Georgia - OCHA: 01-30.Jun.98
Georgia - OCHA: 01-30.Jun.98
Situation Report from the DHA Coordinator
in GEORGIA - No. 6
Period covered: June 1998
The Humanitarian Situation in Western Georgia
Following meetings chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator
(UN RHC), with governmental officials, donors, and international
humanitarian agencies, initially three working groups were established to
prepare emergency proposals to meet the urgent needs of the newly arrived
internally displaced persons (IDP) for a period of three months. The
working groups focus on food, non-food, and water-sanitation. An
additional working group on shelter was then established. The working
group on food includes the World Food Programme (WFP), the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Accion contra el Hambre (ACH) and the
Salvation Army. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ICRC, the
Federation, OXFAM-UK, and Counterpart International comprise the non-food
group. The water-sanitation and shelter group includes UNHCR, the
Federation, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Nuova Frontiera,
OXFAM-UK, with support from Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the
Salvation Army. Additional proposals to address urgent psycho-social needs
were prepared by the IDP Women's Association and the Norwegian Refugee
Council (NRC). MSF-Spain also submitted a proposal to strengthen local
capacities to respond to emergencies in the health sector. OCHA has
facilitated the coordination efforts, attending and reporting all meetings
as necessary.
The emergency proposals were compiled by OCHA into the document, "The
Humanitarian Situation in Western Georgia: Response Proposals,? and
funding for these was made available by ECHO and USAID. The document was
also presented to the larger donor and diplomatic communities of Tbilisi
and Moscow, at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Tbilisi, called by the
Foreign Minister and the UN RHC on 4 June. ECHO and USAID announced that
they would only accept proposals prepared and submitted through the
established working groups.
Food
During the first week of June, ICRC and the Federation completed
distribution of food parcels to newly arrived IDPs in Zugdidi town, the
Zugdidi district (42 villages), as well as in the Tsalenjikha district.
Also, WFP began provision of wheat flour and oil to the government for
bread distribution to approximately 28,000 newly arrived IDPs in the
Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha districts. The wheat flour has recently been
extended to cover needs through the end of July.
On 17 June the Salvation Army opened two soup kitchens; one at the Paper
Factory in Zugdidi town which serves one hot meal daily to 1,300
beneficiaries, and one in Jvari, serving 1,000 beneficiaries daily. The
kitchens target lone elderly people, disabled, and single mothers with
three or more children among the new IDPs. The Salvation Army hopes to
increase its capacity to at least 3,000 beneficiaries and to broaden the
scope of the programme to cover other areas in Zugdidi area.
Currently the working group is in the process of devising a strategy for
an additional food distribution, expected to take place in July. The
possibility of using WFP's food for work programmes in conjunction with
the working group on shelter is also being considered.
Non-food
UNHCR and ICRC began distribution of non-food items to approximately 7,500
families on 12 June and completed distribution by the end of June. Each
family received a kit which included mattresses (two p/family), blankets
(two p/family), soap (4-6 pieces), washing powder (700-1,000 grams),
kitchen set (one p/family, includes plates, utensils, cups and pans),
sanitary napkins (one pack p/family), blue plastic sheeting (one 4x5 metre
sheet p/family), transparent plastic for covering windows (as needed),
kerosene stoves (one p/three families), and jerry cans (one p/family).
UNHCR procured most of the non-food items, along with ICRC and the
Federation. ICRC provided logistics support for the distribution. The
bulk of funding for non-food items was provided by USAID. An additional
non-food distribution is not likely in the near future.
Shelter rehabilitation
The shelter working group is in the process of finalising a strategy in
conjunction with government officials on how best to address the shelter
needs of newly arrived IDPs. The working group's first priority is to work
with the authorities to locate alternative accommodation for those new
IDPs living in buildings that are considered to be uninhabitable, as well
as those in schools and hospitals. New accommodations are in the process
of being identified and it is expected that rehabilitation of these
buildings will begin soon. Rehabilitation will be done to a standard
agreed upon by the working group, which is the same as the standard
currently applied to collective centres housing IDPs from 1993-94. The
rehabilitation package includes: a minimum of six square metres per
person, roof, doors and windows, floors, basic electrical wiring,
partitions (for large or multi-family accommodations), safety features,
and adequate water and sanitation facilities.
Another priority is to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of collective
centres currently housing IDPs from 1993-94, so these accommodations can
receive some of the newly arrived IDPs. Of equal importance is
rehabilitating to standard new collective centres (not schools or
hospitals), which are deemed suitable accommodations.
Water and sanitation
The working group finished its assessment of water and sanitation needs in
new collective centres during the week of 22 June. Work is underway.
IRC has begun implementation of some water and sanitation rehabilitation
projects at new collective centres with a small grant provided by USAID.
The remainder of funding for water and sanitation is expected to be
provided by ECHO.
Health and psycho-social needs
The IDP Women's Association, with support from UNHCR, together with the
Foundation for the Development of Human Resources (FDHR), supported by
NRC, began their programme of psycho-social rehabilitation in Zugdidi
during the last week of July. The aim of the programme is to train and
dispatch mobile teams to collective centres for emergency counselling.
Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF)-Spain began an emergency 3-month capacity
building project for health practitioners in the southern Zugdidi area.
The emergency programme will be followed up with a longer-term capacity
building project in the Samegrelo region.
50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
National Commemorative Conference
On 2 June 1998, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organised
a National Conference dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. The conference was attended by
representatives from the Georgian government, the diplomatic corps,
international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and academia.
The conference was opened by the UN RHC. He underlined that Georgia has
opened its doors to the international community for cooperation and
assistance in achieving the rights recognised in the Universal
Declaration. He also emphasised UNDP's role in protecting and promoting
human rights in Georgia.
Speakers focused on three topics: the international community's human
rights role in Georgia; a survey of the human rights situation in Georgia;
and human rights and the Georgian legislative system.
Within the framework of the conference a painting and photo exhibition
"Expression of Human Rights in Art" was unveiled. Also, a ceremony was
held to award the winners of UNDP's new prizes for journalistic and
academic work promoting human rights.
Workshop on Psycho-social Rehabilitation, Inter-cultural Education and
Legal Consultation On 3 June 1998, the Refugee and IDP Commission of the
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (HCA) held its second Organisers' Workshop in
Tbilisi. The Workshop was attended by community organisers from refugee
and IDP communities in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Community
organisers from the Armenian Community of Nagorno-Karabakh also attended.
The Workshop participants shared experiences regarding self-organised
initiatives by refugees and IDPs, and discussed cooperation on topics of
shared concern, especially in the fields of psycho-social rehabilitation,
education and consultation. They paid particular attention to the latest
events in Gali, and considered measures for emergency psychological relief
proposed by the IDP Women's Association. Azeri and Armenian participants,
as well as the participants from the Armenian Community of
Nagorno-Karabakh offered joint assistance by sharing expertise regarding
trauma treatment and taking part in inter-cultural education programmes
for victimised children.
After an introduction by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA),
the participants discussed the need for legal protection and consultation
in the respective refugee and IDP communities. Finally, proposals for
regional cooperation were presented. The proposals included organising an
intercultural summer camp for victimised children; establishing a joint
team of psychologists and educators for trauma treatment; establishing a
joint training programme for social and legal consultants; and
establishing a TV bridge in cooperation with independent TV stations, as a
tool for sharing experiences between victimised communities.
UNICEF Holds the Georgia Country Programme Mid-Term Review Meeting On 10
June 1998, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) held a Mid-Term
Review of the Georgia Country Programme (1996-2000) at the Sheraton
Metechi Palace Hotel. The meeting was opened by the UNICEF Area
Representative. He briefed those in attendance on the mid-term
achievements of the UNICEF Country Programme 1996-2000. The country
programme comprises four activities: 1) maternal and child health and
health care reform; 2) early childhood development and primary education;
3) children in especially difficult circumstances and children's rights;
4) research, monitoring and evaluation.
The aim of the country programme is to support and collaborate with the
government in the fulfilment of its responsibilities to Georgia's
children, by responding to their basic needs and protecting their rights.
The country programme aims to assist the government in the planning,
implementation and monitoring of the multiplicity of tasks associated with
the achievement of Georgia's end-of-decade goals for children and women.
The country programme supports promising new ideas and innovations that
are fruitful for the education system. Such innovations may include
fund-raising strategies, income generating activities and the use of local
resources to develop teaching aids and parents' association efforts.
Speakers emphasised the role of UNICEF in protecting children's and
mothers' health; supporting breastfeeding; EPI/disease control; teaching
and protecting children's rights; and taking care of children in
especially difficult circumstances. Attendants underlined that investing
in children means investing in the future.
International Journalists Visit UNDP Peace-Building Initiatives On 22-26
June 1998, a group of international journalists visited Georgia to examine
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) environmental and
peace-building initiatives. The trip was a collaborative effort between
UNDP's Division of Public Affairs, the Regional Bureau for Europe and the
CIS and the UNDP Office in Georgia. While in Georgia, the journalists
visited the Georgian International Oil Corporation; saw the rehabilitation
of a rail tank loading facility which has helped to prevent oil spills and
reduce the cost of oil transportation; and had the opportunity to see a
pipeline construction site in Khashuri.
The journalists also visited South Ossetia where UNDP is helping to
revitalise post-conflict communities.
The peace-building initiative has focused on the rehabilitation of houses
in Georgian and Ossetian villages; restoring telecommunications; and the
construction of a new bridge, which had previously collapsed during an
earthquake. The hospitals in Gori and Tskhinvali also received medical
equipment. Through the rehabilitation programme, UNDP facilitated
technical cooperation between the two parties.
In Tbilisi, with UN Volunteers (which reports to UNDP), the journalists
visited a project being implemented at several communal centres for
internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The
project aims to provide children's corners for art and theatre, to
encourage the restoration of aspects of normal life for youth who have
lost their homes. The project also supports the training of teachers and
community groups in reconciliation, trauma healing and alternative methods
of conflict resolution.
At the end of their stay, the journalists met with the President of
Georgia, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament and the Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
SECTORS
Food
The Georgian Foundation distributed children's food provided by the
humanitarian aid organisation of Israel Equilibre. The food was delivered
to the Dzegvi Orphanage, the Gurjaani Fund for Protecting Mothers of Many
Children, and the orphanage for infants.
The Federation carried out a third round of a food parcels distribution to
elderly pensioners. The programme targets a total of 50,000 elderly
pensioners and handicapped persons throughout Georgia. The operation is
funded by ECHO via the British Red Cross Society. Each parcel contains a
basic supplementary ration. The distribution took place in Ambrolauri,
Tskaltubo, Kutaisi, Oni, Tkibuli, Chiatura, Zestaponi, Lentekhi, Vani,
Tsageri, Sachkhere, Kharagauli, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Keda, Shuakhevi, Khulo,
Kobuleti, Batumi, and all regions of east Georgia.
>From 17 to 22 June 1998, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) distributed seven MTs of food to vulnerable returnees and
IDPs in South Ossetia, as well as to canteens in the region. The aid
included rice, flour, sugar, buckwheat, vegetable oil and milk powder. The
Children's Fund of South Ossetia helped the OSCE Mission with the
distribution.
During the period 29 May-20 June 1998, the Charitable Fund "Lazarus"
opened soup kitchens for newly arrived IDPs from the Gali region. The soup
kitchens serve one hot meal and 190g. bread daily to 800 beneficiaries in
Zugdidi and 500 beneficiaries in Jvari. Food is donated by the US
Department of Agriculture (USDA), and kitchen running expenses are covered
by the Georgian Government. The duration of the programme is two months.
Health
The Georgian Foundation is continuing distribution of medical supplies
received from Equilibre and Heart to Heart. To date the aid was delivered
to: the Tbilisi Street Children's Shelter; the Tbilisi Avchala Children's
Colony; the Lagodekhi polyclinic; the Ecological organisation Jvari; the
Ambulatory of the village Khoteva Dapioni; the Sachkhere Regional Medical
Rehabilitation Centre; the Tbilisi State University; the Gurjaani Fund for
Protecting Mothers of Many Children; Children's polyclinic #10; and the
Children's Rehabilitation Republican Centre.
On 19-30 May 1998, Counterpart International provided medical supplies and
furniture to the City Hospital and Regional Hospital in Gori. Also,
medical and laboratory supplies, artificial pulmonary ventilation devices,
and surgical gowns were delivered to Hospital #1 and Children's Polyclinic
#10.
>From 26 May to 19 June 1998, Acts Georgia distributed 24,765 units of 21
different medicines and 41,165 units of 37 different medical supplies to
medical organisations in Tbilisi, Kurta, Nikoza, Abastumani, Khashuri and
Samgori.
>From 19 to 29 June 1998, Counterpart International distributed hospital
beds with mattresses, a gynaecology table, a medical cabinet, medical
supplies and medical uniforms to the hospitals in Ambrolauri, Racha.
On 14 June 1998, the third international camp for diabetic children was
opened in the high mountainous resort Bakuriani. The camp will last 10
days. Under the supervision of American and Georgian endocrinologists and
nurses, 53 teenagers and children will learn a comprehensive programme for
survival, which includes diabetic treatment and education. The camp is
sponsored by LIONS Club (US), ACTS International, ACTS Georgia, and the
Diabetic Children Protection Association.
Shelter
On 19-30 May 1998, Counterpart International distributed clothing, a gas
range, and kitchen utensils to 120 orphans of the Ateni village boarding
school. Also, clothing was distributed to: 2,350 IDP families living in
the Gori region; 1,700 disabled people in Kakheti via the League of
Disabled People; 445 families affected by the landslides in Tsageri; and
350 families left without roofs after the recent storm in Tkibuli.
The Federation continues distribution of second hand clothes to IDPs in
Abasha, Chkhorotsku, Khobi, Martvili, Poti, Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi;
and to vulnerable groups, orphanages and boarding schools in Kutaisi,
Samtredia, Mestia, Senaki, and Kharagauli. The programme has 52,416
beneficiaries.
>From 9 to 17 June 1998, Counterpart International distributed 700 field
hospital beds, 640 sleeping bags, 400 bed linens, and 34 blankets to 151
families who fled from Nabakevi, Gali region, and to 1,177 families who
fled to Orsantia. Also, shorts were delivered to 1,700 IDP children, who
will go to summer camps in Borjomi. The aid was received from the US
Department of State Officer for the Coordination for US Assistance to New
Independent States. The aid was valued at approximately USD 605,000.
>From 19 to 29 June 1998, Counterpart International delivered clothing to
50 families, victims of the earthquake in the Racha region, and 180 IDP
families, temporarily living in Racha. Also, 529 field beds were delivered
to the village Koki and 156 mattresses were delivered to the village
Darcheli.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On a regular basis, OCHA produces Briefing Notes which provide an overview
of central humanitarian or development assistance issues in Georgia.
Currently two Notes are produced and updated quarterly: one on assistance
to Abkhazia, Georgia, and the other on assistance to areas affected by the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict. They are widely distributed to government
officials, de facto authorities, donors and other humanitarian agencies,
for resource mobilisation and information sharing purposes.
In response to donor and aid agency requests, a new Briefing Note will
consolidate information about income generation projects in Georgia. The
intent is to show the diversity of current and planned programmes, as well
as to examine the ongoing transition from humanitarian aid to sustainable
development assistance. The Note will include a table listing the
organisations involved, project descriptions, number of beneficiaries,
funding levels in 1997 and in 1998, contributing donors, and where
available, the size of grants or loans distributed.
In order to obtain accurate and comprehensive information, input from
agencies and donors is requested. OCHA currently has material on file
relevant to programmes implemented by the Federation, Children's Aid
Direct (CAD), CARE, FINCA, IRC, NRC, OXFAM, Save the Children, United
Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and the local non-governmental
organisations Apkhazeti, Constanta, Lomtati as well as Women and Business.
These organisations will be contacted by OCHA for any corrections or
comments. Other organisations involved with income generation projects are
encouraged to contact OCHA's Project Consultant Anders Frisborg, as soon
as possible with additional information, and also with regard to new and
upcoming programmes.
The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR)
Secretariat is requesting the submission of abstracts for the IDNDR
regional disaster reduction conference for the countries of Central and
Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), to be held in
Yerevan, Armenia, 15-21 September 1998. The conference is attracting
disaster reduction experts from within and outside the region and will
contribute to the disaster reduction strategy for the 21st century.
Individuals or organisations interested in participating in or learning
more about the meeting should contact the IDNDR Secretariat.
IDNDR is a part of UN OCHA Geneva.
The Charitable Humanitarian Association of Georgian Disabled People's
Cultural Initiatives established on 26 September 1997, is a Georgian NGO.
The organisation aims to reveal disabled people's creative skills, to
promote their active involvement in social life and speed their
employment, as well as to coordinate creative work of disabled people.
The organisation has two projects waiting to be funded. The first
envisages employing disabled people in handicraft business, and the second
aims to hold psychological diagnostic tests for revealing disabled
people's working skills.
The organisation plans to start a movement "World tourism for disabled
people" which aims to encourage disabled people to travel.
The organisation is ready to cooperate with all interested organisations
and individuals. Tel.: (995 32) 98 30 82 or 63 20 34
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. Ernest Chipman - 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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