Georgia - OCHA-10: 01-31.Oct.98

Situation Report from the OCHA Coordinator in GEORGIA - No. 10
Period covered: October 1998


Update on the Working Group on Enhancing Capacities for Self-sufficiency
In September 1998, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) under the auspices of the UN Resident and Humanitarian
Coordinator launched the Working Group on Enhancing Capacities for
Self-sufficiency. The Working Group brings together governmental officials,
donors, and relief and development agencies. The Group provides a forum for
defining a strategy that promotes the movement of some persons, including
new IDPs, from emergency assistance into the kind of development oriented
programmes that will provide opportunities for greater self sufficiency.
The Working Group also considers the kinds of government policies and
capacities necessary to support the movement towards self-sufficiency in
the long term. The Working Group has divided responsibilities among four
focus groups: agriculture, income generation, shelter and capacity
building.

Agriculture
The sub-group on agriculture, which is chaired by the International Rescue
Committee, has met four times and was attended by representatives from the
Ministry of Food and Agriculture, CDIHA, UN Agencies and international and
non-governmental organisations.

The access to land by IDPs was identified as an important issue in the
agricultural sector. Although some legal basis exists for supporting IDP's
access to land, implementation has been limited. Much of the best land was
already distributed to local residents during the early phases of the land
reform process by local authorities. As a result, remaining lands still
available for distribution by local communities are often poorly suited to
agriculture. To address this situation, the focus group is considering more
secure leasing arrangements aimed at providing longer term access without
necessarily allocating land. One means of facilitating greater leasing
security would be programmes that assist in the payment of leasing fees by
providing credit, and act as guarantors of loans given to IDPs.

The focus group is also considering that while land registration is being
complicated by capacity and cooperation questions at the national level
which are to be addressed via UNDP's land management programme, the process
is also bottlenecked at the local level by lack of information and
awareness regarding the need to register land. The group identified an
information campaign involving mass media as a short term outlet and
extension services as a long term outlet as a potentially viable approach.

The focus group is also discussing the fact that while many small farmers
do have access to land, they often are unable to obtain loans from
commercial institutions. When credit is obtainable, it's utility to farmers
is often constricted due to the term of the loan. For a small scale farmer
to reach a position wherein he is able to begin repayment, he must get
through a crop cycle - two to eight months for annuals, two to tree years
for perennials. Banks however, are often unable to wait. One effective
means for redressing the lack of access to credit could be through the
creation of credit unions. 107 credit unions are already established in the
framework of ADP, the World Bank's agriculture programme. At present the
average number of households participating in each credit union is 53.
Increased participation of families in the credit unions is deemed
important for their long term sustainability.

Income Generation
The focus group on income generation has met two times and is chaired by
Save the Children. Several key issues facing this sector have been
identified. One of the primary difficulties facing the sector is the lack
of clarity in regards to the tax laws for commercial banks and other
lending institutions in Georgia. An amendment to the current law is being
discussed in parliament, which would exempt non-profit, charitable
organisations implementing special financial projects for vulnerable
populations. The government's CDIHA regularly informs international
agencies of parliamentary discussions regarding this law.

The income generation focus group has also discussed the issue of targeting
beneficiaries, the pros and cons of establishing alternative lending
institutions, capacity building in the banking sector, and donor policy in
regards to income generation activities. More in-depth research on each of
these issues is being undertaken in order to produce a draft document
outlining the primary gaps and recommendations for future strategy in this
sector.

Shelter
The shelter focus group, chaired by UNHCR, has met weekly in Zugdidi. The
group has focused on the immediate shelter needs facing IDPs this winter.
Therefore, the group is in the process of devising a strategy for
implementing a winterisation programme for IDP communal centres in the
Zugdidi area.

Capacity Building
The capacity building focus group, chaired by UNDP, has met once. The group
identified as an immediate gap the lack of information regarding capacity
building programmes. To address this need, the sub-group requested that
OCHA conduct an extensive survey of capacity building programming, focusing
in particular on the contexts in which agencies operate, for example: local
communities, local NGOs, local authorities, regional authorities and
national government.

Due to the fact that relief and development agencies sometimes approach
these context in different manners, for example by using different
methodologies, time-frames and indicators of success or failure, the survey
also focuses on articulating how agencies operate at the various levels of
Georgian society, i.e.: what capacity building programmes are agencies
conducting, what are the programme objectives, what are the opportunities
at each level of society for enhancing the sustainability of programmes,
what are the obstacles programmes face which reduce their sustainability,
who are agencies' usual counterparts, who are agencies' typical donors? By
mapping the answers to these questions a picture will emerge of the overall
environment in which agencies are working, of programming gaps and of
recurring problems which reduce sustainability. The sub-group can then move
on to articulating a strategy for addressing the needs and gaps in this
sector. Any organisation that has not received the survey and would like
to, or has not yet completed a received survey, please contact OCHA.

USAID-AED Regional NGO Conference
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the
Academy for Educational Development (AED), has sponsored a conference for
Caucasus women who are involved in the NGO community of the region.
Sixty-two women NGO leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia attended
the conference held in Tabakhmela, Georgia from 29 September to 4 October
1998. The conference was a collaborative undertaking involving USAID, AED,
the United States-Newly Independent States Women's Consortium and the
Horizonti Foundation of Georgia.

The goal of the conference was to strengthen cooperation within the women's
NGO community of the Caucasus and to improve management skills. Training
was provided by representatives of the Horizonti Foundation, Winrock and
the United States League of Women Voters.

During the conference, a number of topics were discussed. State policy,
external environments and the role of NGOs in the Caucasus countries were
examined. Women's leadership, gender issues and women's rights were
explored in their political, civil, cultural and economic contexts. Small
business and employment opportunities were considered as were health issues
and violence against women. Participants also engaged in discussions
regarding forms of cooperation and collaboration, case studies on joint
projects, advocacy campaigns, events, information exchange, networking and
international coalitions. The potential for NGO involvement in non-partisan
political activities, non-partisan methods of election, non-partisan
citizen advocacy and grassroots work were also examined. Finally,
fundraising as well as possibilities for joint projects and proposals among
NGOs in the Caucasus were among the topics discussed.

Throughout the conference, in relation to the topics raised, the women NGO
leaders presented materials on the activities of their organisations,
crafts, posters, photos and booklets.
The main recommendation to emerge from the conference was the need to
continue the cooperation, collaboration and networking begun in Tabakhmela.
Practically, the delegates proposed that USAID consider making the regional
NGO conference an annual event facilitated by frequent exchanges through an
ongoing series of working groups.

White Crane Children's Magazine Presents Two New Children's Books
On 20 October 1998, a presentation of two new books, written by children,
took place at the UN House in Tbilisi. The presentation was attended by
representatives from donor and international organisations, UN Agencies,
local NGOs, children whose work appears in the books, and mass-media. The
presentation was dedicated to the third anniversary of the Children's
Magazine White Crane. The name of one book is -Letters to White Crane
Through the Children's Eyes-, and it includes letters of IDP and orphan
children from Tbilisi, Tskhinvali, Sukhumi, Zugdidi, Ninotsminda, Erevan,
Baku, and Stepanakert.

During the three years of the magazine's existence the main message
received from children is their willingness to achieve peace, tolerance and
mutual understanding. Mainly these are children who lost their houses,
witnessed horror of violence and are happy to communicate with their peers
from other parts of the Caucasus region. Authors of the letters which are
included in the book received certificates of honour for contributing
materials to the magazine, and the book for free.

The second book, entitled -Daimedeba- (Giving Hope), is a collection of
poems by a 14 year old girl from Abkhazia, currently living in Kutaisi. The
book is illustrated by a 13 year old girl from Abkhazia, residing in
Tbilisi. The books are prepared by the editorial board of White Crane, and
are funded by UNHCR. They will be sent to officials in the region. The
books are available at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) office for 2 GEL
each. Income from selling the books will be used for publishing another
book, which will include tales written by children which were published in
the magazine White Crane.

HALO Trust Continues Demining Activities in Gali and Sukhumi
The Hazardous Areas Life Support Organisation (HALO Trust) continues its
mine clearance work in Sukhumi and Gali. Clearance work in the Sukhumi
region has concentrated on the Gumista riverbank and industrial sites along
the river in the village Achidara. In the Gali region the team has
continued work at Otstarte.

During September the organisation destroyed 14 items of unexploded ordnance
(UXO), mostly anti-tank mine fuses at the Gumista river bank. The
organisation is also clearing final mines from a dense line of
anti-personnel mines along the Gumista river. This land is prime
agricultural land for Sukhumi, producing maize, tobacco, beans, squash and
mandarins. The first maize crop to be grown on HALO-cleared land was
harvested at the end of August. The second mine-line along a water pipeline
is being cleared in order to allow service teams to approach the water
pipeline junction. During September HALO Trust destroyed 11 anti-personnel
mines in these sites.

At the request of the local administration HALO Trust has undertaken to
clear a children's play area and football pitch in Achidara, which was
mined during the war. In September 6 anti-personnel mines were cleared in
this site. At the end of the war mines were laid extensively along the
northern bank of the Inguri river. In Otstarte, there is an area of ground
which, though mined, is still used for cutting and gathering wood. This

area has so far claimed seven civilian casualties. During September HALO
Trust found 4 anti-tank mines, protected by anti-personnel mines, at this
site, only a few metres away from a path in regular use.

In addition to mine clearance HALO Trust also routinely destroys UXOs. Such
items may be found wherever there was fighting. UXOs not only present a
very real danger, but also obstruct productive use of the land or the
building where the UXO is lodged. To this end HALO Trust has responded
promptly to any report of UXO to ensure that minimal disruption is
incurred. During September a 1x122mm -Grad- rocket was removed from a back
garden in Achidara village. The British government has donated two Volvo
medium Wheeled loaders to HALO. These machines are currently being
customised for mine clearance use in the United Kingdom, and will soon be
shipped for use in Abkhazia.

SECTORS
Education
On 5 October 1998, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), in cooperation with the
Ministry of Education (MoE), provided basic school supplies to the Zugdidi
region. Primary grade pupils received 2,026 classroom kits, 1,051 boxes of
chalk, and 136 blackboards.

Food
On the occasion of the World Food Day, which is observed each year on 16
October in more than 150 countries, the UN World Food Programme (WFP)
praised this year's theme - -Women Feed the World,- stressing the crucial
role played by women in fighting hunger around the world. As the largest
provider of food aid in the world, WFP implements its assistance programmes
with the objective of giving women control of food to improve the lives of
their families and themselves. In 1997 alone WFP provided food aid to more
than 52 million people, most of them women and children.

According to WFP, women are the sole breadwinners in one out of three of
the world's households and are also the major cultivators of food in many
parts of the developing world, and three out of four victims of war,
drought and other disasters are women and children.

>From 14 to 26 September 1998, Accion Contra el Hambre (ACH) distributed
4,070 food parcels to 4,110 families in Zugdidi and Khobi districts. Each
parcel contained 5 kg of wheat flour, 3 kg of rice, 3 kg of buckwheat, 2 kg
of pasta, 2 kg of sugar, 0.8 kg of fish, 0.1 kg of yeast, 0.1 kg of salt, 2
lt of vegetable oil, and 0.6 kg of washing powder. The distribution was
funded by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

>From 1 to 10 October 1998, Counterpart International, in conjunction with
the International Fund for Support of Children with Cerebral Palsy,
provided food assistance to 250 disabled children in Kutaisi. During the
same period the organisation, in cooperation with the Tsalenjikha
Association of Invalids, delivered food and clothing to 800 disabled
persons, food, clothing and bedding to 120 orphans, and food to 2,484 IDPs
in Jvari.

>From 22 October 1998, the Association for Assistance to Disabled Children,
Children of Persons Killed for the Territorial Integrity of Georgia and
During Work -Help the Children- started distribution of fruit and wheat
flour to its beneficiaries in Tbilisi. The food is provided by a farm in
the village Shindisi, Gori district.

Health
Since 1995, UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to
celebrate World Breast- Feeding Week, held annually, the first week of
October. This year, in addition to assisting the Ministry of Health UNICEF
also worked with the local NGO -CLARITAS.- Attention during this year's
activities focused on the enforcement and implementation of the
International Code for the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes.

The World Breast-Feeding Week also embraced a number of other activities
aimed at the promotion of breast-feeding. A conference was held with the
participation of government representatives, donors, international
organisations, NGOs and breast-feeding mothers. A Georgia-wide information
campaign led, in part, by lactating mothers and representatives from local
health and administrative authorities highlighted the benefits of
breast-feeding and the severe impact of marketing schemes that promote
alternatives to breast milk. The campaign involved a series of TV and radio
programmes regarding breast-feeding, as well as specially designed posters,
leaflets and T-shirts. Twenty-thousand copies of the brochure -Child
Healthy Nutrition- were distributed. Articles regarding breast-feeding also
appeared in leading newspapers. other activities included a meeting between
lactation consultants from -CLARITAS- and a group of mothers being
consulted through a hot-line service, as well as lectures on the benefits
of breast-feeding for students of the Medical University.

UNICEF has supported the MoH to conduct a health survey of the country's
youth. The survey examines knowledge, attitudes and practices. The work is
in progress and a final report will be available at the UNICEF office by
the end of November.

UNICEF is supporting the International Medical Women's Fund in its
investigation of women's rights violations in Georgia. UNICEF is also
assisting the Women's Fund in conducting a survey regarding domestic
violence against women. A final report will be available at the UNICEF
office by the end of December.

On 20 October 1998, UNICEF supported the MoE by providing technical
capacity for setting up an Information Bank on institutionalised children.
Towards this end, UNICEF provided the MoE with a computer, printer, copier,
fax machine and fax paper.

On 22 October 1998, UNICEF assisted the MoE in providing the Zugdidi region
with basic school furniture, comprised of 303 sets of school desks and
chairs.

On 1 October 1998, ACTS-Georgia delivered 6 functional beds, 3 stretchers,
6 mattresses, 20 pipes for breathing apparati, clothes for medical
personnel and other medical supplies to the Republican Hospital of Zugdidi.

On 13 October 1998, the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent
Societies (the Federation) together with the Georgian Red Cross Society
(GRCS) started regular distribution of essential medicines for chronically
ill elderly people in the GRCS outpatient clinics in Tbilisi and in the
regions, as well as in 3 hospitals in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Senaki. This
programme, which has been going on since 1995, aims at assisting the most
vulnerable about 25,000 homebound pensioners without families. Since 1994
the organisations also implemented a Visiting Nurses Programme for elderly
homebound and handicapped people. The programme includes providing basic
medical care, social assistance in day-to-day life, and psychological
support. Both the pharmaceutical distribution programme and the Visiting
Nurses programme are funded by the Dutch Government through the Netherlands
Red Cross. Another medical programme is designed for about 50,000 IDPs from
Abkhazia. During 12 months essential medicines and medical supplies are
provided to 3 polyclinics in Zugdidi, Senaki and Khobi. Training courses
for Georgian doctors and health education sessions for IDPs are envisaged.

>From 11 to 19 October 1998, Counterpart International at the direct reques=
t
of the Ministry of Health delivered to the Clinic of Mother and Child in
the village of Kirtskhi beds, gynaecological table and instruments, medical
furniture and other medical supplies. The district hospital of Chorotskhu
received medical cabinets, carts and cabinets for pharmaceuticals, and
other medical furniture and supplies.

Shelter
>From 1 to 10 October 1998, Counterpart International delivered: clothes to
14 IDP families from the Gali region presently living at the Tsalenjikha
Hospital, bedding to 47 IDP families residing at school no. 9, beds and
space heaters to 38 IDP families currently living at the college of Etseri,
and bedding to 86 IDP families at school no. 4.

>From 10 to 19 October 1998, Counterpart International delivered beds,
blankets, mattresses, and space heaters to 133 IDP families from the Gali
region residing at schools no. 4 and no. 9 in Zugdidi.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
On 2 October 1998, the UNDP Crisis Committee allocated USD 2.5 million to
improve disaster preparedness and management in Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan. The funds will help to establish national and regional
emergency management centres and communication networks and will support
legislation to ensure effective disaster management. The programme will
also raise public awareness about natural and man-made disaster, and
improve training and emergency response mechanisms.

On 26 October 1998, the first issue of the newsletter -Refuge-was published
as a result of cooperation between UNHCR and the United Nations Association
of Georgia (UNA). The bulletin is issued bimonthly in English and Georgian,
and covers activities of UNHCR, other UN Agencies, official bodies,
international organisations and NGOs concerning IDP and refugee issues in
Georgia. It will also provide information and analysis relating to
legislation impacting on IDPs and refugees, and updates on the current
state of affairs concerning IDPs and refugees.

The bulletin will be distributed to official bodies, international
organisations, and NGOs working in related fields in Tbilisi, Kvemo Kartli
(Rustavi), Imereti, Shida Kartli (Gori) and Samegrelo. For additional
information please contact UNA-Georgia. Address: 2, Dolidze St. Tbilisi
Tel: (995 32) 99 35 16, 33 52 16

The Association for Assistance to Disabled Children, Children of Persons
Killed for the Territorial Integrity of Georgia and During Work - -Help the
Children-- is a charitable, non-profitable NGO. The organisation was
registered in 1997 as the -Association for Assistance to Children of
Persons Killed During Work in Georgia- and reregistered in 1998, since it
broadened its scale of activities. The Association provides psychological,
medical, food, shelter and educational assistance to children. Sixty
percent of the Association's beneficiaries are IDPs. They are provided with
free larengologic surgeries and medical consultations. The Association is
ready to cooperate with all organisations with similar interests.

Address: 26 R. Agladze St. Construction Trust no. 2. Tbilisi, Georgia. Tel:
(995 32) 35 25 41, 34 22 96, 34 54 50.

The Georgian NGO -Biliki-, established in Gori in 1997, provides
after-hours classes and excursions for street children and IDP children.
According to the NGO many of the children who participate in their
programme do not attend school outside of these classes. Wood carving,
drawing, and needlework groups are also organised for these children. On 20
August 1998, the organisation received USD 3,000 from the Horizonti
Foundation for broadening its activities with street children. The grant
will allow the organisation to continue its after-hour classes and groups,
pay salaries to teachers and a psychologist, and to purchase television and
video equipment for showing educational films. Funding for the project will
continue until the end of April 1999.

The organisation is interested in cooperation with all organisations with
similar interests. Address: 26, Gorijvari St. Gori 383500, Georgia. Tel:
(995 370) 2 53 77 or 2 13 82


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: Annette.Choquet@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. Th=E9r=E8se Gastaut - Director
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2300
Fax: (41 22) 917.0030
E-Mail: tgastaut@unog.ch



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