OCHA Situation Report No. 15
Georgia
23 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 UN and NGO assessment missions to the Russian controlled areas south 
of the administrative border with South Ossetia continue to report ongoing 
harassment and incursions from across the border during day and at night. 
The situation appears particularly acute in villages close to the border 
where levels of displacement are high and fear of attack amongst the 
predominantly elderly residents results in their sleeping in fields at 
night. Villagers from Dvani, Taskhtiziri, Gogoti, Koshka, Mereti, Arbo, 
Kvemo Nikozi, Pkhvenisi and Shindisi reported regular looting of property 
and intimidation of the local population. There is a high level of 
frustration amongst the local population at the lack of protection being 
provided and the inability of the population to defend themselves against 
those attacks.

Other observations from these assessment missions include the following:

-Those interviewed showed signs of stress and trauma, including as a 
result of ongoing threats and insecurity. The elderly who have remained 
behind are particularly vulnerable.

-It is the perception amongst the local population that the presence of 
explosive remnants of war affects access to fields and to property.

-Some movement to/from areas of displacement on a daily basis is occurring 
therefore it is impossible to estimate the percentage of the population 
present: In Gogoti for example, only 13 people were in the village (of a 
previous population of over 40 households). Those who remained were over 
65 / 70 years old and were of limited mobility.

-Widespread looting of household property; money and personal items; 
tractors and livestock was reported. Those interviewed stated they now had 
almost nothing left to take.

-The population has some freedom of movement on roads during the day but 
reported being too afraid to work in the fields as a result of 
intimidation. This has an impact on harvest activities and longer term 
food security.

-Approximately 10 per cent of the housing stock) had been burned in each 
village and other houses partially damaged.

>From UNHCR's analysis of the displaced population in the Gori region it is 
clear that the lack of rule of law and overall insecurity is the main 
obstacle to return, together with destruction and looting of property. The 
fear of UXOs has also been reported. IDPs cite the need for the presence 
of Georgian police and the international community in return areas as 
vital to build confidence to enable the return process. Continuous access 
therefore remains paramount.

1.2 An assessment by FAO has highlighted the potential negative impact of 
the conflict on longer-term food security in areas north of Gori. 
Interruption in water supply has lead to loss of wheat and maize harvest 
and some fruit crops are expected to be damaged as a result of failure to 
use pesticide while farmers were displaced. The decreased harvest not only 
affects local population's access to food but also the ability to sustain 
return of displaced populations over the winter and to feed livestock over 
the coming months.

If local communities are going to be able to plant winter wheat in the 
next weeks they will need immediate assistance to purchase seed and 
fertilizer, tractors to replace those looted and fuel vouchers. Villages 
where the majority of those who have remained are elderly will require 
particular assistance in terms of food security and attention to early 
recovery activities.

Attachments:
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