Tbilisi. Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative is funded by the European Union (EU) and co-funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). „Currently, the campaign covers 647 pre-selected locations (cities, villages, regional centres and settlements) throughout all ten regions of Georgia. As one of the upcoming actions, 22.500 grocery bags with imprinted information on preventive measures against the spread of the virus as well contact details of relevant institutions such as the Emergency Response Centre 112, the Public Safety Management Centre, the Ministry of Health, the National Centre for Disease Control and the Government’s encompassing 1st-level hotline, well distributed. They will be handed out free-of-charge by grocery stores operating in rural communities. With the engagement of project regional hubs, partnering businesses, the local self-governments, volunteer groups as well as local and international organisations, the campaign aims to inform and update the population about measures to protect their health and stay safe. The target population, amongst other residents, includes cross-border regions and remote villages, IDPs living in densely populated settlements, the elderly and ethnic minorities as the risk of quickly spreading misinformation within these groups and locations is high and likely.“ The project „Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” is implemented by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in cooperation with the Civil Society Institute (CSI), the Consultation and Training Center (CTC), the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), and the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC). The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and co-funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). Read more… Source: Social network

Tbilisi. The Open Society Georgia Foundation launches a large-scale project together with 14 regional TV channels, broadcasting in Georgia, and the Journalism Resource Center in order to inform population of the region better about COVID 19. “From April 15, there will be broadcasted a daily special program on each channel that is going to inform local population about the pandemic and analyze current news with invited guests in the context of COVID 19. This is a good opportunity to convince population of the region once again that social distancing is important. Besides, these programs will enable citizens to pose relevant as well as interesting for them questions and receive answers not only from the capital, but also from local government officials, doctors and healthcare professionals, teachers and law enforcers”, - is stated on the website of the Foundation in a social network. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. As UN Women Georgia informs in Georgia mostly women are engaged in production of medical protective garments and their role is enormous in the fight against the spread of coronavirus. “70 women employees of Doctor Goods are working around the clock to increase production of protective garments and masks for Georgian medical workers”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. According to information of Media Checker, the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics prepares guidelines for media in regard to COVID-19 coverage – “Ethics, safety and mental health while covering the coronavirus pandemic”.  “By this time the Charter has already elaborated guidelines for organizing distance working, while it will gradually publish thematically sorted recommendations in regard to other challenges occurred for media in parallel with the coronavirus pandemic. As the Charter states, media assumes a special role while covering issues related to coronavirus and it is important to adhere to principles of ethical journalism: accuracy, fairness, impartiality, etc. At the same time, media must be especially careful when using terminology”.  Read more…  Source: www.mediachecker.ge

Tbilisi. European Union in Georgia publishes a blog post: Covid-19: Disinformation can kill. “The COVID-19 outbreak is a global challenge that needs to be addressed at all levels of society: we have a responsibility as individuals to make sure we don’t spread the virus and take care of each other. Municipalities, regions, and states all have obligations to secure medical services, take care of the weakest and most vulnerable among us, and maintain public order. Academia and the wider research community, the private sector, the EU, the UN, and other regional and international bodies all have their designated responsibilities and functions. In the end, the effectiveness of the global response boils down to trust and cooperation. The Kremlin’s disinformation machine is seeking to undermine this essential solidarity at a time when disinformation can well and truly kill”. Read more… Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. The Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) publishes tips on how to make it easier for adolescents to remain in isolation and what to consider while dealing with them. “Isolation, distancing and staying at home are special challenges for adolescents. Reasons to this fact are age-related features, which can be summarized as follows: The most important for an adolescent during this period are social connections with peers as well as autonomy from home and parents”. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. An information campaign for prevention of COVID-19 spread is being launched by the EU-funded project “Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” in 647 identified high-risk locations throughout 10 regions of Georgia. ▪️ Among other activities, non-traditional information delivery channels will be applied: - 173.760 loaves of bread, with special information stickers, to be distributed within the target population, - 22.500 bags for grocery with relevant information will be delivered to groceries in the villages for free-of-charge distribution. Learn more… Source: The page of the organization in the social network

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: Importance of open data in the fight against pandemics: International Examples and Georgia. “In the near future, when internal spread of the virus starts, it is feasible to use the best international practice and introduce respective approaches. For instance, it is important to provide citizens with additional information about confirmed sites of infection in order for them to take extra careful measures. Along with tightening movement rules, it is necessary to ensure that citizens have access to a variety of online services, especially in terms of receiving health care and consultancy. Besides, the announced application will be of great importance” – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information publishes the blog post: Pandemics and Corruption Risks. “Due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, state of emergency was declared in Georgia on March 21, 2020. Unfortunately, international experience shows that corruption often thrives during times of crisis, as some see it as an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and use power for private gain. It is important that public institutions use the funds allocated to them within the framework of the emergency budget in a highly rational manner and ensure the transparency of this process. Considering all the above, it is important that the authorities ensure that risk factors in the health sector are identified and that appropriate measures are taken to ensure that the funds allocated in this direction are spent rationally and diligently”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) once again calls on Georgian Public Broadcaster to use its TV air and regularly update non-Georgian speaking population of Georgia regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention. “The team of the First Channel already spends significant efforts in order to make information available in different languages, however it almost does not go beyond the format of a web platform. It is noteworthy that in the circumstances when the television is often basic source of information in the villages of Marneuli and Bolnisi, main attention should be paid to specifically those mediums that provide the fastest and most comprehensive information updates for non-dominant groups”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Assistance of the EU to Georgia means allocation of more than 20 million euros. “More than 70 million euros, earmarked for already existing programs, will also be redirected to overcome the crisis, as well as access to a number of regional funds will be ensured. This is part of a large package of aid intended for the Eastern Partnership, which includes a new assistance in the amount of 140 million euros and redirection of up to 700 million euros as the aid allocated to the Eastern Partnership countries. The EU provides Georgia with also a macro-financial assistance, within the frames of which the funds will be made available as soon as mutually agreed specific actions are taken. The European Commission is ready to support Georgia also through the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) in order to evaluate emergency response preparedness schemes and health systems using expert knowledge, experience and good practice examples of the EU member states”, - is stated on the website of the EU. Read more… Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. Here in Georgia, the U.S. Government through USAID will contribute $1.1 million in emergency health assistance. „Delivered in partnership with the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, this assistance will support Georgia’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to help the individuals and communities who are most at risk. Critical public health measures made possible by the new assistance include infection prevention and control, case-finding and event-based surveillance, technical assistance for response and preparedness, strengthened risk communication, and more“. Read more... Source: The organization’s webpage in the social network

Tbilisi. Kelly Degnan the United States Ambassador to Georgia releases the video address. “These are challenging times, and we are all trying to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy. We at the U.S. Embassy are particularly grateful for the pro-active efforts of the government of Georgia, including the NCDC the Prime Minister, the President, almost every ministry, and Parliament, doing their best to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus and minimize its impacts,“ Ambassador Kelly Degnan. Read more… Source: The U.S. Embassy’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. Take a look at the address of Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador, as to how he appraises effective efforts of Georgia against COVID-19 and calls on everyone to take care of each other.  “I am reporting from home. These are clearly unprecedented times for Georgia and the rest of the world. Due to the Corona pandemic the world is turning upside down. I would like to use this opportunity to express my heartfelt admiration for the medical professionals, for doctors and nurses, for law enforcement and border guards, and others for working tirelessly these days for the safety and security of everyone here. This crisis is not only a health crisis but also a tremendous economic challenge, therefore I’m proud to be working alongside other international partners under the leadership of the Georgian Government to properly assess the needs and to set out the way ahead. The European Union stands with Georgia. The European Union is Georgia’s largest donor and strongest partner and we will remain that…”  Read more… Source: The website of the European Union in Georgia in a social network

Tbilisi. Part of Georgian civil society organizations call on the state and the media to consider minority languages in information policy. “We, the signatory organizations call on the Government of Georgia, Public Broadcaster, private TV stations to facilitate dissemination of information, related to the COVID-19 virus and its prevention, on Armenian and Azerbaijani languages, as well as to take positive measures to prevent hate speech and spreading of information, approaches of discriminatory content”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Part of Georgian civil society organizations and independent lawyers address the state and religious associations. “It is noteworthy that a number of religious associations in Georgia already consider the recommendation regarding social distancing and limit or temporarily suspend the practice of collective worship and religious rituals in various ways. Unfortunately, the Georgian Orthodox Church still does not pay sufficient attention to those vitally important recommendations, which ensure that both its members and the public at large are not endangered. Religious rituals are also attended by children, which fact poses a particular threat to minors”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG) addresses state agencies in regard to the situation on spread of the coronavirus. “The crisis, caused by the virus, most severely affects those who do not have the “luxury” of self-isolation or working remotely, as well as lonely and homeless seniors, homeless people, IDPs, single mothers, people with disabilities and more. Among them are also transgender people and, so far, the state refuses to regulate legal recognition of their gender, which is a vitally important legal tool to ensure access of transgender people to health, employment and other social protection mechanisms rather than just a legal formality”. Read more… Source: women.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) calls on the Government of Georgia and local self-governments to pay particular attention to protection of the right to have water in villages, which is critically important for prevention of the COVID-19 virus. “EMC systematically conducts assessment of needs of villages populated by ethnic minorities at municipalities of the Kvemo Kartli region and Akhmeta. Access to clean drinking and consumable water is an issue that remains the major challenge in majority of the villages”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” implementer organizations closely follow recent developments occurring around a new pandemic, #COVID-19, both in Georgia and worldwide. “We have been strictly adhering to the recommendations provided by the World Health Organization, the Government of Georgia and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia since the very beginning of spread of the virus. The health and well-being of employees, beneficiaries and partners is of prime importance for the members of our consortium. Once the risk of transmission of the virus increased, all consortium member organizations took respective measures to reduce likelihood of further spreading of the virus, more specifically: postponed international and domestic business trips of staff and experts; switched meetings and events to online mode; introduced special measures of hygiene at their offices”, - is noted in the statement. Read more…  Source: The website of the Project in a social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is closely monitoring the implementation of measures aimed at preventing and eliminating the spread of coronavirus. “The Public Defender’s Office has not yet been applied with regard to any alleged violation of rights. However, people have questions about various legal issues. That is why we want to provide the public with information about the most frequently asked questions regarding human rights standards in the current situation”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi.UNICEF publishes a blog post on a social stigma that appears in a period of pandemic. “In a period of pandemic, among other dangers there is a social stigma, that often means people are labelled, stereotyped, discriminated because of a perceived link with a disease. It's important to fight against the stigma, as it can: Drive people to hide the illness to avoid discriminati; Prevent people from seeking health care immediate; Discourage them from adopting healthy behaviours Always watch what you share.  Misconceptions, rumours and misinformation are contributing to stigma and discrimination which hamper response efforts. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in a social network

Tbilisi. On March 17, representatives of EMC and miners from Dzidziguri Shaft, located in Tkibuli, conducted a joint press conference. “Miners have been refusing to work in the shaft for several days due to hazardous work environment that exists there. EMC supports miners from the Dzidziguri shaft and calls on the state to take into account recommendations, provided through the report of audit carried out on its own request, urging to suspend coal mining activities in shafts and protect labor rights of miners until the safe working environment is provided”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge