On October 24, a training initiated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and aimed at raising awareness about persons with disability and gender-based violence was held for representatives of World Vision Georgia. The training was conducted within the framework of the joint UN programme: "Mainstreaming a disability inclusive humanitarian response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis."
"For the first time in Georgia, we use an inclusive approach as part of a humanitarian response, putting people with disability at the centre of these processes," said Nutsi Odisharia, UNFPA Programme Officer.
„In partnership with World Vision, we are conducting training for the facilitators and community mobilizers from the organization, who themselves represent refugee communities from Ukraine, Iran, Sudan... The purpose of today's training is to raise their awareness of the rights of persons with disability and to provide them with the information on how to plan and implement inclusive approaches,” she added.
Marina Menteshashvili, representative of the international non-governmental organization World Vision Georgia, notes that it is important to manage cases of persons with disability.
"Our employees - community mobilizers - represent different countries and national groups, there are also social workers and mobilizers. It is very important to raise their awareness of this issue and to enable them to properly manage each case they are responsible for, that is, to offer the beneficiaries all the services available in the country," she said.
"UNHCR welcomes the cooperation between its social partner – World Vision and sister agency – UNFPA and is delighted about the initiative to train WV colleagues on disability issues, particularly refugee community group facilitators (CGFs)," said Tea Kvirikashvili, UNHCR representative.
According to her, cooperation between UN agencies and jointly organizing activities for target groups are “key to achieving tangible progress when working with asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons and IDPs."
"As the displaced population is under the heightened risk of becoming victims of violence and abuse, it is crucial that they are provided with the necessary information about their rights and equipped with skills where to seek help. Similar applies to refugees with disabilities, representing the most vulnerable category ," noted Tea Kvirikashvili, adding that UNHCR is ready to continue cooperation with UNFPA to implement joint activities for ensuring the well-being of refugees.
The joint UN programme "Mainstreaming a disability inclusive humanitarian response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis" is being implemented by five agencies of the United Nations (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, UN Women, OHCHR) in 2023. The programme is being implemented with the support of the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD Multi-Partnership Trust Fund).
The aim of the programme is to support the implementation of Article 11 of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities, according to which: "States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.
