Civil Coalition for Issues of Migration Requests the Protection of Rights of Sufferers of Natural Disaster

The Civil Coalition for Issues of Migration calls on the authoritative bodies to develop a common action plan for the displaced persons and other sufferers of natural disaster.

The scopes of natural disaster have drastically increased in the recent period. As a result of the latest developments, 4 people died and 2 got lost. The economic loss exceeded 10 million GEL.

According to the official data of the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Refugees and Accommodation, 35 204 suffered families are registered in Georgia as a result of natural disasters. The damage caused by the landslides and floods has amounted to two billion dollars since 1995. The number of sufferers of the natural disaster reaches 400 for the recent years. Besides, the most part of the state territory (approximately 70 %) includes landslide risk zones.

According to the official data, the lives of more than 11 000 families are in danger. Their houses are officially assessed to be either destroyed, useless for life or impossible to restore.

At this stage there is no common strategy for the protection of rights of displaced people and other sufferers of the natural disaster. Besides, the risks are not assessed and the preventive measures are not taken.

Despite numerous research and recommendations, the government does not try to use more finances and other resources for the prevention of natural disasters in Georgia or for the comprehensive eradication of the damage inflicted.

Coalition for Issues of Migration calls on the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories and other authoritative bodies to take all necessary measures for the actualization of natural processes and other environmental problems and conduct the relevant measures to ensure the timely help for the sufferers.

Coalition for Issues of Migration unites the following NGOs:

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network; Tbilisi Human Rights Housel; Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR); Article 42 of Constitution; Human Rights Center; Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA); International Center for Conflicts and Negotiations (ICCN) and the Association of Regional Broadcasters of Georgia.