IDP Family from Zardiaantkari Again Was Left Homeless

Lado Bitchashvili, Shida Kartli

On November 29, a fire broke out in the Gori kindergarten N 1 in the part of the building where several IDP families from Zardiaantkari village are living; Zardiaantkari is located close to the occupation line.

The fire completely destroyed accommodation of the Taziashvilis who are internally displaced family from Zardiaantkari village during 2008 Russia-Georgia war. They had lived in the building of the kindergarten for 7 years.

“Everything was destroyed; we could not save our properties. I have to petition to the district administration to give alternative accommodation; we can no longer live here. We were not in the building during the fire; we were at our relatives and the neighbors informed us about it,” Mzia Taziashvili said.

“It is fifth time that I have to start life from the beginning; whatever we managed to buy since 2008 was now destroyed. I urge the government for help,” Davit Taziashvili said.

IDPs live in one part of the building and kindergarten is functioning in another one. Kindergarten director Lali Baiadze said it is already fourth fire in the building for the past 5 years. 

“In all four cases the fire started in that part of the building. Fire brigade timely arrived on the site and combated spread of the fire in the entire building,” Baiadze said. 

Single mandate deputy of the municipal council from Verkhvebi-Kvernaki settlement in Gori Tamar Tedliashvili visited the Taziashvilis.

“These people, who are sheltering the kindergarten building, are not against going back to their villages and the government shall work to create adequate living conditions in their villages for them,” Tamar Tedliashvili said.

Big part of the houses was burnt in Zardiaantkari village during the war. Locals had to flee from the village and the authority settled them in the kindergarten building. Representatives of the Gori municipal board state they do not have enough funds to rehabilitate destroyed and burnt houses in the conflict affected villages.

As for the Taziashvili’s request about alternative accommodation, the Gori City Hall representatives said after the reasons of the fire are estimated, they will make decision. Seven family members of the Taziashvilis live at their relatives’ house now.