In a joint effort, the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), have renovated outpatient clinics at Orsantia Village and Rike Village, benefiting over 5,500 people from the Samegrelo Region of Georgia. This initiative is part the larger EU4Dialogue program, which aims to support communities affected by conflict.
The refurbishment project included the installation of heating, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as improvements to interior design. The renovations were designed to increase accessibility for people with disability, ensuring inclusivity both in physical infrastructure and services.
A greater social protection promotes resilience, equality, and peaceful and sustainable development
On 18 January, high-level guests, including Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Agata Nieboj, Human Rights, Justice, and Home Affairs team leader at the Delegation for the European Union in Georgia, and Zviad Zviadadze, head of department at Georgia’s state minister’s office for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, all visited the Samegrelo Region on 18 January. The delegation, led by Maizer Nanava Deputy Mayor of Zugdidi met with local communities, including those displaced by conflict. They also assessed the ongoing healthcare initiatives.
Agata Nieboj said, “The European Union is committed in enhancing access to essential service for disadvantaged groups, including people affected by conflict or displaced and people with disabilities.” “We believe greater social protection fosters resilient, promotes equal rights, and contributes towards peaceful and sustainable development.”
Douglas Webb highlighted that healthcare projects in conflict-affected areas benefitted up to 12,000 people including 1,900 children.
“Communities along administrative boundary lines require support to fully exercise rights to basic social service, including healthcare,” said he. “UNDP is proud of its partnership with the European Union and partners on this initiative, which improves lives and livelihoods.”
The successful renovation of outpatients clinics in Orsantia, Rike and Shida Kartli villages follows an initiative similar to that in Mejvriskhevi (Shida-Kartli region), which saw a newly renovated medical facility serving around 6,000 residents. The EU and UNDP are extending their joint support to villages in Georgia to improve access to healthcare and basic service for people living along administrative boundary lines.
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EU4Dialogue – Support to Conflict Transformation in South Caucasus & Republic of Moldova is an initiative developed by the European Union & UNDP as part of the EU4Dialogue program. The project partners with local civil societies and grassroots groups in order to improve socio-economic conditions, advance gender equality and encourage youth participation, as well as facilitate the peaceful transformations of conflicts.
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