Eco-Migrants from Tsalka Left Homeless

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara

Several days ago, eco-migrants returned to Adjara from Tsalka by 16 mini-buses. Years ago they were resettled to Tsalka from Khulo and Shuakhevi districts because of natural disaster. The houses they were settled in in Tsalka district were not registered on them. Owners of those houses had moved to Greece years ago. However, the owners now returned from Greece and got their houses back. Homeless eco-migrants again appealed to Adjara government for help. They have been holding assemblies in front of the government office for two days. Representatives of the Adjara government state they cannot give accommodations to these people.

“They expelled us from homes. Currently 200 families were evicted; about 1000 more families will be evicted by the end of August,” eco-migrant Mevlud Vashakmadze said.

Several days ago, members of Adjara government met part of eco-migrants. The meeting lasted two hours but finished without any results for eco-migrants. Some of them even left the meeting in protest.

“These people could not promise us to give a shelter; they cannot assist us and why should I stay at the meeting,” eco-migrant Temur Mgeladze said.

“I have left the meeting dissatisfied. We had to live in unbearable conditions during many years. Now, I am completely homeless,” eco-migrant Amiran Saginadze said.

Head of nongovernmental organization Borjgalo Tsiala Katamadze also attended the meeting.

“A lot of problems accumulated in Georgia in the process of eco-migration; these problems shall be immediately resolved. First of all, the legislation shall be amended; relevant amendments must be introduced which will regulate the status of eco-migrants and after that the strategy will be developed,” Tsiala Katamadze said.

Head of the department for economic and social analysis at Adjara government Koba Chkheidze said their government will try to communicate Tsalka district administration to resolve the problems.

Eco-migrants are not going to dismiss assembly before their problems are not resolved.