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Activity Data Sheet PROGRAM: Georgia TITLE & NUMBER: Reduced Human Suffering in Targeted Communities, 114-031 STATUS: Continuing PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $7,572,300 FSA PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $11,400,000 FSA INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1993 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003 Summary: Since achieving independence in 1991, Georgia has faced a series of conflicts on its territory that have led to approximately 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). The weak central government provides a completely inadequate safety net for the vulnerable part of the population. Job creation and real income growth have not been realized. Nearly 50 percent of the population reside under the poverty line. Extreme economic stress limits access to health care and to minimum living standards, which further alienates the public from the reform process. This strategic objective aims to reduce human suffering in targeted communities by helping to meet basic human needs, while emphasizing local self-reliance and conflict resolution activities. These activities address the underpinnings of conflict by meeting urgent needs and building the capacity for vulnerable communities to meet their own needs over the longer term. This approach to reducing human suffering is central in supporting the overall U.S. foreign policy objective to promote stability. Activities under this objective contribute to political and social stability and assist in the peace process. Program Categories include Emergency Relief and Economic Rehabilitation, Refugees/Internally Displaced People (IDPs), Post-Emergency Relief and Economic Rehabilitation, Poor and Vulnerable Groups, Health Partnerships, Infectious Diseases Prevention, Maternal/Child Health, Family Planning, and Program Development and Support. Key Results: USAID has identified three intermediate results that are necessary to build the foundation for achieving this strategic objective: (1) Urgent needs are met during crises; (2) Vulnerable communities are better able to meet their own needs (through increased capacity to deliver health and other services and more active participation of vulnerable groups in the economy); and (3) Vulnerable groups are identified. Performance and Prospects: During FY 2000, USAID addressed basic needs, while emphasizing local self-help and conflict resolution activities. USAID fielded an integrated package of programs to respond to a severe drought. By the end of October 2000, 37,787 affected households had received drought assistance: commercial farmers received special credit packages; subsistence farmers received distributions of wheat seed, diesel and planting cash; and a feeding kitchen was established for pensioners in the worst hit district. The hard-hit and politically sensitive region of Samtskhe-Javakheti was included in the response package, contributing to ethnic stability within Georgia. During the winter months, 120,000 vulnerable persons, 22 institutions, and nine collective centers for IDPs received $5 million in subsidies to cover their electricity bills. This program was integrated with other USAID programs under Strategic Objective 1.5 - A More Economically Efficient and Environmentally Sustainable Energy Sector. Relief programs rehabilitated 48 dilapidated IDP collective centers, benefiting over 12,000 households. USAID fed 6,500 isolated pensioners 5 times a week in cities outside of Tbilisi. Transitional programs assisted 13,664 vulnerable households in meeting their basic needs through the provision of 1,700 micro-credit and 3,026 small loans and the implementation of agricultural programs. With local Georgian partner organizations, 110 community micro-projects benefiting 27,900 households were implemented. As part of USAID's conflict prevention and mitigation program, 5,310 IDP and other vulnerable youth affected by the Abkhazia conflict were provided with opportunities for psychosocial rehabilitation through three Youth Houses. Support for immunization programs resulted in overall immunization levels of 76.8%, with a 95% level for diseases such as diphtheria and polio. Initial progress in addressing iodine deficiency disorders was made through the distribution of iodine capsules to children in selected regions. A family health campaign was launched promoting modern contraception methods; building health provider capacity in contraceptive technologies; and reproductive health evaluation activities. Women's clinics reported a 200% increase in patient visits since the launch of this campaign. Over 500 health-care professionals were trained through health partnerships, focusing on primary health care, infection control, women's health and health management education. A Women's Wellness Center opened serving approximately 4,000 women annually. A new blood bank opened which in the last month of the reporting period had already received 105 blood donations and processed 225 blood products for patients needing transfusions. USAID's priority under this SO in FY 2001 will be to focus on capacity building within targeted communities so that they will become more self-sufficient. To this end, USAID recently launched the Georgia Community Mobilization Initiative (GCMI), which seeks to build the capacity of targeted impoverished communities to respond more effectively to meet their own needs. The Georgia Assistance Initiative (GAI) will continue to assist communities in addressing priority needs in shelter, basic infrastructure rehabilitation, income generation, and health. USAID plans to provide more support to the vulnerable groups of Georgia through extending the Georgia Winter Heat Assistance program. In FY 2001 USAID intends to obligate $100,000 and $1,800,000 of FY 2001 funds for these programs under the Emergency and Post Emergency Relief and Economic Rehabilitation program categories respectively. In addition to the above, specific programs to assist the most vulnerable, especially the elderly, in society to receive adequate nutrition will be continued. In FY 2001, $400,000 will be obligated to under the Poor and Vulnerable Groups program category. In order to address the continuing need of Georgia's IDP population for minimally acceptable housing, USAID will continue to support the shelter and community development program implemented by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). The International Rescue Committee's Self-Reliance Program will continue to work towards improving the economic opportunity of vulnerable populations in Western Georgia. USAID plans to obligate $1,500,000 under the Refugee and IDP program category. The implementation of five Health Partnerships will continue with partnerships supporting primary care, blood bank services, infection control, health management education, and a Woman's Wellness Center. In FY 2001, $1,000,000 is the planned obligation level for the Health Partnerships program category. Much of the assistance of USAID's health program focuses on the prevention of infectious diseases. Assistance will be continued to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), strengthening the program of immunization and control of vaccine for preventable diseases. New programs are being designed to combat Tuberculosis (TB), strengthen Health Information Systems, and to provide technical assistance on the rational use of pharmaceuticals. TB in particular will receive in-depth attention, due to the rapidly rising rates of infection in Georgia. USAID plans to obligate $1,280,000 in FY 2001 under the Infectious Disease Prevention program category. A family health campaign will promote modern contraception methods as a means of reducing the rate of abortion in Georgia, recently evaluated as the highest in the region. In FY 2001, USAID plans on obligating $700,000 under the Family Planning program category. The recently awarded Georgia Safe Motherhood Initiative will improve maternal and infant health in Georgia through strengthening of integrated maternal and perinatal health services. In support of this activity, USAID plans to obligate $72,300 under the Maternal/Child Health program category. In addition, in FY 2001 USAID plans to obligate $792,040 under the Program Development and Support program category In FY2002, the core of the humanitarian response program will be the Georgia Community Mobilization Initiatives. These initiatives address USAID's priority to focus on capacity building within targeted communities so that they will become more self-sufficient and be better able to meet their own needs. The health program will build around four main initiatives: health partnerships, infectious disease programs, community health, and women's health/family planning. Beneficiaries: IDPs/Refugees, isolated pensioners, women of child-bearing age, infants and children, other socially vulnerable groups. Possible Adjustments to Plans: A peace settlement for Abkhazia would necessitate a rapid deployment of resources to assist the resettlement of displaced persons. Conversely, accelerated tensions could cause an eruption of conflict analogous to the May 1998 events and thus would necessitate an immediate response to urgent humanitarian needs. Other Donor Programs: Humanitarian and transition assistance is provided in close coordination with the European Commission and other bilateral, primarily European, donors. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) work on the macro environment in areas such as economic restructuring, policy and institutional reform of the social safety net, health reform and education sectors. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID-sponsored activities are implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund, the American International Health Alliance, PA Consulting, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Rescue Committee, Save the Children Federation, Mercy Corps International, CARE International, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Salvation Army, Management Science for Health, Johns Hopkins University, Population Service International, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Atlanta. FY 2002 Performance Table Selected Performance Measures: Reduced Human Suffering in Targeted Communities, 114-031 Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Number of people living above the poverty line in the regions with targeted communities - Guria NA NA 49.15% 46.3% 49.15% 49.15% Indicator 1: Number of people living above the poverty line in the regions with targeted communities - Imereti NA NA 43.17% 48.12% 43.17% 43.17% Indicator 2: Number of community projects completed NA NA 20 113 250 300 Indicator 3: Overall immunization coverage NA NA 76.8% 79.7% 90% 90% Indicator 4: Percent of responses from government to requests made for public information NA NA 0 7,453 1,250 NA Indicator 4: Number of minutes devoted to news programs on a weekly basis by selected independent television stations NA NA 639 594 750 NA Indicator 5: Percent of responses from government to requests made for public information NA NA NA 26.3% 20% 25% Indicator Information: Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: SO Average percentage per targeted region Official reports of State Department of Statistics of Georgia This indicator is used as proxy for "reduced suffering." It measures the relative number of people living above the official poverty line in regions where USAID-funded activities are implemented. The data is disaggregated by region. The objective of the assistance program is to prevent the number of people living below the poverty line from growing. Indicator 2: IR Number Reports from implementing partners Indicator measures the number of projects carried through to completion by community action teams or other local groups organized through USAID-funded community mobilization and development activities. Indicator 3: IR Percent ISFED poll This Indicator measures increasing responsiveness of and progress by local government in implementing the Freedom of Information (FOI) section of the Administrative Code. The FOI section directly increases the access of citizens to public information and the availability of public information. The 1999 baseline data are from requests made by ISFED members from all regions of the country for information relating to budget allocations, budget disbursements, and criteria for budget allocations. Requests were made to local government departments of finance, health, etc. The survey will be repeated each year. Indicator 4: IR Number (annual) Reports from implementing partners Indicator measures number of jobs created as a direct result of USAID-funded activities under this IR. The data is disaggregated by sector. Indicator 5: IR Average contribution per project measured by percentage of contribution (i.e. total of monetized contributions divided by total value of projects). Reports from implementing partners For USAID-funded activities with a community mobilization and development focus, this indicator measures the relative and absolute value of community contributions of cash, material and labor. U.S. Financing (In thousands of dollars)

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