Transaction Search Form: please type in any of the fields below.
Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 1:37 am
Time: 1:37 am
Results for community safety (abkhazia)
1 results foundAuthor: Institute for Democracy Title: Security for all – a challenge for Eastern Abkhazia Community perceptions of safety and security Summary: This is the third annual survey conducted in Eastern Abkhazia by the Institute for Democracy and Saferworld since 2011. The survey tracks and summarises local perceptions of safety and security, gathered in four research areas: Gal/i town and surrounding villages, Ochamchira/e and Tkvarchel/i towns and surrounding villages, Upper Gal/i, and Lower Gal/I). The methodology included a household survey conducted in January 2013 and a series of follow-up focus group discussions conducted in March 2013. This year’s results show further slight improvements in local perceptions of safety and security, suggesting that positive changes noted between surveys conducted in 2011 and 2012 represent a trend, rather than a one-off anomaly. Respondents attribute positive changes to fewer incidents relating to safety and security, a decreased threat of renewed violence, and improved infrastructure. Unemployment tops the list of communities concerns while, as in the previous year’s survey, at the regional level concerns regarding crime, extortion, presence of armed groups, and kidnappings have virtually disappeared from the list of major community problems. These positive outcomes, however, are not evenly distributed and there are considerable differences between the four research areas. The Ochamchira/e and Tkvarchel/i group and, to a lesser degree, the Gal/i town groups reported an overall improvement, while respondents in the more isolated and rural Lower Gal/i and Upper Gal/i groups are more inclined to report a worsening of their situation in comparison to the previous year. In general, respondents in Ochamchira/e and Tkvarchel/i are more concerned by access to services (e.g. electricity, potable water), than by rights issues (e.g. access to Abkhaz passports, freedom of movement), which are pressing issues for communities in Lower and Upper Gal/i, as well as in Gal/i town and surroundings, albeit to a relatively lesser degree. Upper Gal/i is the only area where the majority of respondents note a worsening of their security situation, and in Lower Gal/i more people report deterioration than improvement (although the majority felt the situation was unchanged). In both research groups these negative perceptions were related to difficulties commuting across the Ingur/i River, and closely related to that, by difficulties obtaining Abkhaz passports. Problems with crime were identified as a major community concern by respondents in Lower Gal/I. Recommendations for responding to communities’ safety and security priorities n Carefully monitor the nature, cause, and frequency of incidents of crime in Lower Gal/i and develop measures to combat crime in the area n Simplify procedures for obtaining Abkhaz passports for permanent/long-term residents in Eastern Abkhazia and improve communication about such procedures, including about legal requirements for obtaining passports and reasons for delays or failure to issue passports n Improve procedures for crossing the Ingur/i River, including by opening additional checkpoints n Increase investments into socio-economic rehabilitation of the area, particularly emphasising job creation and healthcare provision. Details: London: Saferworld, 2013. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 3, 2013 at: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/pubdocs/Security-for-all-English-version.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/pubdocs/Security-for-all-English-version.pdf Shelf Number: 129245 Keywords: Community Safety (Abkhazia)Fear of Crime |