UN Georgia Information Bulletin for the period 11-20 Mar 2000

Training Programme for Georgian NGOs
The Kutaisi-based Charity Humanitarian Centre "Abkhazeti" (CHCA), in collaboration with the Armenian Assembly of America's NGO Training and Resource Centre (NGOC) has implemented a training programme for Georgian NGOs. The programme was initiated by the Academy for Educational Development (AED), and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The training aimed to strengthen the fundraising capacities of the participating NGOs by raising their awareness of planning, implementing, and monitoring issues associated with fundraising. The programme also aimed to improve basic marketing and financial management skills. The training programme included a combination of theory and practice which highlighted topics such as marketing for fundraising purposes, fundraising contexts, fundraising concepts, fundraising strategies and vehicles.

The training course was conducted in five different locations. NGOC and CHCA trainers worked together to jointly deliver the course in Gurjaani, Tbilisi and Batumi. Similar sessions were conducted in Gori and Borjomi by CHCA trainers. In total 74 persons have participated in the training.

Conflict Resolution Workshop

From 6 to 10 March, the United Methodists Committee on Relief (UMCOR) conducted a conflict resolution teacher-trainers workshop in Yerevan, Armenia. The training occurred under the auspices of UMCOR's Tbilisi/Sukhumi Youth House Project, which is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), 15 project staff members participated, five from each of the three UMCOR Youth Houses in Georgia: Tbilisi, Sukhumi, and Zugdidi. The goal of the training was to better enable teachers to help children grow into non-violent persons. Training objectives included the promotion of ethnic reconciliation through joint activities, the promotion of non-violent conflict resolution techniques, and peace education. Practical examples of the application of non-violent conflict resolution techniques were also discussed. For example, participants discussed conflict transformation and peace education activities from UMCOR Youth Houses and primary schools in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Georgia. The workshop also aimed to develop joint policies regarding methods appropriate to youth programming that are related to conflict transformation, techniques, and psycho-social rehabilitation.

Protection Centre for Refugees and Asylum-seekers Established in Tbilisi

The Independent Society "Human Rights in Georgia," funded by the Norwegian Human Rights Fund has established a protection centre for refugees and asylum-seekers in Tbilisi. The aim of the centre is to protect the rights and legal interests of refugees and asylum-seekers in Georgia. It is anticipated that within the framework of the project an information bank will be created which will fully cover the information needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in Georgia. In order to raise the effectiveness of operations, training-seminars are planned for staff workers with highly experienced trainers and lecturers. The centre will maintain permanent contacts with those governmental structures or NGOs that are directly involved with human rights protection and refugee issues. On the basis of experience gained during operations, the centre will conduct seminars for authority representatives in pre-selected regions. Different types of free legal consultations for refugees and asylum-seekers is also envisaged. The centre also plans to publish a quarterly brochure about laws and issues affecting the displaced.

S E C T O R S

Food

The World Food Programme (WFP) has completed delivery of food to beneficiaries within the WFP supplementary food distribution winter programme. This programme envisaged distribution of 60-day food rations to 55,147 IDPs residing in collective centres, and 12,964 vulnerable children, women and elderly.

The 60-day food ration consisted of wheat flour, vegetable oil, sugar, and canned fish. In addition, IDPs received beans, and vulnerable persons cheese. The food was distributed in one distribution round.

Selection of beneficiaries for the winter programme was carried out in close coordination with the Coordination Department of International Humanitarian Aid (CDIHA), and the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation.

Multi-sectoral Assistance to the Vulnerable

From 9 to 19 March, Counterpart International delivered food and clothing to single pensioners and IDPs in Terjola, Tkibuli, and Chiatura. Single pensioners in Zugdidi were assisted with food. IDPs residing in Zugdidi received folding beds.

Shelter and Non-food

On 17 March, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provided emergency supply assistance to Chechen refugee children living in the Pankisi Valley of the Akhmeta region. The aid included 359 units of winter jackets, 1,240 pairs of winter boots and 318 pullovers targeted for 1,917 refugee children aged 0-16. Distribution was carried out via the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Akhmeta. This was the first lot of the emergency supply for Chechen refugee children. The second lot includes 513 pairs of trousers and is to be distributed next week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On 24 March at 3 p.m., the Ministry of Agriculture and Food will host a coordination meeting of international organisations operating in the agricultural sector. The agenda of the meeting will include a discussion of future activities of the Agribusiness Bank established with the assistance of the European Union, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) project entitled "Mountainous Regions Development in Georgia."

On 17 March, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) held a theme-based community development seminar.

At the seminar the nature of community development was discussed. Ms. Maura Fulton from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) gave a presentation on the difference between asset-based and needs-based approaches to community development. Mr. Tom Gerhardt also from IRC, touched upon community perspectives. Mr. Larry Dershem, Community Development Research Specialist from Save the Children, made a presentation on participatory and non-participatory methods in community development programmes.

Minutes from the meeting are available at OCHA.

Avangardi is a Zugdidi-based non-government organisation registered in May 1998. The goal of the organisation is to develop civic society and its components in Georgia both for IDPs and the local population. Avangardi promotes children's education, health education and healthcare improvement, as well as civil rights awareness, and community participation. The organisation also renders assistance to vulnerable persons.

Since November 1999, Avangardi, in partnership with Counterpart International, has been conducting a community development programme in four communities of the Zugdidi district: Onaria, Vector, Kombinati, and Paipuri. Within the framework of the programme Avangardi has completed assessment of humanitarian and development needs of the communities.

The organisation is ready to cooperate with all interested individuals and organisations.

Address: 7, Agmashenebeli St. Zugdidi. Tel.: 2 45 53; (8 99) 50 07 40.
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Produced by OCHA Georgia. For more information, please contact Ms. Nino Zhvania, 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 12.00hrs. on 9th, 19th, and 29th of each month.