U.S. Government Announces Release of Assistance to Georgia

May 21, 2009

John Tefft, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, announced the release of $53.3 million to assist Georgia and the Georgian people. This assistance is a critical part of the $1 billion pledge to support Georgia’s economic and reconstruction recovery. Efforts will assist internally displaced persons, rebuild infrastructure, restore economic growth and sustain investor confidence in the economy, and promote democracy and energy security.

The $53.3 million assistance package is provided through Economic Support Fund (ESF) funds appropriated by Congress through the Disaster Relief and Recovery Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Div. B, P.L. 110-329).  These funds will be used to provide programming for conflict-afflicted priority sectors including humanitarian and economic relief, supplementing a comprehensive, multi-sector program throughout Georgia.

Programs supported with ESF funds include

Good Governance, Civic Participation, and Election and Media Reform  ($20,000,000)

Funding will go to programs improving Georgia’s justice system, legislative processes, elections and political processes, civic participation and media reform.  This will include:

• Supporting dialogue and participation in democratic political processes by strengthening civil society and its links to the government, and improving civic education
• Addressing governance by working with Parliament on its oversight role, capacity, responsiveness and accountability
• Strengthening the independence of the judiciary and improving rule of law through training and appointment and disciplinary processes, and assisting in the implementation of a new criminal procedure code
• Supporting a stronger participatory democracy by working with political parties and on electoral code reform
• Improving public access to objective news and information by strengthening media production capacity and professionalism

Energy Infrastructure and Economic Stimulus ($18,135,000)

Over $10 million will go to programs that invest in modern energy infrastructure and services, helping Georgia move closer to energy security and independence.  Funding will also assist the Government of Georgia improve fiscal and monetary policy to stimulate economic growth and improve the environment for internal and external trade and investment.

Health, Education, and Social Services ($8,000,000)

Over $6 million will go directly to support Georgia’s health and healthcare sectors including programs aimed at detecting and treating tuberculosis and other public health threats, and maternal, prenatal, and pediatric care.  Additional funding will go towards education and social service programs.

Border Security, Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement Reform ($5,965,000)

Assistance will be used to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and combat terrorism.  Additional funds will be used for law enforcement restructuring and reform programs.

Humanitarian Assistance ($1,200,000)

Funding will used to replenish emergency humanitarian supply stocks that were depleted by the quick response to the August conflict, and to continue attending to the basic humanitarian needs of the new internally displaced persons.