Hygiene Catastrophe in Gori IDP Camps

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori

IDPs residing in the tents in Gori complain about the pending hygiene crisis. They have neither soap, nor shampoo, nor hot water…People who escaped bullets now face a public health crisis and possible epidemics.

Polish doctors have set up separate tents at the entrance to the Tent Town where three Polish doctors of different specializations are providing free medical treatment for people.

“Many IDPs complain of some diseases of bowels, and this is especially the problem with children. It is not excluded that their problems started because of poor or contaminated food or water. However, we think that the overall poor level of nutrition for IDP is the main culprit. Many people are complaining about the cold because it is cold in the tents at night,” said one of the doctors.

The Human Rights Center interviewed several IDPs and the respondents are tired of talking and want to see action on the part of authorities. They are talking about the same problems over and over and nobody is taking action to resolve their main issues.

“How many times should you come and interview us? You, journalists are already bothering us. Go and ask why they do not give us bowls and buckets to fetch water. The only answer that we get is that they have no more. How much longer can it continue like this – and let them take us home and share with us some of their extra things. I will share them in turn with other IDPs! What kinds of people are representing us in our government? They can find money for everything else that is nonsense but they do not want to spend money on bowls and buckets that cost only 2 GEL. If they buy it, I promise I will not take them home,” said a woman from the village of Ergneti who returned from the queue for assistance very irritated.

Arina Tavakarashvili, the head of local organization of the Multinational Georgia, stated that many people in tents complain about the lack of hygiene items. “We assist them as we can but many people live here and such small groups like we are cannot supply all of them,” she said.

We visited several kindergartens where IDPs are also living. People from the villages of Dvani, Nikozi, Meghvrekisi, Shertuli and other villages live in kindergarten # 10.

Manana Gogoladze, from Dvani: “I live here with my little children. My husband died long time ago. My neighbors went to our village two days ago and saw what situation is there. Houses are being looted; several houses have been burned to the ground. Only old people are still remaining behind. Those who still have cows try to sell because Ossetian looters are coming into the village at night and rustling our cattle.

I cannot live there with my children. The bus runs until the village of Takhtisdziri and after that you have to walk. I also visited my house and immediately went back. Here in the camps the living conditions are getting worse and even the kindergarten does not have windows. The window glasses were smashed during the bombardment. It becomes very cold during the night. As for hygiene we do not have soap to even wash at our hands. How can we complain about other hygiene items when we don’t even have the basics?”

Imedi Kapanadze from Nikozi: “They supply us mostly with bread and an Italian NGO provides hot food. However, it happens once a day. Lately, the Georgian Patriarchate sent us bread, potato and buckwheat. We have also been provided with Turkish macaroni as well. We appreciate having food but we are wearing the same clothes already now for one month. We are not living as humans as we have no hygiene conditions. We do not have even a saucepan. Just imagine how we eat from children’s plate at this kindergarten.”