How are IDPs’ Living Conditions Being Improved?

How are IDPs’ Living Condition Being Improved?

More than decade has passed since the Abkhazian conflict began, which displaced more than 250,000 people. No exact information about their number is available, because the people who crossed the Georgian border were not registered.  Money intended to pay for electricity for IDPs has been wasted, and many IDPs living in different regions have no electricity. Most are unable to contact anyone in the government who could help with their problems. During my visit to the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation, officials refused to meet with many IDPs, who lack information about whom should they apply to in case of problems.

Every day, many people come to the Ministry to ask for help. Often housewives gather at in the office, waiting to see the Minister. During my visit, many complained that Minister Astemirova  receives them only on Tuesday from 10 to 1 o’clock. Usually, no one can speak with her. I asked Deputy Minister Mirza Kochiashvili about this, and he claimed that this was a baseless accusation. He told me that all IDPs who appear at the ministry are allowed to enter the reception area. However, when I was there, no IDPs were admitted to see the minister because it wasn’t an official reception day.

During my visit, I heard many complaints about unkind treatment. They talked about their sick children, who need medical treatment. Since January they have been receiving their money from the government, although they have to stand in long lines for hours to get their money. The National Bank has promised to improve the process.

Until the National Bank took over, providing assistance to IDPs was the responsibility of the Post Bank. IDPs were dissatisfied with the work of the Post Bank, mostly because payments were usually late. At the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation, I learned that IDPs had no idea what the exact amount of money they received should have been.
    
The National Bank has proposed issuing the IDPs plastic bank cards, to allow them to better keep track of their accounts, and to access their money in any part of Georgia. Since there are branches in almost every region, this would streamline the service.
   
IDPs also complained that in addition to legitimate recipients of aid, local residents of Tbilisi are also enrolled in the program, receiving money intended exclusively for IDPs. Another problem is that many people who die are not removed from the recipient lists, and continue to receive money. More than 1,000 people over the age of 100 still receive benefits. The Ministry is investigating this problem, and the lists are being corrected.

According to Kochiashvili, officially, 262,500 IDPs live in Georgia, but this number doesn’t include many people who are not registered. Kochiashvili also claims that the Abkhazian government has impeded the process by failing to provide information about the numbers of people living in their region.
   
The rules for updating the lists have changed this year. IDPs living abroad will be able to receive assistance, without losing their IDP status. Correctly calculating the number of IDPs living abroad will enable the ministry properly allocate funds currently being used improperly.

Another way to improve the registration process is to create profiles of individual IDPs. The ministry is currently undertaking this project in association with UNHCR. The goal is to gather comprehensive information about all IDPs, including photographs and demographic information. This process is scheduled to begin in fall of 2004.

An article in April in the newspaper “24 Hours” contained information about the IDP allowances for electricity. Under the state budget, the state gives IDPs enough money to pay for 24 hours worth of electricity. Kochiashvili concedes that much of the money has been wasted, and that IDPs have received much less than they are entitled to. He claims that the Ministry has ample evidence of this problem, but that they have received no cooperation from the energy companies. In most regions of Georgia, the consumption of electricity is already very limited, with the average cost of electricity in Tbilisi being about 14 GEL during winter and 10 GEL during summer. In other regions, the cost is 10 GEL during the winter and 6GEL during the summer.
   
Kochiashvili also advocates the cooperation of the government with NGOs.

Many IDPs were seriously injured during the Abkhazian conflict, and many cases of physical and mental trauma exist. Once in a month, IDPs who are potential recipients of medical assistance receive application forms. According to the decisions of doctors, the applicants get an answer, which may offer to cover all, half, or none of their medical expenses. Among IDPs, single or disabled people are given top priority.

by Maya Todua