasus and world-wide. He noted that the
concept of FFW is new in the region, and therefore requires thorough study
and assessment, but in the meantime the WFP could consider some food
assistance to the soup kitchen which provides daily free meals to 100 of the
most vulnerable persons in Tskhinvali. Implementation of small FFW projects
was considered as well in order to get accustomed to the activities. It was
decided that WFP, with OCHA assistance, would translate the "FFW project
proposal workbook" into Russian, and forward it to the relevant authorities
in order to simplify preparation of FFW proposals.
UNDMTP Holds Regional Meeting
>From 11 to 15 May 1998, a meeting of representatives of Governments from
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia was held in Tbilisi under the auspices of the
UNDMTP (United Nations Disaster Management Training Programme). The regional
meeting focused on future cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia, building on ongoing national UNDMTP Programmes in each country. The
participants identified important fields for regional cooperation and mutual
interaction between the three countries. They agreed to establish regional
centres responsible for activities in the Transcaucasus: a centre for
technological and environmental hazards responding to the needs of Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan will be developed in Baku; a centre for seismic
protection and studies covering the region will be developed in Yerevan; and
a centre for natural disaster prevention and preparedness with regional
capacity will be developed in Tbilisi.
It was also agreed that further regional cooperation in Medicine of Disasters
should be developed in conjunction with the existing Eurasian Centre of
Medicine of Disasters in Yerevan. Representatives of all three countries
agreed on forthcoming joint activities to respond to risk reduction and
disaster prevention needs in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Medecins sans Frontieres-France Suspends Tuberculosis Programme in Abkhazia
Medecins sans Frontieres-France (MSF) announced on 1 May that it has
suspended its tuberculosis (TB) programme at the Gulripshi Hospital in
Abkhazia, Georgia. The decision was made after health authorities in Sukhumi
failed to comply with MSF requests for a medical director to be appointed to
the hospital; did not provide adequate security at the hospital; and did
not follow-up on World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols for treating TB.
MSF informed health authorities in Sukhumi that the programme could be
reinstated if all of the issues above were addressed. However, this would
only occur after a period of internal evaluation as well as training of
health authorities, doctors, and nurses involved in the TB programme. This
process is likely to take at least three months. In the meantime, MSF has
provided the TB hospital with six months of medications, enough to provide
full treatment to the 112 patients currently being treated. MSF began
supporting the Gulripshi Hospital, which specialises in treating TB, two
years ago. Since then, MSF has diagnosed 700 new cases of TB. Despite efforts
to promote proper treatment of the disease, protocols are often not followed,
patients and doctors do not always follow-through on treatment and, as a
result, resistance to TB medication could develop. MSF fears that improper
treatment of the disease could have a devastating impact on public health in
the long term, by introducing new, stronger strains of TB into the
population.
With the suspension of the TB programme, MSF has withdrawn four of its
expatriate staff who worked at the Gulripshi Hospital. However, MSF s other
programmes in Abkhazia, including distribution of basic medicines to
hospitals, polyclinics, and felcher points, and the free clinic for
vulnerable people in Sukhumi, will continue without disruption.
Global Financial Crisis Expected to Impact UNHCR Programmes in Georgia
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is experiencing a
global financial crisis. A shortfall of USD 73 million in General Programmes
is expected; consequently, all field offices and headquarters have
undertaken budget reduction exercises, in order to bring planned operations
in line with expected voluntary contributions.
UNHCR also anticipates a similar problem with its Special Programmes budget,
which receives funding from distinct appeals, such as the CIS Appeal for
1998, which covers UNHCR Georgia s programme. The original appeal for the
CIS was USD 37.8 million; UNHCR Geneva estimates that there will be a
shortfall of USD 9.6 million. As a result, UNHCR Georgia is reducing its
budget by USD 1.8 million.
The impact of these reductions on programming will be serious. It is expected
that: 300 fewer beneficiaries in Abkhazia will receive roof kits; 150 fewer
beneficiaries in the two former conflict zones will receive concrete block
houses; 2,000 fewer families will receive fertiliser in Abkhazia; 500 fewer
income generation kits will be distributed to vulnerable IDPs; 412 fewer
livestock kits will be distributed in areas affected by the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict. Two or three internally displaced persons (IDP) collective centres
will not be rehabilitated. In addition, there will be fewer training
sessions and workshops for law enforcement officials, and a severe
restriction of activities related to the return of property to victims of
ethnic violence.
Government Announces Summer Camp for Children
On 14 May 1998, a meeting to discuss the programme, "Future of Georgia" was
held at the Department of Culture, Science and Education at the State
Chancellery. Representatives from Embassy of Vatican, OSGF, UNICEF, UN OCHA,
WFP, ICRC, ADRA, IOCC, UMCOR, ACTS-Georgia, Caritas-Georgia, Horizonti
Foundation, and ITIC attended the meeting.
The programme is implemented by the Georgian government together with the
Children?s Federation. It envisages sending about 4,000 children to Ureki, on
the Black Sea coast. The main idea of the programme is to provide children
with summer camp opportunity in a healthy environment and make them friends.
The camp is divided into three terms. Duration of each term is 14 days and
about 1,500 children participate in it. This summer children of different
nationality are expected from all regions of Georgia. Guests from Azerbaijan,
Chechnya and western countries are also expected. The camp will offer
activities on a range of topics such as: journalism, environment, art,
music, poetry, law, and politics. Competitions in the arts and sports are
planned.
Vouchers for the camp have been distributed among the Ministry of Education
of the Abkhazian Government in exile, Ministries of Education of Tskhinvali
and Ajara regions. Some vouchers are set aside for gifted children.100
vouchers will be passed to international and local NGOs for sending children
under their care to the camp. Privileges for participation in the programme
are given to vulnerable teenagers, orphans, homeless, IDPs, and disabled, as
well as to children of large families, pensioners and single parents.
Advantage is given to those with excellence in academics, art and sorts. The
government plans to cover 90 percent of costs for the programme (mainly
accommodation and food expenses). Additional money is needed for holding
cultural activities, presents, and medical certificates. Transportation
within Georgia is free, and from neighbour and western countries is covered
by the sender country. Unlike the previous years the government cannot fund
the whole programme this year. Due to the funding decrease the amp will start
on 15 June instead of 1 June.
SECTORS
Food
The World Food Programme (WFP) has completed distribution of two-month food
rations consisting of 12 kg. of wheat flour and 1.5 kg of vegetable oil per
person, to the 93,000 most needy IDPs throughout Georgia. The wheat flour was
donated by USAID.
WFP has started implementation of six new "Food-For-Work" projects:
"Rehabilitation of the city park, Tskaltubo, West Georgia"; "Rehabilitation
of greenhouse, Gurjaani, East Georgia"; Rehabilitation of the ark, Rustavi,
East Georgia"; "Infrastructure rehabilitation in the village Duisi, Akhmeta
District, East Georgia"; and "Rehabilitation of the water supply system in
Dusheti district, East Georgia.? Over 1,000 workers are employed in these
projects, and each receives family rations (total 5,000 beneficiaries) of
wheat flour and vegetable oil as salary.
>From 14 April to 5 May 1998, WFP distributed six MTs of wheat flour to 700
disabled IDPs from Abkhazia. The request for food assistance was solicited by
the Abkhazian Association of Disabled People in March 1998. Taking into
account the hard living conditions of pre-monitored beneficiaries, and after
consultations with CBIHA, WFP decided to meet this request.
Several days ago free bread supply from the Government of Georgia was stopped
for IDPs from South Ossetia, living in the Hotel "Abkhazeti.? The IDPs will
be paid compensation instead.
The Georgian NGO Mizericord distributed children?s food to IDPs from the Gali
region.
Health
On 7 May 1998, the Georgian Foundation held a medical check-up at the House
of Mercy for elderly people of the Gurjaani region.
On 8 May 1998, the Georgian Foundation facilitated a charitable concert of
the ballet group "Grace" in the Gurjaani region. Profit from the concert was
donated to the Gurjaani House of Mercy for purchasing food.
The Georgian Foundation is continuing distribution of medical aid. To date
medical supplies were distributed to: the Sepsis Centre; Reumatology Centre;
Surgery Clinics of the Hospital #1; Society of Disabled Militaries - Demetre
Tavdadebuli; Institute of Paediatrics; Association of Protecting Mothers and
Children in Akhalgori; Ltd. Firm "MTD"; Academy of Science; Society "Door to
Nature"; Surgery Department of the Hospital #2; Revival Foundation of
Mtatsminda; Association of Mothers of Many Children; Saburtalo Region
Administration of the Georgian State Department of Veterans; Lagodekhi
regional Ambulatory; Humanitarian Drugstore "Malamo"; Dzegvi Orphanage;
Children of Disabled Militaries from Demetre Tavdadebuli; and Chiatura
Foundation for Protecting Mothers of Many Children.
Counterpart International delivered medical supplies to the Darcheli village
hospital, and Zugdidi Republican Hospital, which is a medical humanitarian
assistance coordinating headquarter.
On 18-19 May 1998, the Georgian Foundation distributed medical supplies to
Zugdidi hospitals serving victims of the conflict.
On 20 May 1998, Mizericord distributed different medicines, provided by the
humanitarian aid organisation of Israel Equilibre, to Zugdidi hospitals
serving victims of the conflict.
>From 1 to 25 May 1998, ACTS Georgia distributed 4,361 units of 22 different
medicines and 5,773 units of eight different medical supplies to 15 medical
organisations in Zugdidi, Senaki, Tbilisi, and Khashuri.
Shelter
On 23 May 1998, Counterpart International delivered aid to IDPs who fled the
conflict zone in Gali. Four trucks with a cargo consisting of boots, sleeping
bags, wool blankets, children s jackets, T-shirts, shorts, trousers and
medical supplies were delivered to Zugdidi to about 2,000 IDPs from the Gali
region.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On 12-14 May 1998, the IFRC Partners meeting took place in Tbilisi. The
meeting reviewed the situation in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in order to
assist the most vulnerable in the three countries, and examined supporting
programmes, prepared by Operating National Societies in cooperation with the
Federal Delegations, requiring outside funding. The meeting was attended by
ten participating donors from Belgium, Britain, Germany, Finland,
Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA; Operating National
Societies from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia; representatives from the
International Federation headquarters, and its delegations in the Caucasus;
and observers, representing the USAID, ECHO and ICRC.
As part of the CIS Conference follow-up activities UNHCR organised a workshop
for local NGOs entitled "Strategies for NGO Capacity-Building" on 12-14 May
1998, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The workshop was atttended by NGO representatives from Georgia, Russia and
Tajikistan. The main discussed issues were: setting objectives for a
Capacity-Building Programme: problem tree approach; evaluation and
indicators of success/failure; and UNHCR s cooperation with NGOs.
The Netherlands Royal Ministry of Economy plans to implement a three-year
programme supporting transport, agricultural and environmental spheres in
Georgia. For this purpose annually USD 1. 5 million will be allocated for
Georgia in the form of grants. The programme will be coordinated by the
Georgian Minister for Trade and Foreign-Economic Relations.
The Society "Biliki" is a Georgian NGO, established and registered in Gori in
1997. The organisation pays special attention to street children. For this
purpose the organisation has elaborated a project entitled "Gza" (path),
funded by ISAR-Georgia. The project envisages untraditional educational work
with children aged 6-14 years. The organisation provides after-hours classes
and excursions for street children and IDP children. Many street children do
not attend school outside of these classes. Wood carving, drawing, and
needlework groups are also organised for children. The organisation is ready
to cooperate with all interested organisations and individuals.
The address is: 26, Gorijeri St. Gori 383500, Georgia Tel: 2 13 82; 2 53 77
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
United Nations Office in Tbilisi, Georgia
Ms. Nino Zhvania Information Officer
Tel.: (995 32) 94 31 63
Fax: (995 32) 95 95 16
E-Mail: ocha@access.sanet.ge
Complex Emergency Response / Consolidated Appeal Process (CER/CAP) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Mr. Arjun Katoch
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1402
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Abu.Conteh@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
Information Service
Ms. Therese Gastaut - Director
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2300
Fax: (41 22) 917.0030
E-Mail: tgastaut@unog.ch
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