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Georgia

Situation Report No. 12 on the Situation in Georgia 09 Sep 2008

Attachments

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 within South Ossetia
30,000
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.

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