IDPs Escaping Difficult Living Conditions and Backhanders in Kutaisi

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

IDPs leave Kutaisi little-by-little. However, leaving does not mean returning to their homes. The IDPs are escaping from difficult living conditions and an uncertain future.

“We have no normal living conditions. Water problem have not been resolved in spite of all the promises.  No one wants to listen to us. We had been sleeping on tables. Now we sleep in beds but the bed can not make up for water shortages. People are getting sick as a result of the conditions in the camps. Those who were physically healthy have become neurotic due to the situation. They have no choice but to flee from here. Some go to Tbilisi and others to their relatives. There used to be 300 IDPs in this building and now only 60-odd remain,” stated Shorena Gujejiani, an IDP.

In contrary to the wave of IDPs who had to escape from Kodori Gorge as the to the latest round of armed conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation, the representatives of Imereti regional government consider that the IDPs left Kutaisi town because the situation has been regulated in the country and not because the living conditions are so unbearable there.

Davit Aptsiauri, the head of Imereti Regional Division of the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation of Georgia stated:  “Initially there were about 1700 IDPs in Kutaisi. After having regulated the situation their number decreased significantly. Approximately 550 IDPs are now remaining for the moment in Kutaisi. However, the figures might change again by evening. Consequently it is not possible give exact figures.”

There are 7 IDPs centers in Kutaisi where are collectively housed. It turns out that they are supplied with their basic food needs by the local population. However, officially it was indicated that Kutaisi has been receiving humanitarian aid from the Red Cross and UN World Food Programm up to now and the IDPs have been regularly provided with adequate food.

„ They are receiving enough food each day. The situation might be far from perfect but it does not mean that anything  alarming has suddendly  occured. I take exception that the IDPs‘ living conditions are that bad. We must take into conisderation that the buildings they (IDPs) are living. These are educational institutions and were not intended for living from the very beginning. We distributed matrasses, plates and dishes and other household goods as well. If anyone has some pretentions then they can contact us,“ stated Davit Aptsiauri.

The IDPs from Kodori Gorge who have been sheltered in Kutaisi Automechanic College state that it it imposible to speak with Davit Aptsiauri.

„This man starts shouting and swearing the very moment we even try to talk to them. He uses foul language against both men and women. We, who have suffered so much, do not deserve swearing and being treated in such an ill manner We are not asking to bring food from their homes.... Locals are bringing food out of the goodness of their hearts and not even giving their names, and it is not for political purposes – as is other instances,“ stated the IDPs.

Bread- two loaves; pasta-one package; buckwheat- one package; fish can- one; can of meat - one; potatoes- one kg.; beans- one kg.; cucumbers- one kg.; tomatoes- one kg.; chicken thigh- 0,5 kg.; oil- 0,5 litre; onions- 0,5 kg.; butter- 450 grams and so on. These are the products the assosication Peaceful and Busy Caucasus distributed to each IDP several days ago. This information is given in a document signed by the association chairperson. It is indicated in the column for comments that the IDPs from a collective center received Imerian cheese, Matsoni, maize dandelion, coffee, tea and chocolate in addition to the abovementioned products on the Day of Saint Mariam.

Unfortunately, however, the information which is provided the document is far from reality. At least the IDPs say so. “We know that the NGOs send products generously. However, the fact is that we have not received them.  We thank those people who take our problems close to their hearts but it would be nice if the government representatives did the same thing,” state the IDPs.

The representatives of the local government state that the IDPs’ fate depends not only on humanitarian aids. They say a large amount of cargo has been brought in Imereti and in particular, in Kutaisi. Therefore, they consider that the people must not be so discontent and stop stealing the donated food products.

“We received 40 tones of cargo from our brother country Ukraine, in particular, from Sumi District. Medicines comprise half tone. This aid was enough to feed not only the IDPs in Imereti but in Racha, Kvemo Svaneti and Mestia. Local population and business persons collected provisions which cost 250, 000 GEL. The money was allocated from the local budget as well. However, there was no need for spending it as we had mobilized enough money ourselves. We spent some money from Chiatura budget in Baghdati and Zestaponi,” stated Mikheil Chogovadze, Imereti Governor.