Ukraine and Impacted Countries Crisis - Emergency Appeal n° MGR65002, Federation-wide National Society Response Plan - Georgia

Timeframe of this response plan: Until 31 December 2025

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY / TRANSITION STRATEGY

Georgia continues to be both a destination and a transit country for displaced people from Ukraine. Over 25 thousand people are remaining in Georgia, and the number is expected to increase throughout 2023 and beyond; In February 2023, the Georgian Government extended legal stay for Ukrainian citizens (visa free) to two years, amending its Resolution No. 255 "On the approval of the list of countries whose citizens can enter Georgia without a visa" dated June 5, 2015. Consequently, all new arrivals may stay in Georgia for 2 years, while those in Georgia since 2022 will have additional one year visa free. Furthermore, recent assessments reveal the motivation and reasons among Ukrainians for choosing Georgia as a destination country being a) social and cultural similarities between Ukraine and Georgia, b) geopolitical and geographical proximity, and c) and family reunifications. Analysis of the needs assessment results, both at macro and micro levels, leads to the conclusion that the current collective coverage of public and local authorities together with the humanitarian actors in Georgia is insufficient to cover the basic needs of the displaced people from Ukraine. The Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) is the largest humanitarian organization in Georgia with its countrywide presence of 40 local branches and a network of 15,000 volunteers. The IFRC operates its Country Cluster Delegation in Tbilisi for the South Caucasus region. The response operation focuses on addressing the immediate and changing needs of the displaced people from Ukraine in Georgia through:

1. Timely and efficient provision of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), including both multi-purpose cash and conditional cash assistance for Health and Care, Child Protection, and Shelter.

2. Participatory and inclusive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) through Child-Friendly Spaces (CFSs), individual counseling and guidance for psychosocial rehabilitation, early recovery, livelihood and social integration targeting people in vulnerable situations with a particular attention devoted to parents and children (through Case Management).

3. Continuous evidence-based advocacy for increased attention and support to displaced people from Ukraine. The operation accommodates an increased focus on Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) as cross-cutting priorities throughout the operation, and will further invest in organizational and programmatic capacity strengthening in the areas of CVA, resource mobilization, case management, migration and information management.