ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was written between June 2001 and January of 2002. The topic selected in this NHDR originated from several round tables and meetings held with local and international experts. The NHDR team comprised a number of people who contributed background information, comments and analysis. Levan Jamburia and Guram Mirzashvili provided invaluable expertise in exploring determinants of poverty and cluster analysis. This report owes much to their work, professionalism and dedication. Alexander Tvalchrelidze continued his collaboration with the NHDR and participated in the development of the poverty profile and poverty lines. I am thankful to Rezo Takadze at the State Department of Statistics who provided much assistance in data collection. I am also in debt to the staff of the Food Security Situation at the State Department of Statistics, the Georgian Economic Trends, and GORBI for their kind sharing of data. Many others also helped generously with opinions, information, and logistic support. The comments and corrections from Nato Alhazishvili, Kaarina Immonen and Lance Clark from UNDP, and Mr. Shiva Kumar from UNICEF greatly improved the report. Nino Sharvashidze translated text into Georgian while Leila Dididze did the Georgian editing of the NHDR. Nancy Archer edited the English version. The cover design is by Mikheil Kochakidze. Tatuka Japaridze provided the pictures for the cover page.

This report is intended to encourage discussion about poverty in Georgia rather than provide definite statements. I am thankful to UNDP for the freedom of work given to all of us involved in preparing this NHDR. Opinions expressed are those of the author and contributors, and are not official UNDP views.

On behalf of the NHDR team,

Gabriel Labbate

Team Leader, NHDR 2001/2
E-mail: Gabriel.Labbate@att.net