Oxfam's work in Georgia in depth

In Georgia, Oxfam's focus is on health care, sustainable livelihoods, empowering people affected by conflict, and keeping government institutions accountable.

The context

Torn apart by two internal conflicts in the breakaway regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and South Ossetia - thousands of people still remain displaced. Many are living in limbo, housed in remote homogenised government-built settlements, with little prospect of returning home. Even now, Georgia remains among the poorest countries of the former Soviet Union. Exacerbated by the global economic crisis, paid employment is hard to come by, basic services are under-resourced, and social support to those who are most vulnerable is not sufficient. But, with help from Oxfam and its local partners, things are starting to change.

How is Oxfam helping?

Oxfam has worked in Georgia since 1993, following the outbreak of conflict. Through our local partners, displaced and vulnerable people are receiving improved health care. Small-scale farmers are producing more, and selling in new markets. We support people to learn about their rights, so they are able to take part in decisions that affect them, make institutions more accountable for their actions and policies, and to work towards a future without poverty.

Good health at an affordable price

Health care services should be available and affordable to all, yet people in Georgia who cannot afford vital medicines often go without.

Oxfam has set up rural community health financing schemes, completed the renovation of a new family medicine training centre and supported trainings of more physicians and nurses. Around 50,000 vulnerable people now have access to primary health care. Scheme members pay a small quarterly fee to receive basic treatment and medicines.

Khelaia Lolina, a beneficiary of Oxfam’s scheme, said "Before I was a member of this scheme, I was giving myself self treatment and buying very cheap medicine from unqualified pharmacists. Thanks to Oxfam, now we have access to better health care."

This innovative scheme is the first of its kind in the region bridging the public and private sector. With the help of the Community Health Financing Scheme (CHFS), Oxfam provides free healthcare and essential drugs to vulnerable communities.

Through policy and advocacy work Oxfam persuaded the Georgian government to institutionalise the Health Ombudsmen’s offices, which help poor people to access information about their basic health rights in Tbilisi and Batumi.

From poverty to prosperity

Oxfam and its partners are helping poor and displaced people to make a better living from their land. We’ve supported more than 2,200 families by sharing information about farming methods and by providing seeds, fertiliser, and other equipment. Through Trade Fairs, we’ve helped farmers to establish links with traders and reach new markets for their products.

In the Samegrelo and Adjara regions, we’re building greenhouses for vulnerable families so that they can grow vegetables throughout the seasons and build a sustainable income. Elsewhere, with our support, people are now growing new produce such as maize, potato, tomato, and improving their skills in cattle breeding and bee-keeping.

Madona Gulua, beneficiary of Oxfam’s project, told us, "With the income generated from selling cucumbers, I was able to expand my greenhouse and reinvest the profits into setting up my own bakery."

Oxfam is also helping small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses. A local partner – Lazika Capital, set up by Oxfam – provides credit for small businesses in Samgerelo region. Practical and financial assistance creates a good base for further development of poor families.

“We are getting the full-scale assistance to improve our living,” a jewellery-maker told us.

Keeping institutions accountable through participation

Oxfam and its partners are supporting civil society organisations to influence and monitor the government’s spending – and improve its accountability. Oxfam’s partner, the Disabled Women and Mothers of Disabled Children (DEA), is empowering and mobilising communities across Zugdidi to take part in decision making and challenge municipality budgets. Public committees, including a pioneering youth club, have been formed to work with local authorities and highlight the needs of the most vulnerable population. People have started to trust their local government, proving that dialogue can be a vehicle for change.

Disaster Risk Reduction

Georgia is a highly disaster-prone country. For the rural population of Georgia, landslides, flooding, erosion, earthquakes and soil degradation are becoming more common and causing the loss of fertile land. Oxfam and its partners are working closely with agricultural producers to ensure they are adequately prepared to face natural disasters. In the mountainous region of Ajara, Oxfam has been providing training to raise awareness about emergency situations (DRR) and equip people, especially women, with the skills and knowledge (contingency planning) to reduce the impact of disasters on their community. At all levels of government and society, we are striving to ensure people have the capacity and resources to respond to climatic shocks.

Empowering people affected by conflict

An estimated 400,000 people remain displaced in Georgia following two internal conflicts in 1992 and 2008. With funding from the European Union, Oxfam’s ‘Together We Can’ project is bringing together people affected by both conflicts, and empowering communities to take an active role in decision making. Through active dialogue, displaced people and host communities across Georgia are able to voice their social and economic needs, and protect their rights.

Mikheil, 57, Abkhazia said "For the first time, since the conflict, we feel empowered to make decisions. This programme gives me hope that together we can changes things for the future."