112 Can See You

Credit: UNDP Georgia, Mar 27, 2015,

Head of United Nations in Georgia - Niels Scott, 112 team and information campaign leaders salute the launch of a new service in sign language. Photo: Vladimer Valishvili/UNDP

Starting 27 March 2015, a new service for people with hearing and speech impairments is available 24/7, throughout Georgia.  The emergency hotline 112 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has launched the SMS and video call connection for those who cannot hear and speak.

“The new service will bring a significant change to the lives of people with hearing and speech impairments. It will help them to be more independent, more socially integrated. So far, such a complex service – SMS and video call together, has been only available in three European countries – Czech Republic, France and Malta,” said Giorgi Bichashvili, Head of 112, at the official launch of the service today.

The event brought together more than 100 representatives of the Government and Parliament of Georgia, civil society and international organizations, as well as direct beneficiaries of the new service.

“The new service for people with hearing and speech impairments is in line with the European Union standards and fully complies with the stated priorities of the Georgian Government and recommendations of the Public Defender of Georgia,” said Archil Talakvadze, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

112 presented detailed information about the operation of SMS and video call, including the educational videos and brochures that will be circulated across Georgia in March and April. People with hearing and speech impairments had an opportunity to register with the 112 database and test the new services right at the event.

“United Nations is proud to be part of this initiative. We will continue working for and with people with disabilities,” said Niels Scott, Head of the United Nations in Georgia. “Of all our activities this is, perhaps, the best way to help build a society where we respect each other’s rights,” he went on to say.

The new 112 service has been supported by the UNDP and Government of Sweden in close cooperation with the Union of Deaf of Georgia. The Ambassadors Sweden and United Nations took part in the information videos that spread the message through televisions and social media. 

“I hope that more institutions in Georgia will follow this example and soon public space will be fully inclusive and open for all,”said Martina Quick, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia and Armenia, at the filming session. 

Information about the 112 SMS and video call service and a registration form are available at the 112 website: WWW.112.GE.