On the border of Europe and Asia lies a country that has become a praised tourist destination during the last decade. Economy is backing up from a Soviet dead end, civil society is striving for democratization, EU cooperation has been clearly carved into local notions and project banners. An unaware tourist may think of war as long gone, however, it has left behind 290,000 internally displaced people. This number corresponds to the population of Iceland.
Together with the Department of Development and environmental studies from Palacky University in Olomouc, Czechia, we had the opportunity to go for an eleven-day field trip to Georgia as part of a development education project. It was co-funded by the Czech Development Agency (CRA – CzechAid). Apart from other visits at the offices of international institutions, nonprofits and local initiatives, we spent a day in Kutaisi city - in an organization 'Fund of Women Entrepreneurs' - founded by internally displaced people (IDPs) from Abkhazia. Very similar organization 'For Better Future' supports female social entrepreneurs among IDPs in Tserovani city and it was formed by IDPs from South Ossetia. Their target groups are people from conflict regions, people below the poverty line, and ethnic minorities. Their priority is to support women while searching for employment and becoming social entrepreneurs.
IDPs (internally displaced people) are according to the UNHCR definition 'persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border. IDPs are vulnerable to deprivation, further displacement and other protection risks, such as lack of access to basic services, family separation, sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, discrimination and harassment.” It is the responsibility of local authorities to avoid their displacement and ensure their safety.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are autonomous separatist territories of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. One must not picture them as a coherent term that describes homogeneous areas. In reality, they are ethnics with different historical development and national aim, however, they share the same role of pawns in the political game of chess. They are commonly described as Russian protectorates, which is underlined by the fact that they are de facto reliant on Russian financial injections. Nevertheless, their future objectives diverge – while the Abkhazian government is in favor of complete independence, South Ossetia strives to join Russia.
Natruli's story of fleeing home
Since Georgian society is mainly patriarchal, the 'Fund of Women Entrepreneurs' (FWE) in Kutaisi focuses on the status of women. How has the life of IDPs changed these years after the war and what work is done by the FWE? This is described by FWE project assistant, Natruli Nachkebia, who left Abkhazia in 1993 together with her husband and two children.
They lived in the capital of Abkhazia - Sokhumi. She worked for a company called 'JSC Orgtecnik' and her husband worked for the Ministry of Trade. Natruli explains the reason for leaving their home: "In October 1993, we were forced to leave our home in Sokhumi because Russian and Abkhazian combined forces conducted military operations against Georgia and because they were planning a Genocide against Georgians. We would have been victims of war, if we did not leave Abkhazia."
After fleeing, her family stayed in the capital city of Tbilisi with no income. They decided to move to Kutaisi city where they worked for two years at an IDP-founded company 'Org. Technics'. After that, she returned to Tbilisi and worked ten years for the American company 'Finca'. However, she returned to Kutaisi again and started to work for the 'Fund of Women Entrepreneurs' (FEW). Natruli often thinks about coming back, but it is not that easy: "Abkhazia causes me a lot of pain and I hope to return one day. However, I found out that our former apartment in Abkhazia was sold numerous times without us knowing."
No hope for tomorrow's day
Integration was not hard for her: "My children have Georgian nationality and they also have the status of IDPs. Although we can travel freely, they cannot return to Abkhazia." Generally, IDPs are associated with homeless people and minorities. She finds that very depressing.
The IDP situation related to living conditions is not pleasant. There are no employment opportunities, socio-economic conditions are inefficient, and the integration process is very slow. These people have no hope for tomorrow's day. IDPs cannot return home because the state cannot ensure their safety. Additionally, the Abkhazian authorities forbid their return.
This was one of the reasons why a non-profit charity organization 'Fund of Women Entrepreneurs' (FEW) was founded on in July 2003. But it also means that FEW has worked with people from migration waves before Russian-Georgian war in 2008. Natruli talks about the location of FEW office: "Our office is located in Kutaisi (Imereti region). IDPs were forced to migrate from Abkhazia and they stayed in regions that were under Georgian jurisdiction, hoping that they would return soon. However, they could not return 26 years. FEW uses the knowledge and experience of IDPs, as well as local residents."
FEW: a mission to help people with the same fate
One of FWE's main objectives and projects is called 'Step by Step to a Better Future', meaning that they work on the integration and rehabilitation process of people who are in conflict with the law. They do this through psychological and legal advice, informal education, and requalification courses. Natruli describes another FEW project: "Another of our objectives and projects is the 'Education and Rehabilitation center FEW'. The center's purpose is to serve as a facility for women who are victims of violence or are in harm. We offer psychological and legal services and assistance with employment search."
The Georgian government reacts very insufficiently. The FWE often substitutes the role of the state – FWE offers support with finding jobs and we help with the integration process. But it does not have any impact on Natruli's work.
This project assistant feels proud about her job for FEW: "I gained a lot of experience through work with different social groups. On a daily basis I listen to many stories from female IDPs – very similar to mine or even worse. So I consider my work as a mission to help people with the same fate as I had."
Written by: Anna Lodinova, the Department of Development and Environmental Studies of Palacky University in Olomouc, Czechia Photo: the Department of Development and Environmental Studies of Palacky University in Olomouc Note: The article, as well as the entire field trip to Georgia is a part of the development education project 'Development Cooperation First Hand', supported by the Czech Development Agency (CRA - CzechAid).