Conclusion

Reflecting on my initial round of fieldwork conducted ten years ago and continued for the following three, one might wonder if my observations on the IDP situation in Georgia still hold true today. I would like to address this with two main considerations. Firstly, the condition of IDPs in Georgia has remained largely unchanged, encompassing the 25 years leading up to my research, as well as the period extending from the conclusion of my study to the present day. The consistency of their circumstances is backed by both older and more recent research, which echoes the themes I identified as well, such as “vulnerability,” “isolation,” “socioeconomic instability,” and “challenges in integration.” These issues were evident in earlier studies by respected researchers (e.g., Tarkhan-Mouravi and Sumbadze 2006; Mitchneck et al. 2009; Walicki 2011; Salukvadze et al. 2013; Dunn 2012, 2014, 2018) and they persist in the very latest analyses (e.g., Russo and Zambelli 2023; Darchashvili 2023; Harris-Brandts and Sichinava 2024). This temporal span of consistent findings underscores the continued relevance of my work in capturing the current essence of IDP realities. The lack of substantial improvement for IDPs over such a prolonged duration stresses a critical point: Real progress depends on either facilitating their safe return or effectively addressing their accommodation needs. However, considering the challenges they present, both options seem unlikely to materialize in the near future.