Abkhazia
Casualties and Victim Assistance
Casualty Overview
HALO Trust reported that there were no mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties in Abkhazia in 2013.[1] The last casualties occurred in 2010, when HALO reported three mine/ERW casualties.[2]
From 1992 through the end of 2014, HALO recorded 706 mine/ERW casualties (158 killed; 548 injured) including over 400 civilians. The data was not considered to be comprehensive.
The ICRC launched a mine/ERW data collection and needs assessment project in Abkhazia in 2011. With ICRC support, data collection continued in Abkhazia in 2013.[3] In total, 684 survivors were visited through the project and their needs collected.[4] In 2013, a football match for amputees including mine/ERW victims was organized by the ICRC in Abkhazia to mark the International Day of Disability.[5]
HALO shared casualty data with Abkhazia’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and with the local disabled persons’ organization Association of Invalid Support (Association Inva-Sodeistvie, AIS) to improve the planning of services.[6]
There was no specific victim assistance coordination in Abkhazia. The needs of mine/ERW survivors are included in the broader services for persons with disabilities.
[1] Emails from Andrew Moore, Caucasus & Balkans Desk Officer, HALO Trust, 8 July 2014.
[2] HALO casualty data provided by email from Ismet Zade, Deputy Program Manager, HALO, 15 March 2011; response to Monitor questionnaire by HALO, 4 March 2011; and email from Andrew Moore, HALO, 26 September 2012. In September 2011, an adult male was injured while trying to open the shell of a grenade launcher in an abandoned garage in Sukhumi. “Explosion in Sukhumi: grenade launcher shell explodes,” Expert Club, 6 September 2011. This casualty was not included in the data for 2011.
[3] Email from Herbi Elmazi, Regional Weapon Contamination Advisor, Regional Delegation for the Russian Federation, ICRC, 25 July 2014.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Email from Elena Kuvichko, Board Member, AIS, 4 April 2011.