NO WAR ZONE GEORGIA
Where: Tbilisi, Senaki, Poti, Georgia
Local partner: Charity Humanitarian Centre Abkhazia
Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, the country has endured periods of civil war and unrest due to fighting between the government of Georgia and the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have been struggling for independence for the past 15 years since they fear they will become further marginalized within Georgia.
Presently, the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are both semi-autonomous but are not recognized as independent states from Georgia. A ceasefire was implemented in 1992, however, fighting has carried on and the people of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia continue to suffer. Tens of thousands of people were forced out of South Ossetia and Abkhazia into Georgia. More than 200,000 people are living in unsafe conditions, mostly in ‘collective centers’ located in former hotels, factories, schools and hospitals. According to UN OCHA, 70% of the collective centers in Georgia do not meet minimum living standards, with inadequate access to clean water, insufficient heating, high levels of unemployment and poor access to health and educational facilities. Among the displaced population, internally displaced children and youth remain the most affected in their vulnerable situations.
CHCA is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 1995 that works to improve the social and economic conditions of IDPs and other vulnerable groups through the implementation of community development programs in western Georgia.
War Child Canada is working in close partnership with Charity Humanitarian Center ‘Abkhazia’ (CHCA) to empower children and youth living in IDP centers in Georgia. The project aims to empower vulnerable and war affected children and youth in Georgia, enabling them to develop their personal and life skills, reveal leadership opportunities and to become active participants of society. The project will impact IDP children and youth living in six cities of Georgia: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Zugdidi, Senaki and Poti. CHCA will provide training in English, IT skills, personal empowerment workshops, human rights workshops, civic education and business management training. In addition, vocational training will also be provided to youth to develop necessary skills for future employment.
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