Assessing the Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 on PoCs, 2020

10 Sep 2021

The goal of the research was to assess the relevance and coverage of the anti-crisis measures taken by the Government of Georgia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for Persons of Concern (PoC) – asylum-seekers, refugees, humanitarian status holders and stateless persons in Georgia.

In order to achieve research goal the following objectives were determined:

• Study the response to the social needs and the process of their delivery for PoCs caused by coronavirus in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Rustavi
• To understand whether and how the COVID prevention and response measures undertaken by the Government in Georgia have changed the protection and socio-economic situation of PoCs
• To understand the specific consequences for access to public services including healthcare, education, and for sustaining a livelihood
• To understand more about the networks, coping mechanisms and capacities within refugee communities
• To understand whether PoC are and feel safe and whether this has changed during the COVID response

In accordance with the objectives, the research methodology involved both – qualitative and quantitative – methods of sociological research. Within the quantitative research above listed beneficiaries in Tbilisi (Martkopi, Rustavi) , Kutaisi, Batumi and Rustavi were interviewed by mixed methods (face-to-face and telephone survey methods). The survey allowed us to analyze: a) how municipal services in above mentioned 4 locations have worked in relation to the PoCs and their prospects, b) how the PoCs evaluate the practice of local government communication with them; c) whether information about the need of the PoCs was collected and responded to in a timely manner; d) what challenges and shortcomings have been identified in this regard, etc. Respondents were selected using a stratified sampling method. With the cooperation between World Vision Georgia and UNHCR a list of PoCs was developed and provided to ISSA. This information was grouped by the status. Each group was a stratum for selection. A total of 4 groups/stratums were allocated: asylum-seekers, refugees, humanitarian status holders and stateless persons. According to the proportion of each group in the list, their share in the sampling was determined. Totally 212 individuals were surveyed, including 112 asylum-seekers, 52 refugees, 45 humanitarian status holders and 3 stateless persons.

Within the qualitative research focus group method was used. The focus groups were conducted in three large cities of Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. The cities were selected to ensure coverage of PoCs depending on the allocation size in this geographical area. The respondents for the focus groups were recruited by regional supervisors of the Institute for Social Studies and Analysis.

Each focus group consisted of discussion for about 2 hours, involving 8 participants, led by a moderator. The discussion followed a discussion plan/guideline agreed in advance with the respondent. Due to the condition created by the COVID-19 infection, focus groups were conducted remotely. Target groups were connected via the online platform Zoom. It should be noted that remote survey of target groups did not have negative impact on the quality of the study. Focus groups were recorded in audio-visual format, about which the survey respondents were warned in advance.

Within the qualitative study, 11 focus groups were conducted in three big cities of Georgia – Tbilisi (9), Kutaisi (1) and Batumi (1).