OCHA Situation Report No. 14
Georgia
16 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

1.1 Sector lead agencies and NGO partners participated in a Flash Appeal 
retreat on 13 September to prepare for the next revision at the end of 
September. Members of the UN-EU-World Bank Joint Needs Assessment team for 
recovery joined the meeting to explain how the first phase of this 
three-year programme, will coincide with the timeframe of the Flash Appeal 
(October 08 ? March 09). Whilst it was decided that the Flash Appeal will 
focus on newly displaced and other affected communities from the recent 
crisis, the Joint Needs Assessment will incorporate those long-term 
displaced populations from the 1991-92 conflict.

1.2 Each sector presented an outline of objectives and projects to be 
included in the appeal, based on achievements to date and areas for 
continued focus - such as durable solutions for IDPs who are unlikely 
return in the near future and the establishment of a monitoring system for 
returns already taken place.

1.3 Challenges for implementation were cited as capacity at the 
local-government level and security and lack of access to some areas south 
of the administrative boundary of South Ossetia. Cross cutting issues for 
all sectors were identified as the importance of obtaining a clearer 
picture of the population demographic(need for disaggregated data) in 
order to identify vulnerable groups and ensure they are prioritized in the 
response; the need for inter-sectoral coordination and strengthened 
information management; the importance of ensuring early recovery / 
transition activities in the Flash Appeal are consistent with the approach 
of the Joint Needs Assessment and are inclusive of all affected 
populations.

1.4 According to the most recent report from the Russian Federation's 
Ministry of Emergency Situations

(EMERCOM) of 15 September, social welfare allowances/ compensation have 
been provided to 3,444 affected people with 1,000 rubles each as a 
'one-off' material assistance. In addition, 4,851 retired persons have 
received a social allowance payment of 3000 rubles each (3,175 in South 
Ossetia, 1,676 in North Ossetia). 247 families received up to 50,000 
rubles for lost property.

1.5 EMERCOM also reported 32,866 persons have returned to South Ossetia 
from displacement locations.

1.6 Some 166 people, including 16 children, are still in health facilities 
(125 people, including 15 children in North Ossetia, and 41 people in 
Moscow). 562 persons received medical assistance from a mobile medical 
group; 213 operations were performed. Two tent camps with space for 630 
people is fully functioning in Tskhinvali, as well as three temporary 
accommodation centers for 370 local persons (hostels from a private 
company and South Ossetian University, as well as a private hotel 
accommodating 153 IDPs).

1.7 EMERCOM also reports that the de facto South Ossetia authorities have 
approved a list of free services to be provided to the local population 
until 31 December 2008. This includes public utilities, medical support, 
education, and transport services.

1.8 The city's electricity networks are restored. The works on repairs of 
the city's water pipeline has been completed. However, the repairs of a 
water reservoir with capacity of 16 000 cubic meters) is ongoing and will 
be completed by 20 September. The city's gas pipeline has been restored. 
Infrastructure repairs include the restoration and functioning of the TV 
broadcasting networks.

1.9 28 facilities (7 schools, 4 kindergartens, city's pediatric 
policlinic, the policlinic of Tskhinval, city's pharmacy, emergency 
hospital and other buildings) are being restored. Construction works are 
being conducted on 42 projects.

1.10 73 school cabinets delivered to Tskhinval (chemistry, biology, 
physics, geography, etc). 5 schools received computer classes (one per 
each school). Three schools have access to Internet.

Attachments: 
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=438A3BFEB047AF35492574C7000B29CA&file=Full_Report.pdf


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