Assisting conflict-affected communities in pandemic conditions

Supporting internally displaced persons and conflict-affected communities in coping with short- and long-term consequences of the pandemic

Summary

With funds from its Rapid Response Facility (RRF), UNDP assisted conflict-affected communities in Georgia in responding to the pandemic emergency. UNDP support focused on meeting the urgent needs of medical personnel and protecting vulnerable groups from the short- and long-term impact of the crisis. The project was part of UNDP’s wider response to the pandemic which aimed to help societies prepare for, respond to and recover from the crisis, drawing on UNDP’s experience in eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities and building resilience to crises and shocks.

What we do

• Improving the professional capacities of healthcare actors to respond to COVID-19.
• Raising public awareness of COVID-19 pandemic.
• Supporting the health system by providing safety means and equipment.
• Assisting conflict-affected communities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), in coping with the pandemic.  

Results

UNDP provided support to 4,000 vulnerable people living in 100 collective centres across Georgia. This assistance included regular disinfection of the premises; provision of information on how to prevent COVID-19; and distribution of food parcels, cleaning supplies and protective equipment to needy residents. In addition, home care service was arranged for frail elderly residents who needed personalized services.

UNDP also organised regular humanitarian shipments of medical commodities and sanitary supplies to hospitals and medical personnel in Abkhazia. Protective gear for healthcare workers was delivered to hospitals, clinics and tuberculosis treatment centres in Gudauta, Gagra, Gali, Ochamchire, Pitsunda, Sukhumi and Tkvarcheli. Transport was made possible through a joint UNDP-EU coordination mechanism established in 2010.

Contact information

Project address

9, Eristavi Street
Tbilisi 0179 Georgia

Contact persons

Tamta Chelidze
Project Officer
tamta.chelidze@undp.org

Giorgi Vardishvili
UNDP Crisis Prevention & Recovery Team Leader
giorgi.vardishvili@undp.org