Final Progress Report: Food Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Conflict Affected Populations

Most internally displaced persons (IDPs) were concentrated in the capital city of Tbilisi, residing in collective centers. The World Food Programme (WFP) quickly responded to the crisis, providing immediate assistance to conflict-affected populations. Within 24 hours, the first cargoes of food assistance moved from WFP's warehouse in Tbilisi, and additional food was airlifted from WFP's humanitarian depot in Italy. WFP established three logistics hubs in Poti, Gori, and Tbilisi, with a total storage space of 5,800 square meters. The agency used commercial transport and forwarding agents to transport goods to beneficiaries. WFP also provided logistics, warehouse, and transport support to the humanitarian community, ensuring food and non-food items reached those in need. A Flash Appeal was launched on August 18, 2008, to cover the needs of conflict-affected populations for six months. In October, a revised Flash Appeal was launched to cover the needs through March 2009. With the withdrawal of Russian troops in October, over 100,000 people returned to their homes, while 30,000 remained displaced. WFP conducted an Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) in August 2008, which found that IDPs were completely dependent on aid to meet their basic needs. The assessment recommended providing complementary food or cash to purchase food, particularly during the winter months. A follow-up Food Security, Nutrition, and Agricultural Livelihoods Assessment (FSNAL) was conducted in February-March 2009, which found that food security was adequate for IDPs in collective centers, but a lack of dietary diversity was a concern. The FSNAL assessment also found that assets, such as land and harvest, were destroyed in conflict areas, resulting in losses for people returning home. Resettled families were given small land plots, but the quality and potential for agriculture varied. The assessment recommended continuing food assistance, improving small-scale agriculture, and providing tools, such as food-for-work and cash-for-work, to restore livelihoods. WFP's current project, which began in July 2009, aims to maintain adequate food consumption for IDPs and conflict-affected populations. The project includes general food distribution, direct cash transfers, food-for-work, and cash-for-work activities. The project period is from July 2009 to June 2010, with a total budget of US$5 million. The project has achieved several results, including maintaining adequate food consumption for IDPs and conflict-affected populations during the harshest winter months. The project has also helped improve beneficiaries' food consumption score and provided cash support to purchase essential items, such as food, clothing, and food/NFIs for children under 2 years old. The project has also implemented FFW and CFW activities, which have rehabilitated 540 km of roads, constructed 6,560 meters of gabions, and improved the quality of over 180 hectares of arable land. The project has also planted 800 seedlings and dug 35 water wells. Overall, the project has made significant progress in maintaining food security and restoring livelihoods for IDPs and conflict-affected populations. The project has also provided essential support to the humanitarian community, ensuring that food and non-food items reach those in need.