Rehabilitation of Telecommunication Infrastructure in Abkhazia, Georgia and Adjacent Regions of Georgia

GEO-01-005
Total budget: USD 300,000
UNDP Sector: Telecommunications

Background:

Conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, which erupted in August 1992, has caused major material, physical and human damage manifested in the destruction of physical and social infrastructure coupled with the displacement of thousands of people within and outside Georgia. Despite the ongoing efforts of humanitarian organizations the consequences of unresolved conflicts remain dire.

Much of the infrastructure suffered extensive damage during the conflict and continues to deteriorate. Reconstruction of these assets requires a joint effort of both parties to the conflict with the assistance of international community. Until now no action has been taken for systematic rehabilitation of the infrastructure.

Objective:

The main objective of the project is to contribute to confidence-building between Abkhaz authorities and the Government of Georgia through improvement of telecommunications in both Abkhazia, Georgia and adjacent regions in Georgia proper. This objective will be met through rehabilitation of telecommunications in Abkhazia, Georgia, IDP settlements in Zugdidi and through the improvement of transmission of TV and radio programmes in Zugdidi and mountain regions of Svaneti. In addition capacity to maintain the rehabilitation facilities will be built.

Strategy:

The project was proposed and prepared by UNDP in the framework of the Coordinating Council under the chairmanship of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG), which is the main instrument of the UN-led peace process. The overall process is managed by UNDP through the Permanent Georgian-Abkhaz Working Group under the auspices of the Georgian-Abkhaz Coordinating Commission. A group of technical experts, comprising of Georgian and Abkhaz specialists prepares the detailed technical requirements for works to be implemented within the framework of the project.

The project, fully funded by the grant of the Government of Germany is implemented in two phases. Phase one comprised the period from end November till end February, while the activities envisaged in the second phase will be implemented before the end of the year 2002.

Expected outputs:

Upon completion of the project, it is expected that selected telecommunications infrastructure in Abkhazia, Georgia and adjacent region of Georgia proper is rehabilitated, which will, inter alia allow for improved communications to the benefit of displaced persons and returnees on both sides of the cease-fire line. In addition, TV and radio transmission is improved in Svaneti; capacity is in place to maintain the telecommunications facilities after the completion of the rehabilitation works.

The expected outputs of the project are:

• Rehabilitated telephone infrastructure in Abkhazia, Georgia, including installation of mini ATS, CODAN equipment and main cables;

• Rehabilitated telephone infrastructure in adjacent territories in Georgia proper including the restoration of telephone links between Zugdidi towards Gali;

• Improvement of TV and Radio transmission in mountainous Svaneti and Zugdidi.