THE CAUCASUS ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

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1 THE CAUCASUS ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE emergency appeal no /96 situation report no. 3 period covered: May - June July 1996 The International Federation's long-running operation in the poverty-stricken Caucasus region continued to consolidate during the review period. The ICRC-brokered release of 110 Armenian and Azeri prisoners was the highlight of a mainly routine two months when, in general, the Federation's relief and medical programmes progressed to plan. An anti-malaria campaign was launched in Azerbaijan's southern camps region while a contract was signed between the Federation and ECHO on an institutional feeding programme, covering 90 of the country's hospitals. The first batch of 40,000 food parcels came off the production line at a Federation facility in Georgia opened in May, while rehabilitation work on a group of psychiatric hospitals in the republic got underway and positive discussions took place with the Georgian Red Cross on the reorganisation of the Visiting Nurses Programme supported by ECHO. A total of six new ECHO contracts for the region were signed between ECHO and Swedish Red Cross, British Red Cross, Belgian Red Cross and the Federation amounting to ECU 4,220,000. The context The break-up of the Soviet Union, hyper-inflation, economic collapse and war have combined to place hundreds of thousands of Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Georgians in extreme poverty. The general populace of these three republics has witnessed cataclysmic changes in living conditions, and since 1993 the Federation has been working alongside National Societies, governments, local authorities, NGOs and international agencies to supply food, shelter, clothing, medicaments and other relief items to the most vulnerable. Latest events Russian Foreign Minister, Evgeni Primakov, arrived in Baku on 8 May during a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh. Mr. Primakov had a significant role in the freeing of 110 Armenian and Azeri prisoners, mediated by the ICRC, which coincided with the second anniversary of the cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan on 12 May.

2 According to UNDP s 'Armenia Human Development Report 1996', poverty in Armenia has increased drastically over the past five years. This document indicates that over 80 per cent of the population fall below the poverty line. Based on the criteria of monthly expenditures, the report divides the poor into three groups: 'the abject poor' (13% of the population) whose monthly expenditure does not exceed the equivalent of USD 17; 'the poor' (34%), who spend USD 17-35/month; and 'the comparative poor' (40%) - USD 35-40/month. A Caucasus summit was organised in Kislovodsk, Russia on 3 June. Meetings between the Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as the Heads of Republics, regions and districts of North Caucasia centred on the disarmament of illegal factions, repatriation of refugees and restoration of former economic and cultural relations. A memorandum on strengthening confidence between the Georgian and Ossetian sides was also signed. According to the summit statements, the geopolitical function of the Caucasus region should be converted from an arena of local conflicts and confrontation between big states, into a zone of mutual co-operation. The authorities of Georgia still hope to settle the Abkhazian and Ossetian conflicts through Russian mediation, though recent experience gives little basis for optimism. Red Cross/Red Crescent action Armenia Food and Non-Food Distributions The distribution of food and hygiene items, originally scheduled for mid-may, will now start in the week of 8 July. The relevant ECHO contracts have been extended until 15 and 30 August respectively. The delay was due to some difficulties faced by the trans-shipper contracted to move the commodities out of Batumi port to the Red Cross regional warehouse in Armenia. The procurement of the non-food items for the ECHO supported Visiting Nurses Programme (VNP) beneficiary kits continues, with a consignment of thermos flasks still outstanding. While the distribution of food parcels has been maintained, the non-food exercise will take place after repacking of the commodities. Food and hygiene elements have been drawn from surplus stocks rather than through extra procurement. The follow-on of the Institutional Feeding/Support Programme contract was signed between ECHO and the Federation to the value of ECU 520,000 in June. Medical Programmes Home Visiting Nurses Programme The programme personnel (130 medical and social nurses, 48 senior nurses and seven staff working at the Armenian Red Cross headquarters) continued provision of basic home care and social services to some 1,550 beneficiaries throughout the country. However, activities were impaired during June due to lack of medicines. The programme was initially extended till September 1996 following funding of ECU 101,000 from ECHO; in June, a further ECHO donation of approximately ECU 92,500 was made available, enabling continuation to end The implementation of the Campaign Against Intestinal and Skin Parasites funded by Netherlands Red Cross will start in September 1996, to coincide with the beginning of the new school year. 2

3 International Post-Trauma Rehabilitation Centre The Centre's Council of Governors held its first meeting of 1996, on 16 May, attended by representatives from Armenian Red Cross, the Federation Secretariat, and the Ministry of Health. Purchasing has been completed for all medical equipment and medicaments for IPTRC funded under ECHO contract (ECHO 2503C). Expected delivery of all items by truck from Europe is in mid-august. Significant work was carried out during the review period by the volunteer advisor on hospital management, recruited by BESO through the British Red Cross. Earthquake rehabilitation programme (mini-projects) During the reporting period, the regional health delegate visited the Gyumri Children Polyclinic, the Ambulatory in Hovuni, the Norwegian Red Cross Hospital in Spitak and the Children Psychological Rehabilitation Centre in Stepanavan. Azerbaijan Southern Camps Full food distributions took place in May, for the first time since February on the two ECHO funded contracts, namely ECHO 0210J and ECHO 2407G with the German Red Cross. However, June's wheat flour rations were reduced from 5 kg. to 7 kg per person, in line with ECHO recommendations which, in turn, are based on WFP's supplementary ration of one third of daily nutritional requirements. Non-food distributions remained on schedule. Support to the Southern Camps till the end of 1996 was provided in the contract signed in June between ECHO and Swedish Red Cross to the value of ECU 550,000. The agricultural programme continues to flourish. The first of the produce from the agricultural programme was harvested in the last week of June kg of tomatoes and 150 kg of each of eggplant and cucumbers were sold to the Baku Hayat Regency. Vulnerable Groups Programme ECHO 1002B with the Netherlands Red Cross was completed in May. A follow-on programme was signed in June to the value of 750,000 ECU which will provide for one distribution of food parcels to the 56,000 socially vulnerable throughout Azerbaijan. Institutional Feeding Programme A contract was signed in June to the value of ECU 400,000 between the Federation and ECHO for the supply of food to up to 90 hospitals throughout Azerbaijan. Extensive pre-monitoring of the institutions took place in May to determine which hospitals are suitable for the programme, due for implementation on 1 August. Southern Camps Region Anti-Malaria Programme On 16 May, the International Federation, the Azeri Red Crescent Society, and the Ministry of Health signed a letter of agreement outlining plans to cooperate in controlling an increase in the incidence of malaria in the districts of Sabirabad, Imishli, Saatli and Bilesuvar. Seminars were conducted by the Federation for local health workers, visiting nurses, and facilitators of the Southern Camps health education programme, focusing on the extent of the problem, the nature of the disease, its prevention and treatment; 100,000 leaflets summarising the relevant issues were distributed. During the review period all tents and buildings were sprayed with the insecticide ICON to control the infestation of dwellings by mosquitoes. Medicines for both prevention 3

4 (Prymetamine) and cure (Primaquine) of malaria are being dispensed through the camps' clinics by Federation-employed doctors, closely supervised by the medical coordinator. A diagnostic centre has been established at the centrally located Aranli Hospital. Leaflets and educational posters have been distributed outlining the campaign and explaining how to prevent the infection. This programme is funded by ODA. Chronically Ill and Elderly Programme During the reporting period the Federation signed a letter of agreement with the Ministry of Health enabling the import of medicines provided by the Netherlands Red Cross for this programme. At a workshop conducted for the six regional doctors who will supervise the programme, a prescription system was set up and explained. Subsequently, 90,000 prescription forms were printed for distribution as required. Georgia The Federation's Batumi-based Food Parcel Line began production at the end of April, on receipt of all commodities. The line was officially opened on 9 May by the ECHO representative for Georgia, the President of the Georgian Red Cross and the Head of Delegation. Producing an average of 1000 parcels per day the first batch of 40,000 parcels was completed by mid- June. Distribution is ongoing and scheduled to complete end-july. A follow-on 1.5 mio ECU contract was signed in June between ECHO and British Red Cross for the continuation of the in-country production of 100,000 food parcels covering the needs until end Distribution of the second shipment of USDA commodities took place in May, targeting more than 60,000 of Zugdidi region's internally displaced persons (IDPs). Through extensive monitoring and in close co-operation with the regional committees for IDPs, the number of listed beneficiaries could be reduced further during this contract. The Federation in Zugdidi area has given very substantial assistance to IDPs throughout the winter. Four distributions were carried out: Swedish Red Cross clothes, GTZ wheat flour, ECHO 1003-C bulk food and finally the USDA bulk food. World Food Programme contracts for Ajara and Kakheti regions were completed during May and June respectively. Over seven months around 32,000 of the most vulnerable in these two regions have been reached by the operation, with the Federation and Georgian Red Cross building up a vast experience in the two regions. Institutional Feeding Programme A contract was signed in June to the value of ECU 500,000 between ECHO and the Belgian Red Cross for the supply of food to up to 10,000 patients in hospitals wards. Medical Programmes Active work on the implementation and development of two Netherlands Red Cross funded programmes - pharmaceutical assistance and visiting nurses - progressed during the review period. In June, suggestions and recommendations on the reorganisation of the VNP were prepared by the regional health delegate and discussed with the National Society President at a meeting on 25 June in the GRC office, also attended by the HOD and relevant headquarters staff. Positive changes in the programme are expected. The VNP for 1996 includes basic laboratory services for the beneficiaries in those polyclinics where the GRC doctors have been working. The Federation will supply laboratory materials to some 15 polyclinics in Tbilisi and in the regions after the signing of an agreement between the health ministry, the Federation and National Society. 4

5 Under the ECHO and Netherlands Red Cross programme (ECHO 2517Q), a contract for rehabilitation of Bediani psychiatric hospital was signed at the end of May and work continues on schedule. A further five contracts were signed during June for similar projects in Surami, Poti, Kutaisi, Terjola and Senaki. Contracts for the remaining facilities in Tbilisi and Batumi were due for signature at the beginning of July. National Societies/General The formation of an institutional development committee is likely after the Georgian Red Cross Congress due on 18 July. This event should also clear the way for strengthening the Society's structure and enhancing its image. At the 15th General Assembly of the Armenian Red Cross, the Society's President, Dr. Ashot Sarkissian was re-elected; a new, smaller, presidium of the Society was also formed. The third regional workshop for information staff in Caucasus Delegations and ONSs took place in Georgia at the end of June. External relations - Government/UN/NGOs/Media All Delegations maintained the image of the Federation as the foremost relief/development organisation in the Caucasus through regular meetings with Governments, UN agencies, NGOs, local organisations and media. Contributions See Annex 1 for details. Conclusion During the reporting period we deeply appreciated the continual support in kind and in cash given by ECHO, participating National Societies and other governmental and non-governmental agencies, which has enabled us to meet the needs of the vulnerable population throughout the Caucasus region. However, the Caucasus is still in need of support from the donor community, particularly in cash contribution. Evgeni Parfenov Desk Officer Europe Department Renny Nancholas Director Europe Department 5