Is Family of a Lost Person Due to Be Granted Pension

In autumn, 1993 after Abkhazians and their supporters had invaded the Gali District; Murtaz Okujava disappeared from the village of Fichori.  The family was looking for him for five years in vain. Murtaz Okujava’s wife, Marika Shengelia initially had information that her husband was Abkhazians’ hostage for a month, but then the family lost his track.  Ms. M. Shengelia has applied to all instances for help in vain. Nobody had exact information about her husband.

Marika Shengelia has three littlie children, a son and two daughters (the youngest was of 8 months while her father disappeared). She was given a shelter by different Governmental bodies for a long time. A year ago, the Princess Veronika Miurat helped her and now she and her children have a shelter, however it is not their property. (Ms. Marika also takes care of a little paralyzed girl Lika Lasharia. She has no relatives except this family. Even her grandmother could not take care of her; as for the mother she has never seen her child.)  

Ms. M. Shengelia says she has applied to different bodies demanding a pension, however she received the same answer everywhere-pension can not be granted to the families with a lost member. The family living on 11 GEL-allowance now applies to Non-Governmental Organizations for help.

Nato Berulava, Zugdidi