Georgian Refugees not in Enviable Conditions

Recent development of Georgian crisis has agitated almost every nation and individual in the world. Now the country tries to overcome the shock and get back to its normal life path. The reconstruction of the main road and the city of
Gori is promised. There are claims to build the damaged areas even better than they’ve originally been which is theoretically achievable. However, the thorniest of all issues remain the problem of the refugees, number of which progresses day by day since August the 8th.

Refugees got enormous support in the critical period. The Government has promised and will keep promising a lot. Refugees live with that hope. However, despite the deep compassion, by the time, it’s becoming apparent, that it’s hard for a whole country and each ordinary citizen to live with the lives of the refugees. With the time, emotions fade and it’s quite expected for these people to be left alone with their sorrows. Although since they’ve obtained the right to do so, citizens of Gori are gradually getting back to their homes, returning to their houses is a remote opportunity for Georgians from
South Ossetia and its neighboring villages.

According to information provided by the Ministry for the Issues of IDPs and Resettlement, number of refugees in Tbilisi by 12 PM, 23rd of August amounts to 100 048. There are 22 297 refugees registered in the regions. Total amount of refugees in the country is 122 344. There are 698 temporary shelters operating in
Tbilisi. The number of shelters reaches 57 in the regions. There are 755 refugee camps allocated in the country in total. The number of refugees is much higher in reality. Some of them were offered shelters by the relatives and were not willing to be registered.

It has to be noted that in Tbilisi, as well as in other Georgian towns, state schools and kindergartens are allocated for refugees. Temporarily, this makes impossible normal operation of these institutions. Naturally this will breed new problems in the nearest future. However, conditions of Georgian refugees are already not enviable. Refugees are given attention by numerous Georgian and foreign citizens. Georgia has received unprecedented amount of aid from the world, for which, we as a nation, are immensely grateful. However, refugees can’t withhold their problems. Most of all they are lacking funds. They do not have any revenue or state aid to use in the critical circumstances. People from the conflict area are burdened with responsibilities towards financial institutions, i.e. student loans. They ask banks to make concessions on their loans. They note that in current situation it is impossible for them to get back to their normal working routine, do not have other income sources and therefore they are unable to fulfill financial obligations taken towards educational institutions.

We do believe that there is abundance of humanitarian aid in the country, however it seems aid is not provided timely and in desired amount. Refugees lack food. Citizens that remained in Gori state that they ran out of bread and items of hygiene.
“ there are 50 old people remaining in houses at Gorki street and are unable to reach the city center in order to get aid. They urgently need food and items of personal hygiene” says a lady from Gori. She also notes that, despite few shops still open, due to the deficit and increased prices, it’s impossible to buy anything.

Refugees located in the schools and kindergartens of the capital are in similar conditions. Georgian and foreign visitors pay visits on daily basis. Refugees tell them that they are deprived, are in a need of even basic things and are grateful for any help. However, there are common things that all refugees are lacking: items of personal hygiene are on the top of the list. Medications and staple commodities follow. Obviously, this is not a luxury life; however, for those living in schools and kindergartens, being sheltered in concrete walls instead of tents is a great advantage. In the “City of
Tents” erected near the TbilisiAirport there are 600 refugees. According to State Minister for the Issues of IDPs and Resettlement, Koba Subeliani, with the help of local citizens, Georgian Government has made a maximum effort to help refugees. However, it’s apparent, that a lot of problems related to refugees are far from being resolved. Furthermore, problems are just emerging and no one knows when and how they will be solved.