Dimitrov Gave Objects of Consumption - Plaids, Polyethylene Bags, Sticky Tapes and Studs - to the Residents of Gogeti Village

Nino Devidze, Shida Kartli

On January 23, head of EU Delegation in Georgia Philip Dimitrov and representative of the UNHCR Simone Walken gave objects of consumption to the residents of Gogeti village located on the border line with South Ossetia.

With financial support of EU, 77 families of Gogeti village received plaids, polyethylene bags, double sticky taps and studs. However, locals say they had different needs. “Of course, we are grateful for the aid but we expected something different. Our village is located on borderline and our plots are now located on the other side of the border; now our pension and social allowance are the only income for our families. Most of all we need rehabilitation of the road. There is no school in our village and when transport does not run here, our children have to walk 4 kilometers to school. We cannot drink local water supply; to get medical assistance we have to walk 14 kilometers. They promised to resolve all our problems soon and we wait for them,” local Lela Shatirishvili said.

Local resident Tristan Shatirishvili spoke about significance of EU support for Georgia. “As you know, Georgian people are proud people. We have endured much tragedy and we are proud that we have overcome them. However, we cannot oppose such a huge neighbor like Russia regardless our efforts. We should have support from the European Union in order to overcome our 20-year-long disaster.”

Philip Dimitrov promised local population to help. “I come from the country, which was the last to join the EU and I know how difficult this way is. However, nothing happens all at once. We will do our best to give you a chance to become a member but it depends on you too because certain people might tempt you to take wrong way. Do not get deceived with their nice words like it happened in the past. If you oppose those temptations, I am sure you will have perfect result. However, as now you have concrete problems and needs, we should try to resolve them like real friends usually do.”

The aforementioned humanitarian aid was part of joint project of the EU and UNHCR that aimed to improve stability and social welfare of the residents of the ABL. In addition to that, UNHCR will give 500 lari allowance to the people with disabilities, to impoverished and large families.