IDPs vs Endless Problems

Lado Bichashvili, Shida Kartli

People displaced from Tskhinvali in 1990s have lived in the IDP settlement in Gori Tour Base for 24 years already. They say their cottages are in poor conditions for living and can provide expertise conclusion to confirm the fact. 139 internally displaced families live in the Tour base settlement now. 

Eka Godeladze, IDP: “Nobody has come to our settlement to conduct at least minimal cosmetic renovation of our accommodations. When we arrived here, these flats were already damaged. The entrance stairs are in poor conditions; life is getting impossible here; nobody will pay attention to us until an accident kills somebody here.”

IDPs complain about some other problems besides living conditions. They speak about hard social life and unemployment. IDPs protested the decision of the government, according to which they will no longer have allowances on electricity and natural gas bills.

Pavle Buzgiashvili, IDP: “They cancelled allowance on electricity bills but increased IDP pension that we completely spend on bills.”

IDPs residing in the hotel Kartli have same problems. They have lived here for 24 years and list of their problems is increasing yearly instead resolution.

Tinatin Kvaghinidze, IDP: “There is water in the basement of the hotel Kartli and life is difficult here. Families grew up and spaces we received 24 years ago are not enough now. The Minister promised to help and we are waiting.”

Minister of Refugees and Accommodation Sozar Subari studied problems of IDPs living in compact settlements in Shida Kartli region during two days. Having visited the sites, the Minister visited the former building of the city hospital in Tskhinvali road which is currently being rehabilitated. Sozar Subari said IDPs living in damaged buildings will be first to move in the renovated building.

Sozar Subari, Minister of IDPs and Accommodation: “The renovation of the building will finish in maximum two months and IDPs, who live in particularly poor conditions, will be first to move in here. IDPs living in wooden cottages have the hardest situation; their shelters are almost falling down. 28 families will move in this building, who live in wooden cottages; afterwards there will be 30 more free spaces, where IDPs will receive accommodations according to their ratings.”

By the end of September, part of IDPs will receive new accommodations. 62 families will move in the former building of the hospital. However, number of people, who live in unbearable conditions in the compact settlements, is higher than 62. Representatives of the Ministry said eventually every IDP family will receive accommodations.