Emergency
assistance including food, hygiene kits and other basic non-food items
have been delivered to people affected and displaced by the conflict
in Georgia by ACT members working in North Ossetia, South Ossetia
and other affected areas of Georgia since the conflict in August.
This includes US$ 60,000 ACT Rapid Response Funding for assistance
to displaced persons in both North and South Ossetia, delivered by
ACT Member the
Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The current ACT Preliminary Appeal
for humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war in Georgia
outside South Ossetia has raised 336,632 USD against a target of 521,415
USD to date, for assistance by four ACT members: International
Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), United Methodist Committee on
Relief (UMCOR), Swiss Interchurch Aid (HEKS) and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
(DKH), working in turn with local partner organizations. In addition,
ACT member the World Council of Churches (WCC) sent a delegation
to Russia and Georgia from September 3-7th to express the
solidarity of the ecumenical community with churches and populations,
to gain a general understanding of the humanitarian needs and to listen
to the churches expectations of the international community including
sister churches abroad.
The
response has now moved into the rehabilitation phase, and members
have been involved in assessment of the still volatile situation and
the needs of people affected by the conflict whether local communities,
people still displaced and staying in Temporary Accommodation Centres
(TACs) or with host families, or those who have recently returned
again to their neighborhoods and villages.
Between
August 30th- September 5th, ACT member Norwegian
Church Aid (NCA), facilitated by the Russian Orthodox Church and
in coordination with other ACT members responding in the region, conducted
an assessment of the situation mainly in South Ossetia with regards
to the needs and rights of displaced persons and returnees. The focus
of the assessment was on psychosocial needs, water, sanitation and
hygiene needs, and with special regard to the right of women to participate
at all levels and to be protected from gender-based violence.
NCA
have recommended in their report that recovery programmes should take
an integrated community approach within a defined geographic area,
rather than concentrating on one particular group, and ensure active
participation of local citizens and networks of volunteers. This is
to ensure that disparities are not created between local and severely
affected people which might generate resentment and social tension.
While the assessment found that no additional, immediate food aid
was needed in South Ossetia, loss of crops and their lack of storage
may mean that food security will need to reassessed for the winter
months. Core components of programming should also include the installation
of water and sanitation facilities, hygiene education, development
of community services, and psychosocial support and assistance to
people traumatized by their recent experiences.
The
reconstruction of damaged buildings is coordinated by the Russian
federation’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (Emergcom), with schools,
kindergartens and hospitals set as first priority. Emercom has indicated
that most private houses needing renovations can be done by the people
themselves, and they are planning is to bring building materials from
North Ossetia which will be distributed for free. However, as the
winter months draw closer, shelter rehabilitation will need monitoring
to prevent a further emergency situation.
As
reported by UNOCHA (Sitrep No. 15, September 23rd), UN
and other 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. Widespread looting and intimidation of the local
population has been reported and lack of protection is a major issue,
especially amongst the predominantly elderly residents in villages
close to the border. The UNHCR has identified lack of rule of law
and insecurity as the main obstacle to returns, together with looting
and destruction of property. The fear of UXOs has also been reported
from various sources, including ACT assessments. 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 for delivery of humanitarian assistance
remains a key concern. Food security is also a concern affecting both
the local population in areas north of Gori to sustain displaced populations
and feed livestock over the coming winter months. Elderly people,
who are the majority remaining in the villages, will require particular
assistance in terms of food security and attention to early recovery
activities. In order to plant winter week in the next weeks, local
communities will need immediate assistance is required to purchase
seed and fertilizer and to replace looted items.
Next
steps
Proposals
have been submitted to the CO for a full ACT appeal which includes
rehabilitation assistance in areas outside South Ossetia by IOCC,
UMCOR, HEKS and DKH, and in South Ossetia by the Russian Orthodox
Church. A further proposal is expected from ACT member Hungarian Interchurch
Aid, also for work in South Ossetia.
The
Coordinating Office expects that the full ACT appeal will see a significantly
increased target to incorporate rehabilitation programmes including
livelihoods recovery and food security assistance against a proposed
budget of up to several million dollars (USD). However, as funding
interest is currently unclear and pledging slow, proposed programmes
may need to be scaled back to ensure that they will be more likely
to be funded to a sufficient level to make them viable. The Coordinating
Office would appreciate any information regarding potential funding
contributions to the forthcoming appeal.
