Georgia
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› Provides medicine and medical supplies to 70 health facilities |
Background
Georgia has had a turbulent history since its independence in 1991. Separatist movements in the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia resulted in the internal displacement of nearly 300,000 people. This and the dramatic collapse of Georgia's economy after the dissolution of the Soviet Union resulted in civil unrest, widespread unemployment and significant increases in maternal and infant mortality as people struggled to survive. UMCOR began humanitarian operations in 1993 to address the needs of women and children by providing essential medicines and treatment practices, aimed at combating the most common and preventable illnesses facing this group. This mission has grown since its inception to implement a number of transitional development projects throughout the country.
AGRICULTURE
Modern Agricultural Quest
UMCOR is in the process of engaging local agriculture and microfinance organizations to implement Modern Agricultural Quest in collaboration with UMCOR in the Samtskhe-Javaheti and Shida Kartli regions of Georgia. The program is funded through the sales of agricultural commodities (monetization of 8,000 metric tons of wheat and 600 metric tons of sunflower seed oil). This monetization process contributed to food security during an embargo from Russia.
Through the Modern Agricultural Quest program, over 17,000 small-sized agricultural private enterprises and individual farmers within the five administrative district regions will expand their production and marketing capacity. This project will (1) support the development of agricultural production and marketing facilities for new and existing small-sized agricultural businesses; (2) facilitate the adoption of modern agricultural technologies by new and existing agricultural businesses; (3) facilitate expansion of the agricultural private sector by providing credit to small-sized agricultural businesses, farmer associations, cooperatives, and individual farmers; and (4) improve socio-economic conditions for members of target communities by rehabilitating infrastructure projects.
HEALTH
Pharmaceutical Distribution
UMCOR's Pharmaceutical Distribution program has been providing assistance to vulnerable people since 1993. The program provides millions of dollars worth of high quality medicines and medical supplies to approximately 200,000 vulnerable children, elderly and other vulnerable Georgians through distributions to health clinics, orphanages, elderly homes and other institutions each year.
Improving Access to Modern Epilepsy Controlling Pharmaceuticals
UMCOR is supporting a program to increase access to affordable modern pharmaceuticals essential for treatment of epilepsy for vulnerable and general populations in Georgia. Under the program, UMCOR is working with the local organization, the Public Health and Medicine Development Fund of Georgia, to strengthen its revolving drug fund in order to provide medicines to people with epilepsy at no or low cost.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INTERVENTION
In response to the August 2008 conflict in Georgia, UMCOR has assisted approximately 75,000 people affected by the violence. UMCOR’s immediate relief efforts included distribution of food packages, infant formula, medicines, medical supplies, water, hygiene kits, clothing, shoes, pillows, mattresses and blankets to internally displaced persons (IDPs). These activities were supported by a variety of donors, including the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Georgia mission, the U.S. Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Methodist Church.
In preparation for the imminent winter, UMCOR continues to provide assistance to IDPs and returnees. Through funding support from OFDA, UMCOR is distributing some 4,000 hygiene, kitchen and winterization kits to these groups to aid them in coping with the winter months. UMCOR is collaborating with other agencies to winterize nine centers in western Georgia housing IDPs from the recent conflict and those living at the centers from the 1990s. UMCOR will outfit the centers with communal cooking facilities so that IDPs are able to prepare hot meals.
UMCOR continues to support vulnerable groups through its Department of State-funded Medical Commodity Distribution program. During the emergency, UMCOR coordinated distribution of over $440,000 worth of donated medicines and medical supplies provided by the State Department, as well as through other U.S. government sources. UMCOR is also funding procurement and distribution of medicines, primarily anesthetics, to replenish stocks at nine health institutions throughout Georgia. Consumption rates were higher during the conflict period due to increased patient admissions and surgeries.
UMCOR was designated by the World Health Organization/United Nation’s Health and Nutrition Coordination Group as the lead agency in Georgia for coordination of procurement and countrywide distribution of breast milk substitute to mothers who cannot breastfeed their infants. In this role, UMCOR is currently funding procurement and distribution of formula for hundreds of infants.
UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION
The United Methodists Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) launched its activities in Georgia in 1997. Through this program volunteers have educated youth, repaired boarding schools for children, assisted with providing food, clothing, equipment, and medicines and also set up a scholarship fund for Georgian youths from poor families.
PARTNERS IN OUR WORK
UMCOR Georgia works with a variety of partners to make our work possible. In addition to the private funds we receive through The United Methodist Church we also receive support from the following:
US Department of State
US Department of Agriculture
Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance
U.S. Agency for International Development
United Nations Children’s Fund
