Letter from our Donor Organization -Brot  für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Berlin,17 March 2022

Dear sisters and brothers,
Dear friends and colleagues,
Dear partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries,
We cannot imagine your situationatthe moment.And we lack words to expressour feelings as we witness theimmeasurableamount ofsuffering in these days.War isincredibly horribleandcruel, war leads to destruction and death–warcontains everything which we wantedto overcome together in common serviceand inourpartnershipfor life in dignity.War is aterrible attempt to cutconnections and to divide humans, it is carried out to destroyclose andlongtermrelations.
At the moment our means to change thissituationare limited. But we wouldliketo reassure you that we want to dofor youwhateverispossible.We want tosupport you and stand with you as much as we can. Please tell us what youneed, what is happening, what we can do for you now–because situations andneeds change quickly. We build on information from your side when we takedecisions.We try to react as fast as we can and to be as flexible as possible. Ourhumanitarian branch Diakonie Katastrophenhilfehas installed anemergencyfund, and wereceivedonationsin order to expand this fund. We are alsoclosely connected to political and ecumenical processes of dialogue, we areengaged in building bridges between countries and groups and conflictingparties. We raise our voice together with churches and civil societyorganizations–and we speak out also for those who at the moment have nochanceto raise their voices.We put as much resources as possible into disasterrelief, and by doing sowe want to express active solidarity with our partners inUkraine and with all refugees in the neighbouring countries, as well as with the refugees who come toGermanyin these days.

Consultative meeting was held with Zugdidi IDP Women Initiative Group. The group members were prepared to conduct the survey.

40 women with different statuses living in different collective centers will be interviewed in Zugdidi Municipality. The aim of the survey is to establish a social profile of IDP collective centers and privatized facilities.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

IDP women initiative group is actively working in Tskaltubo. The group members started a survey process to identify social needs and problems in IDP collective settlements. The purpose of the survey is to present the problematic issues of IDPs, to further advocate for them according to priority and to solve them in cooperation with the local self-government.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

A meeting-consultation was held with the IDP Women Initiative Group Kutaisi Municipality, which was attended by 12 members.

According to the agenda of the meeting, a developed questionnaire was discussed with the participants, which aims to study the needs of IDPs living in collective centers. Advocacy and resolution of these issues are also planned.

Tasks were personally distributed and decisions were made on all technical issues.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

An information meeting was held with the members of the IDP Women Initiative Group of Khoni Municipality. The meeting discussed the survey process in which group members will be involved. The survey will study the needs of IDPs living in Khoni Municipality, and then will start advocating for specific issues to address them.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

The Women Fund "Sukhumi" has been actively holding meetings in the municipalities in a round table format for years, with the involvement of referral entities provided by the Law on Violence, in order to facilitate the introduction of a coordination system between agencies at the local level.

The meetings highlighted the need to establish an interagency commission on the local level. Active work has started in the target municipalities to implement this initiative. Three working meetings were held with the representatives of Bagdati, Senaki and Chokhatauri municipalities. The meetings were attended by the Deputy Mayors, the heads of the legal, youth, social and health departments of the City Hall, the coordinators of the children's department, the persons responsible for gender.

Role-playing games,

Presentations,

Active discussion,

Screening of short films...

This is how the training with Zugdidi Youth Initiative Group on "Stereotypes and Tolerance" was held.

Such was the reaction of the participants:

"Today you have presented very important topics, in very simple, understandable language, we have learned what tolerance is, how important it is in relationships and what are stereotypes, stereotypical approaches".

The topic of solidarity is particularly important today.

This issue was discussed at the meeting of Zugdidi Women initiative group.

The women joined the action of solidarity to Ukraine

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID

"Forms of Civic Involvement at the Local Level and Ensuring Women's Participation." - Training on this topic was held with members of Tskaltubo Women Initiative Group.

Participants discussed the legal aspects of forms of civic engagement. The role and competence of self-government, the responsibility and benefits of citizens in this process.

Specific stories were analyzed, why civic engagement is important. What are the stages, what does this process mean for the self-government, for individual citizens.

The meeting of March 21 focused on the origins of International Women's Day and the topic of solidarity.

Participants expressed their positions on the current situation, they made small reports and presentations.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID