A meeting with Kemlin Furley, the representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Georgia was held In Kutaisi, at the head office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". The meeting was also attended by a representative of the Georgian Red Cross Society Kutaisi branch.
Mrs. Kemlin was informed about the ongoing projects implemented by the Fund "Sukhumi" and the Red Cross for the assistance of Ukrainian refugees. The conversation touched upon the condition of Ukrainians, existing challenges and needs. Particular attention was paid to problems in terms of health and education and their advocacy at the national level.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
June 20, the International Day of Refugees and IDPs, is traditionally celebrated by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" with various activities. For the third year already, the event “The Aroma of Sukhumian Coffee in Kutaisi Boulevard” has been held. Ukrainian refugees were present last year and came this time. The women prepared cookies with Ukrainian theme. A Ukrainian girl danced their national dance. This day was impressive and everyone saw the active work of the Fund.
The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has already provided assistance to 539 people who came from Ukraine. In June, 16 new people were added to our database. Our support was expressed in a following way:
- 28 families (44 people) received products
- We paid the rent for 6 families
- We paid utility bills for 6 families
- Medical costs for one Ukrainian woman were reimbursed
- We bought a bus ticket with $220 to Ukraine for Lyubov Maksimenko and she returned to her country.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Kutaisi Women Initiative Group actively advocates for problems and at the same time works to identify new needs. The leader of the initiative group holds individual meetings with representatives of IDP settlements, studies problems and determines their priority in order to timely solve problems with the involvement of relevant services and improve the situation of IDPs.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
The problem advocated by Khoni Women Initiative Group is related to the homeowners' association. This institution has existed in the IDP settlement for many years, and 16 homeowners' associations have already been registered. However, there is no program in the local government budget that would allow the associations to jointly implement various infrastructure projects.
In terms of updating the issue at this stage, the meetings were held with the population. For timely and successful advocacy, the Women Initiative Group is in close contact with local self-government.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
International IDP / Refugee Day was celebrated by the Women Fund "Sukhumi" with the aroma of Sukhumian coffee in Kutaisi Boulevard - for the third time.
Along with coffee brewed on the sand, the guests tasted cookies with painted icing on the theme of Abkhazia.
The chairman of the organization Alla Gamakharia presented certificates of appreciation for friendship and partnership to: Kakha Enukidze (Mayor of Bagdati), Nodar Giorgidze (chairman of Bagdati City Council), Shalva Kirtadze (rector of Kutaisi State University), Ketevan Tskhakaya (head of Imereti Scientists’ Union "Spectrum"), Lado Jurkhadze (Mayor of Khoni), Alu Gamakharia (founder of the Association “Business and Peaceful Caucasus”), Pakizo Panchulidze (Director of Tskaltubo, public school No. 1), Maya Nutsubidze-Kobulia (Director of Tskaltubo, public school No. 4), Eliso Pantskhava (associate professor, translator).
The members of Kutaisi women initiative group selected actual problems from the research and worked on drawing up an advocacy plan. The members of the group defined specific advocacy activities and responsible persons. Members of the youth club actively work within the framework of mini project. With the help of the forum theater method, they tell the audience about violence. During the meeting, the students expressed the emotions that they received during the performance and feedback.
Members of Senaki women initiative group heard information about the mixed (Georgian, Ossetian and Abkhazian) meeting held in Istanbul. They discussed the importance of face-to-face meetings and the possibility of exchanging information. In the second part of the meeting, the participants analyzed the problems identified as a result of the research and worked on an advocacy plan. Against the background of an interesting discussion, the meeting with the youth group continued. The participants talked about the progress of the mini-project, the obtained results and the emotions that accompanied the performances of the forum theater.
The members of Tskaltubo women initiative group analyzed the problems that can be advocated with local resources. They also worked on advocacy plans, which increase the possibility of solving problems. The members of the youth clubs existing in Tskaltubo public schools No 1 and No 4 evaluated the progress of the mini-projects. They talked about how the audience received the scenes of violence presented with elements of forum theater. According to their assessment, the audience thought with them, discussed and looked for a solution.
The members of both women initiative groups of Khoni selected current problems and worked on drawing up an advocacy plan. The members of the group defined concrete advocacy activities and responsible persons. The members of Khoni Youth Club are actively working within the framework of mini-project. Through the forum theater method, they talk to the audience about the cruelty of violence and its harmful consequences.
