Executive Summary
This research was undertaken in eight countries that are currently experiencing or have experienced armed conflict or other situations of armed violence. The aim was to develop a better understanding of people's needs and expectations, to gather views and opinions, and to give a voice to those who have been adversely affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.
The eight country opinion surveys will be complemented by more in-depth research (qualitative survey).
This research has been commissioned by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) within the framework of the Our world. Your move. campaign. Launched in 2009, the campaign's goal is to draw public attention to the vulnerability and ongoing suffering of people around the world. The intention is to emphasise the importance of humanitarian action and to convince individuals that they have the ability to make a difference and reduce suffering.
2009 is an important year for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement with three significant anniversaries (the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino, the 90th anniversary of the founding of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions).
In 1999, the ICRC undertook a similar survey entitled People on War, which serves as a basis for comparison and as a means of highlighting trends in opinions 10 years on.
In Georgia, 300 interviews were conducted with Georgians from a range of areas (excluding Abkhazia and South Ossetia), referred to as 'the resident population' in this report.
A further 200 interviews were conducted with internally displaced persons (IDPs) displaced from either Abkhazia or Shida Kartli (part of the disputed South Ossetia region - no interviews were conducted in Abkhazia or Shida Kartli), referred to as 'IDPs' in this report.
The Impact of Armed Conflict
Forms of Violence/Suffering and their Consequences
All IDPs have personal experience of armed conflict in Georgia. Around a quarter of the resident population surveyed have been affected in some way by armed conflict there. Those with direct personal experience make up 10% of the resident population, and others also report suffering a range of serious hardships. In total, 26% of the resident population have been affected in some way - either personally or due to the wider consequences of armed conflict. For both groups – IDPs and the resident population - there have been two key periods of such experiences: within the last year, and 10-19 years ago.
In the process of fleeing their homes, almost all IDPs lost all their belongings (99%) and saw their property seriously damaged (91%) or looted (93%). Most lost contact with a close relative (70%) and had restricted access to health care (70%) and basic necessities (67%).
