HEADQUARTERS PRESS BRIEFING BY HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR GEORGIA

Press Briefing

HEADQUARTERS PRESS BRIEFING BY HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR GEORGIA

The effects of mass human suffering caused by the protracted conflict in Georgia, and the politically "frozen" negotiations between Abkhazia and South Ossetia, had consigned displaced persons in the region to a sort of limbo, Marco Borscotti, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Georgia, told correspondents at a Headquarters press briefing this afternoon. The situation presented a complex challenge to conventional wisdom in the international community as to what type of assistance was needed, as well as when and to whom it should be given. Conditions in Georgia had also highlighted the notion that perhaps it was time to develop an altogether new approach when dealing with the issue of relief for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Half of the displaced persons in Georgia lived in collective centres renovated seven years ago to serve as strictly temporary dwellings, Mr. Borscotti said. Even though they were considered citizens, the displaced were unable to register as residents, which thus diminished their rights and limited their capabilities in relation to the rest of the population of the country. In turn, their economic activity occurred mostly within the "shadow economy", and the meagre social services they enjoyed were generally sub-standard.

With all that in mind, he said, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with the World Bank and other United Nations agencies, had engaged the Government in a dialogue aimed at reforming the mechanisms for providing assistance to internally displaced persons. The process that had taken shape as a result of those discussions -- the so-called New Approach to IDP assistance -- first and foremost recognized the inviolable right of internally displaced persons to be treated in the same manner as all other Georgian citizens. At the same time, however, the New Approach recognized the right of the IDPs to return to their homes in safety and with dignity once it was safe to do so.

He went on to say that in January, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze had signed a decree establishing a commission to facilitate the elaboration of the New Approach campaign. The United Nations, the international donor community and the Bretton Woods institutions had been invited to participate in the design and implementation of the programme.

"In view of the Government's support, we are now moving ahead with implementation", he said. A total survey of the living conditions of internally displaced persons had been completed so as to identify their specific needs. The United Nations had also begun testing methodologies for new assistance that would be provided to facilitate the IDPs’ temporary integration into Georgian society. Emphasis would be placed on the entry of internally displaced into the formal economy and on improving their living conditions. Another important aspect would be assistance for the communities where the displaced persons lived. That was critical, because civilian populations that absorbed displaced persons had often been equally affected by the consequences of war.

The goal, he continued, was to improve the condition of IDPs within two to three years and allow them to be mainstreamed into Georgian society. To

Georgia IDPs Briefing - 2 - 21 July 2000

facilitate that part of the New Approach, a trust fund had been established by the World Bank. Along with seed money provided by the World Bank and the UNDP, promises of contributions had so far been received from the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It was hoped that other donors would soon pledge funds so that financing for the complete implementation of the New Approach could begin in earnest. All that was a sure way to improve the lives of IDPs and ensure that they would become active subjects in their countries and contribute to the further development of Georgia.

A correspondent wondered how it would be possible to deal with the large population of displaced persons in Georgia when there was an evident lack of political will to move the peace process forward. The very reason for developing the New Approach had been because there was an unfortunate stalemate in the peace process, Mr. Borscotti said. "So what we're trying to do is help them put their lives in order where they are." That would ease the tensions that were impeding progress in the negotiations by reducing the pressure for immediate return. At the same time, providing immediate assistance would give displaced persons a head start at resettling successfully when they eventually returned to Abkhazia and Ossetia.

Although most of the IDPs in Georgia worked, their jobs were basically in the "shadow economy", he continued. So, immediate assistance would allow them to participate in the formal economy and aid them in becoming full-time members of society. Once it was proven that they could be self-sustaining, IDPs would also pay taxes. In turn, they would be allowed to participate in and benefit from Georgia's basic social structure, with access to the same schools and health services as other citizens.

A correspondent asked if any of the IDPs now living in Georgia had returned to their homes and if they had, what had their experience been? Mr. Borscotti said it appeared that displaced persons had returned to only one part of Abkhazian territory, and that had been in 1997. While the United Nations had invested significant resources to assist that spontaneous return, in 1998 new conflicts had erupted which forced those persons to flee the region.

At the moment, he estimated that perhaps more than 40,000 people had returned to the region. But since it was harvest time, it was believed that many of those returnees were merely seasonal and that they would abandon the territory when winter arrived.

Mr. Borscotti felt that perhaps one or two million dollars would be sufficient to fund the pilot phase of implementation of the New Approach programme. For full-scale implementation, more than $100 million might be required. Not all the funds would come from donations, however. Loans from financial institutions would be considered, as well as assistance from the private sector.

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