OCHA-Georgia Information Bulletin for the period 01 - 10 Apr 2001

UPDATE - Humanitarian and Transitional Programmes
Multi-Sectoral Programme by IRC

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is implementing a number of projects within the framework of its Community Partnership programme to assist non-Gali IDPs in west Georgia in 2001. With funding from Stichting Vluchteling/ the Government of the Netherlands (SV/GoN), IRC will collaborate with local counterparts to create permanent housing for residents of one collective center that is now situated in a kindergarten. This kindergarten will be renovated with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) funding so that it can be returned to its original use.

IRC will also rehabilitate a minimum of 10 single-family IDP homes in west Georgia. In addition, with joint UNHCR and SV funding, IRC will train local NGOs to mobilize 12 clustered communities (2 SV/GoN and 10 UNHCR) to identify and solve problems for themselves on an on-going basis.

These projects will benefit vulnerable local residents and IDPs in west Georgia. IDP families from areas of Abkhazia, other than Gali, that currently reside in the kindergarten collective center targeted for renovation will receive permanent housing. IDPs and local residents in the vicinity of the renovated kindergarten will have better education for themselves and skills to solve other community problems. IDPs and local residents living in communities mobilized by SV/GoN and UNHCR will have skills to address their problems on an ongoing basis.

IRC is also implementing projects within the framework of its Self-reliance Programme to assist IDPs and other vulnerable persons in east and west Georgia. IRC will continue to provide guidance to the Charity Humanitarian Center Abkhazeti (CHCA) through ongoing participation in the CHCA board. IRC proposes to build the capacity of the Union of Trust (UOT), an in-house NGO, in its loan portfolio management and credit delivery. In addition, IRC will continue to manage its own micro-lending activities.

IRC will also increase economic opportunities for IDP and other vulnerable entrepreneurs through the distribution of 300 income generation kits and subsequent in-kind service provision. IRC will disburse 100 professional and agricultural kits to clients in Shida Kartli and South Ossetia. IRC will build the capacity of a selected partner NGOs to deliver 200 professional and agricultural kits to west Georgia. All kit recipients will be required to provide in-kind services to members of their communities. The Self-reliance programme is funded, in part, by UNHCR and SV/GoN.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Amy Denkenberger, Programme Development and Grants Manager, IRC. Tel.: 25 01 38. E-mail: amy@gol.ge

Tuberculosis Still Affects Millions

In Georgia, approximately 0.12% of the civilian population is ill with tuberculosis (TB). Prisons are the main breading ground and reservoir of the disease. Since 1997, every year 7% of Georgian prisoners have been diagnosed with TB. To control TB worldwide, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS), which consists of a combination of 4-5 different anti TB drugs that patients must take for at least 6 months, under daily medical supervision.

Actions related to combating TB in Georgia are carried out by the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP), established in 1995 by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs. Implementation of this programme is based on the DOTS. The programme is technically and financially supported by the German organisation for Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

In 2000, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) constructed a National TB Reference Laboratory, which was missing in Georgia. The ICRC through the NTP and the Ministries of Justice and Labour, Health and Social Affairs is supporting Georgian authorities in the implementation of a TB control programme in prisons, detecting infected patients and offering them a treatment which follows the world wide DOTS strategy. Since the beginning of the ICRC TB programme in the prisons of Georgia in 1997, 1,365 prisoners have been diagnosed and treated for TB. 71% of patients who undertook the treatment have been cured. Even though the proportion of prisoners infected with TB remained the same, the death rate among TB patients has dropped progressively from 40 TB patients in 1997 to 15 in 2000. ICRC also spends significant effort in health education for detainees and their relatives, prison medical staff and prison authorities in order to enhance preventive measures and improve living conditions. The continuous training of the prison medical staff remains a high priority.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Pauline Cernaix, Communications Delegate, ICRC. Tel.: 94 13 54/55, fax: 93 55 20.

SECTORS

Community Mobilisation

From 29-31 March 2001, CARE International in the Caucasus held a conference for west Georgia Community Mobilisation Initiative (GCMI) stakeholders. The West GCMI, implemented by CARE International in the Caucasus, is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The west GCMI seeks to implement project activities in five regions of western Georgia: Imereti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti, Guria and Ajara. The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Medical Corps (IMC). Originally the programme consisted of two components: community mobilization activities and grant management activities. Recently a third component was added: social policy development. This is being carried out by the Social Policy Initiative Group (SPIG), a division of the Horizonti Foundation supported by the east GCMI which is being implemented by Mercy Corps International (MCI).

The conference aimed to explore ways the west GCMI can best serve the communities of west Georgia. In addition it sought to identify needs and find solutions. Representatives from regional authorities, international organizations, local NGOs and CBOs (community based organizations) participated in the conference.

Emergency Response

From 2-6 April 2001, Save the Children and the Academy for Educational Development (AED) held the first phase of an Emergency Response, Disaster Assistance, Preparedness, and Capacity Development training session in Gudauri. This training is a part of the Emergency Preparedness component of the Georgia Assistance Initiative (GAI), a programme funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Emergency Preparedness component contributes to building regional capacity in disaster preparedness. A secondary objective of the Emergency Preparedness component is to increase coordination between government, community and international agencies in the field of disaster management.

By the end of the GAI programme, participants in the emergency preparedness component are expected to be able to identify potential hazards in their community and determine what associated risks threaten loss of life and livelihood. Participants should also be able to demonstrate the use of community resources in the implementation of disaster response activities. Enhanced coordination between community, government and the international community in disaster preparedness and response planning, should also be demonstrable.

Training

From 28-29 March 2001, within the framework of the Disastr Management Team Programme (DMTP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted a 1 1/2 day workshop on Conflict Transformation by Peaceful Means. During the workshop, participants were familiarized with modern conflict transformation methodologies as well as case studies.

For detailed information, please contact Ms. Nino Darchiashvili, UNDP/DMTP Project Coordinator. Address: 9 Eristavi St., UN House. Tel.: 25 11 26/28/29.

LOCAL NGO SPOTLIGHT

The Agency for Community Mobilisation and Social Development (ACOMSD) is a local implementing partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency is a merger of two independent NGOs, namely the Dawn Foundation, established in 1997, and ERA.

ERA had field based knowledge and a database of vulnerable families who are victims of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The Dawn foundation was specialized in community mobilization for rehabilitation of communal facilities such as schools and health centers, and undertaking construction based on self-help principles.

ACOMSD continues these activities in 2001, carrying out shelter and community development programmes targeted at returnee villages. In addition to above activities, ACOMSD has also started working on a potato seeds distribution project in 2001. The project was handed over by an international NGO, Secours Populaire Francais (SPF), and aims to distribute potato seeds at the rate of 105 kg per family to some 400 families. Beneficiary families will return an equal amount of potatoes after harvest. The beneficiaries are not limited to returnee families. ACOMSD aims to eventually create a seed bank which will not only help fund the agency but will also help the community re-engage in agriculture activities. Any assistance to the organisation for continuation or expansion of the project would help rebuild the agro-economy in the area affected by the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

For more information, please contact Mr. Alan Jusoev, Project Coordinator, ACOMSD. Tel.: 8 99 15 31 94.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The KNIP fund of the Netherlands government is designed for organizations that are active in the field of green nature. It includes nature management and maintenance, inventories of protected species and preservation actions for endangered species. The KNIP fund announces grants for environmental-oriented NGOs. There is no special application form to participate in the KNIP competition. All NGOs are invited to write their proposals which must meet the following conditions: projects must be self-sustainable and funding must not be spent on items such as rent, wages, and phone bills. Applicant organizations should provide contact information and a proof of registration. It should also provide a clear definition of the expected results and aim of the project. Applicants are expected to specify the type and length of activities and notification of earlier funding. Proposals should include a detailed budget and notification of self- contribution. Maximum funding for one project is US$ 2,000.

The deadline for submitting the applications is 30 May 2001, 4:00 p.m. Proposals can be submitted in English and Russian at the following address: Netherlands Consulate, 27/29 Paliashvili St., Tel/fax: 23 26 16.

Produced by OCHA Georgia. For more information, please contact Ms. Maka Esaiashvili, Information Officer

Tel/Fax: 995-32-959516; Tel: 995-32-943163; e-mail: unocha@unocha.org.ge

Contributions are welcome and should reach OCHA, 9 Eristavi St., Tbilisi by 12.00 hrs. on 9th 19th, and 29th of each month