OCHA Situation Report No. 12
Georgia
9 September 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The following information is based on reports from the UN Country Team and 
humanitarian partners in Tbilisi and North Ossetia, as well as information 
received from countries involved in the humanitarian response.

1.0 General Humanitarian Overview


Displacement and Returnee Monitoring
(preliminary figures as of 1 September)

Displacement within Georgia excl. South Ossetia     66,443(1)
Displaced population still in Russian Federation     5,000
Conflicted-affected and displaced population        30,000
within South Ossetia
Total                                              101,443


1.1 Access to villages north of Gori remains problematic for agencies 
providing humanitarian assistance, particularly through the checkpoints at 
Karaleti and Variani. The international humanitarian community continues 
to make efforts to gain access to the villages within the 'security zone', 
not only to humanitarian aid but also to help provide an environment that 
is conducive for more people to return.

1.2 In Gori, the number of IDPs continues to grow on a daily basis, as 
more IDPs arrive from Tbilisi. Most IDPs arriving in the Gori camp 
originate from villages in the 'security zone' north of Gori or from South 
Ossetia. The IDPs provide various reasons for coming to Gori, including 
that they have learnt they can live in where they will be supplied with 
food and other assistance. While most IDPs come to the camp voluntarily, 
some state that have been "asked to leave" collective centres, 
particularly schools, in Tblisi. Proximity to villages of origin as well 
as not wanting to be a burden to host families are other reasons cited by 
IDPs arriving in the Gori camp.

1.3 In many cases, the villages north of Gori are considered safe during 
the day, with people returning to homes to take care of livestock, collect 
fruits and vegetables and sell them in the Gori market. However people are 
returning at night to the Gori camp or to collective centers.

1.4 According to the most recent report from the Russian Federation's 
Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), 7,199.19 MT of relief items 
have been delivered to Tskhinvali in South Ossetia, including 2,519.5 MT 
of food, potable water, 98.95 MT of medicines, 30.84 MT of medical 
equipment, 115 MT of disinfection washing supplies, 260 large tents, 
2,784.4 MT of construction materials, 21 water purification units, 49.8 
fuel, and 667 MT of other goods and materials

1.5 EMERCOM also reports that a total of 8,007.09 MT of relief items have 
been delivered to North Ossetia, including 2,495.2 MT of food, potable 
water, 75.88 MT of medicines, 31.72 MT of medical equipment, 109.67 MTs of 
disinfection and washing supplies, 58 generators, 3,206.88 MTs of 
construction material, 26 purification units, 748 large tents, 22.8 MTs of 
bed linen, 1,147.7 MT of fuel and 302.8 MT of humanitarian goods.

2.0 Coordination and Humanitarian Response in Georgia ? Sectoral Updates

2.1 FOOD

Lead Agency: WFP

Participants: ACF/ACH, CARE, SCF, WVI, MercyCorps, NRC, Premiere Urgence, 
Caritas, CHF.

Humanitarian Response & Achievements

- During the last round of food distribution in Tbilisi on 6-7 September, 
WFP distributed 10-day rations to about 40,000 IDPs in partnership with 
WVI, SCF and CARE. In addition, food was delivered to 8,200 IDPs 
accommodated in Mtskheta and Rustavi. In addition, food delivery to IDPs 
accommodated in Khashuri, Kareli and Kaspi district centers was initiated 
today.

- The WFP Gori sub-office continues to provide food to IDPs living in 
collective centers, who receive bread and hot meals prepared in a soup 
kitchen operated by the Italian Red Cross. In addition, WFP provides bread 
to about 5,000 vulnerable people living in Gori town, whose livelihoods 
have been seriously affected during the conflict.

- Distribution centers for IDPs accommodated in the private sector are 
being organized by the Government of Georgia, and WFP will start 
distributions as soon as the centers have been identified. About 3,200 
IDPs are registered as staying with the private sector in Gori.

2.2 SHELTER AND NON FOOD ITEMS

Lead Agency: UNHCR

Participants: CARE, Counterpart, DRC, IRD, NRC, Oxfam GB, SDC, IOM, SCF, 
WVI, CHF, UMCOR

Humanitarian Response & Achievements

- While the focus of the Shelter Group until recently was mainly on 
temporary shelter, the discussion has rapidly expanded to also include 
durable housing. The development of a joint "Government of Georgia and 
Shelter Group - Shelter Strategy" is now being drafted to address all 
phases and approaches of the shelter response.

- On a more programmatic level, the Shelter Group and the Government have 
agreed on public buildings that will be converted into durable housing for 
IDPs and both have entered into the implementation phase. The selection of 
temporary collective accommodations that will need to be winterized in the 
coming months is being finalized. Work is being undertaken to ensure 
coordination and harmonization of alternative projects that are now in the 
preparation phase (e.g. support to host families).

Situation in Gori

- The basic needs for the new arrivals in the camp have been covered. Due 
to dropping temperatures, an initial 536 sleeping bags from CHCA, Agra, 
Mercy Corps and Caritas have been distributed to children 0 - 18 years 
old.

- Seven out of 28 collective centers have received mattresses so far. An 
appeal has been made to all organizations to support collective centers, 
including emergency repairs and winterization. ? Caritas has visited 810 
host families so far, of which 300 are confirmed to be hosting IDPs. 
Caritas is distributing the UNHCR/MRA ration card to host families as of 
this week. Distribution points for assistance will be churches in Gori.

Gaps & Planning

- Due to weather conditions, the supply of sleeping bags is not enough to 
cover the needs of elderly and vulnerable groups in the Gori camp. At 
least 300 additional sleeping bags are required for them, while additional 
1,450 sleeping bags will be needed if all Gori camp is to be covered.

- UNHCR is encouraging distribution of relief items to host families to 
avoid fatigue and prevent new arrivals to the Gori camp, which is already 
over-burdened.

2.3 WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE

Lead Agency: UNICEF

Participants: ACF/ACH, CARE, ICRC, IRD, Oxfam GB, UNFPA, CHF

Humanitarian Response & Achievements

- In cooperation with the Tbilisi municipality and the Ministry of 
Education and Science, teams of 3-4 people have been established to 
monitor the clean up and repair of WASH facilities in schools in Tbilisi.

- UNICEF facilitated the establishment of a Water Committee in the IDP 
tent camp in Gori. The Committee will receive training on the management 
of WASH facilities and hygiene promotion within the camp community.

- A meeting with the head of the Gori Municipal Waterworks was held in 
order to help ensure that the piped water supply meets the required water 
quality standards.

Gaps & Planning

- In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, a plan has 
been formulated on the WASH component of the "Back to School" campaign, 
identifying major financial, structural and technical WASH needs and gaps. 
UNICEF will provide one ton of Calcium Hypochlorite 65% as a disinfectant 
for the cleaning of the schools' WASH facilities, starting with Tbilisi 
and Gori.

Attachments: 
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=C4F60A3805D8FD1E492574C000019B9E&file=Full_Report.pdf


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