Dear Tamar,

I received yesterday a request for support related to COVID-19 from Abkhazia.

They got my contact details from the UN Resident Coordinator.

It is my understanding it comes after an experts meetings from both sides, organized in Gali last week – in the framework of the officially approved mechanisms.

For the time being, we’ve translated the letter and shared with our Regional Office, to check whether what they request makes sense and whether Regional Office could potentially provide some of the requested supplies.

It is also my understanding that they need test kits, but for the time being they do not know exactly the specifications for them.

However we are not going to deliver any supplies or any other assistance, without authorization from the ministry and other relevant authorities.

I will keep you informed about any further developments in this direction and please let me know if any other steps should be undertaken by us.

We have no experience of working with Abkhazia, but we included that in our BCA 2020-21, although COVID-19 could not be specifically mentioned at that time…

All our actions are closely coordinated with the UN  Resident Coordinator and other UN agencies having sub-offices in Abkhazia.

We can always have a short meeting and discuss this into more details, if needed.

Thank you and best regards,

Silviu