Majority of earthquakes are mild, however, some of them cause destruction and even casualties. As soon as you feel the earthquake, see shaking chandelier and falling objects, or hear the sound of breaking glass, remember – you have 15-20 seconds before the building collapses. 

 During earthquake:

• Keep calm;
• Do not leave the building;
• Do not use an elevator or staircase;
• Stand in the safe place (in the corner of inner walls);
• Drop under the bed or table;
• Do not stand near the window, glass furniture, partitions, under the chandelier;
• Do not use matches – there is a risk of gas leakage and fires may occur.

 After the earthquake:

• Immediately leave the building and attempt to move to an open space;
• Be careful when descending the stairs, make sure the stairs are safe;
• Stay away from the buildings, bridges, power lines, hanging balconies;
• Follow the instructions of the local government and the emergency services;
• Ensure the safety of the children, elderly and the sick;
• 2-3 hours after the earthquake, do not enter the building unless it is an absolute necessity;

 
After returning inside the building:

• In case of damage, turn off the electricity, shut off the natural gas/water pipeline and report the accident to the relevant services;
• Do not drink water from tap or well without prior inspection from the sanitary-epidemiological service;
• Carefully open cupboard and pantry doors to prevent heavy objects from falling off;

 Remember!!!

• You reside in the seismically active area!
• Earthquakes are often followed by mild shock waves that can continue for days, even months;
• Weak shock waves can destruct the buildings that have been damaged during the earthquake.

Sudden rise in water level due to heavy rainfall, intense snowmelt or any other reason.

During flood:

• Turn off the gas stove and electrical appliances
• When in water, try to remove heavy clothing and footwear and swim to a dry area;
• Beware of objects floating on the surface of the water to avoid injury;
• Promptly climb on the tree, go up on the roof, or top floors of the building
• Continuously transmit a distress message / signal with the display of a well-visible piece of fabric attached to a stick; use a light signal in the dark;

 After flood:

• Before entering the building make sure there is no threat of building collapsing;
• Ventilate the building! Do not light the matches prior to the inspection of gas supply system;
• Do not switch on the electricity, do not use electric appliances until you make sure that they are dried well;
• Check water-pipes, sewage;
• Do not consume water without boiling and food that could have been contaminated by the water;

 In case of frequent threat of flood:

• Explore and remember the possible boundaries of flooding;
• Find elevated places that are rarely flooded and explore the shortest access routes to these places;
• Introduce family members to the rules of behavior and evacuation during floods;
• Remember – boat and raft storage areas;
• Make a list of items to be taken with you during the evacuation (medicines, water, food, warm clothes, backpack, etc.);

During fire:

• Immediately call 112;
• Keep calm!
• Firmly close the doors and windows – you can stop the spread of fire from the rooms for 10-15 minutes (Air circulation enhances the combustion process)
• Do not spill water on operating electrical appliances;
• Carefully check the door handle (if hot – there is a fire behind the door);
• Do not use the elevator;
• If you are unable to get out of the apartment – wet the doors, walls, floors often to stop the fire spread as much as possible before the arrival of the fire brigade;
• Do not enter the smoky areas where the visibility is less than 10 meters (taking even a few breaths can be fatal);
• Smoke accumulates at human height or higher, so duck down (the air temperature near the floor is lower and there is more oxygen);
• Cover the nose and mouth with a multi-layered wet cotton or linen cloth;

 
If fire spreads to clothing:

• Do not run! This will enhance the fire;
• Quickly remove the clothing; if this is not possible, lie down and try to extinguish the fire by rolling on the ground (if a person is standing, the fire spreads vertically towards the face, hair and damages the respiratory organs).
• If you happen to be nearby forest fire:
• Immediately call 112;
• Move fast, from the danger zone in the opposite direction of fire spread;

 
After leaving the fire zone:

• Inform the local population and relevant services about the location, scale and nature of the fire.
• If it is impossible to escape the fire, enter the water tank or cover yourself with wet clothes;
• Cover your face with a cotton-gauze mask or cloth;

Movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.

Landslide warning signs:

• Sticking doors and windows;
• Cracks or unusual bulges in the ground
• Springs, seeps, or saturated ground in areas prone to landslide hazards

During landslide:

• Upon receiving the alarm signal – turn off stove, electric appliances, water pipes and go to a safe place immediately.
• Bring all necessary items with you (documents, valued belongings) and warm clothing and food based on the instructions of the relevant units;

 
After the landslide:

• Check the condition of walls and roofs in the undamaged buildings;
• Check the operation of electricity, natural gas and water supply networks;
• Assist rescuers in rescuing people in distress and providing first aid.

If you are in a building:

• Whenever possible, seek a shelter in a basement, a covered shed etc.
• If you are unable to leave the building, do not stand near the window;
• Find a safe place: near the walls of internal storage units, in a built-in closet, bathroom, pantry, under the table;
• Turn off the gas stove and electrical appliances, put out the fire in the oven;
• Use flashlights at night;

 
If you are in a street:

• Do not stand near buildings, structures, bridges, viaduct, power lines, towers, trees, rivers, lakes;
• Use any means to protect against wind-blown fragments and glass debris: plywood, cardboard and plastic boxes, planks, etc.;
• Try to quickly cover yourself in a basement, pit, ditch, narrow ravine and stay close to the ground;
• Do not enter the damaged building as it may collapse;
• Protect face with gauze bandage, cloth, clothes;

Large volumes of debris generated as a result of erosion in flood-prone areas will turn into mud streams due to water saturation and liquefaction. Such streams have destructive power that threatens populated areas, destroys or severely damages infrastructure;

Usually, places prone to mudflows are known in advance, so before traveling to the mountains, explore these areas along the route of your movement to avoid them, especially after heavy rains;

During the mudflow:

• As soon as you receive a warning signal or if you hear a thunder-like sound, with the murmur of foamy water that resembles the sound of impending high-speed train, it is essential:
• To evacuate to a safe place;
• Immediately climb 50-100 meters above the lowlands (keep in mind that heavy stones can be sprouted from the stream, which may endanger human life);
• During pre-evacuation, turn off electricity, gas and water before leaving the apartment; Close doors and windows and ventilation pipes tightly.

 
After the mudflow:

• Follow the instructions of the relevant services;
• Assist the victims and rescue teams who are clearing blockages on the mudflow-affected area

Due to the high concentration of chemicals in accidents of a chemical nature, it is possible to cause massive damage to people – in a relatively short time, so it is crucial to take protective measures promptly.

Measures include:

• Use of personal protective equipment and shelters operating in complete isolation;
• Use of skin care products;
• Evacuation of people from dangerous zones;
• Sanitary treatment of people;
• Sanitary treatment of the area, buildings, transport, equipment;

In the event of a chemical accident:

• Put on a gas mask, or any tissue and leave the area while periodically restraining breathing;
• Lock doors, windows;
• Turn off electricity, gas etc.;
• Pick up essentials, food and obey the evacuation plan;

When moving in a contaminated environment:

• Move fast, but do not run to avoid the formation of dust;
• Do not touch buildings and foreign objects;
• Do not step on liquid droplets or powdery residue;
• Act on the recommendations issued by the relevant services;

Domestic violence is form of abuse committed by one member of a family towards another. Domestic violence is one of the most serious and widespread occasion around the world, including Georgia.
Family members are: mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, spouse, child (stepchild), adopted child, foster child, adoptive parent, spouse of adoptive parent, foster family (foster mother, foster father), grandchild, sister, brother, parents of a spouse, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, former spouse, persons who are in a non-registered marriage and members of their families, guardians, custodian, supporter, also any other person who permanently have or had common household.
Abuser is a family member who commits physical, psychological, economic, sexual violence or coercion towards another family member or/and neglects legal interests of a minor.

Victim is a family member who suffered from physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence or coercion and also a minor whose legal interests are neglected.

Domestic violence most frequently appears towards women and children!

Physical violence
Beating, torture, damage to health, illegal deprivation of liberty or any other action that causes physical pain or suffering.

Psychological violence
Offence, blackmailing, humiliation, threats, or any other action that violates a person’s honor and dignity.

Sexual Violence
Sexual act or other acts of sexual nature by violence or threat of violence; sexual act or other acts of sexual nature with a person up to 16 years.

Economic Violence
Deliberately causing restriction of the right to have food, dwelling, to enjoy labor rights, to use common property.

Coercion
Compelling a person by using physical or psychological force to carry out or fail to carry out an act, carrying out or refraining from which is the right of that person, or making a person tolerate an action carried out against his/her will.

Negligence of legal interests of a minor
Failure of a parent (parents), other legal representative or/and other responsible persons to satisfy physical and psychological needs of a juvenile, protection from threat, limiting the right to receive basic education, failure to perform necessary measures for registration of birth, medical and other services in case when parent (parents), other legal representative or/and other responsible persons have relevant information, ability and access towards the relevant services.

To fight against the domestic violence is obligation of each citizen because it touches everybody. It is mandatory to eliminate domestic violence and it is important for everybody to participate in this process.

In case of domestic violence:

• Call emergency center 112;
• Inform district inspector/officer or apply to court;
• Request restraining or protective order;

For consultation call 24 hours hotline number – 116006 (24/7). (You can stay anonymous).

How abuser is punished

According to Georgian legislation, violence towards one family member by another, systematic abuse, blackmailing, humiliation, threats that results in physical pain or/and torture is crime under criminal law for which abuser may be punished by:

• Imprisonment;
• Community service;
• Restrictions for carrying a weapon.

Restraining order
Restraining order is issued by the police officer for up to one month period and enters legal force upon its issuing.
Restraining order prohibits certain actions of abuser – approaching to a victim, carrying a weapon, sole use of joint property and etc.
Failure to fulfil the order conditions is punished by the Law.

Protective order
Protective order is issued by the court and the following people are authorized to apply to the court: victim/alleged victim and his/her family member or a person providing medical, legal, psychological assistance to a victim based on the consent of a victim. The state service of guardianship and custody is also authorized to apply to a court in case of violence against a minor.
Order prohibits certain actions of abuser – approaching to a victim, carrying a weapon, sole use of joint property and etc.
Failure to fulfil the order conditions is punished by the Law.
The application on issuing protective order shall be heard by the court within 10 days (from the date the application is registered at the court).
The term of protective order can be up to 6 months.

Shelter
There are 5 shelters for the victims of violence throughout the country: Tbilisi, Gori, Signagi, Kutaisi and Batumi.
Victims of domestic violence and their children are provided with temporary accommodation, which includes: meals, hygiene and other means of personal care.
The shelter provides free of charge the following services for victims and their children:

• Psychological assistance;
• Organization/receipt of medical care
• Legal aid (legal consultation, advocacy, court representation and representation at law-enforcement institutions)
• In case of need interpreter’s services

Crisis centers
There are 5 crisis centers in Georgia: Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi, Ozurgeti and Marneuli.
Crisis center provides following services for free of charge to victims/alleged victims:

• Psychological-social rehabilitation/assistance
• Organization/receipt of medical services
• Legal aid (legal consultation, advocacy)
• Need consultation, advocacy services

Tbilisi Crisis Center provides alleged victims of violence (with their children) with accommodation, which includes food, means of hygiene and first aid kit;

The services at the crisis center are provided daily from 09:00 am to 6 pm, except for weekends and other public holidays prescribed by the Georgian legislation. In case victim/alleged victim requires the services of 24 hours residence than the victim is referred to the shelter under the supervision of the fund and alleged victim is referred to Tbilisi crisis center for services of victims of violence

The addresses of crisis centers are:

• Tbilisi Crisis Center for Victims of Violence: Tbilisi; Budapeshti Street #28;
• Kutaisi Crisis Center for Victims of Violence: Kutaisi; Dumbadze Street # 59-61;
• Gori Crisis Center for Victims of Violence: Gor, Barnovi Strett #9a;
• Ozurgeti Crisis Center for Victims of Violence: Ozurgeti, Griboedovi Street #21; apt. #1;
• Marneuli Crisis Center for Victims of Violence: Marneuli; Rustaveli Street #41; apt#48.

Nationwide domestic violence hotline to assist victims of domestic violence – 116 006 – provides telephone consultations for the victims of violence against women and domestic violence.
The service is provided for 24 hours, it is free of charge and anonymous.
The advice can be received in 8 languages: Georgian, English, Russian, Azerbaijani, Turkish, Armenian, Arabic, Persian