Categories
Journalistic Survey
Articles
Reportage
Analitic
Photo Reportage
Exclusive
Interview
Foreign Media about Georgia
Editorial
Position
Reader's opinion
Blog
Themes
Children's Rights
Women's Rights
Justice
Refugees/IDPs
Minorities
Media
Army
Health
Corruption
Elections
Education
Penitentiary
Religion
Others

The Population of Ganmukhuri Asks for Aid

January 10, 2006

The Population of Ganmukhuri Asks for Aid

More than three hundred inhabitants of village Ganmukhuri, in the Zugdidi region, blocked the central bridge, which connects to Abkhazia, to hold a protest. The protesters demanded an immediate evacuation of four families, living on the bank of the river Enguri, and payment of compensation for the inhabitants of the village.

The administration of the village says that the budget is too low to solve this problem. However, they admit that the problems are worthy of attention. After three hours passengers driving from Abkhazia by bus requested passage, and the protesters opened the bridge. However, they threaten permanent protests if their demands are not met.

Jonnie Mishvelia, the representative of the village administration stated: “The situation in the regions where the rivers Enguri and Jumi connect are terrible. With the budget of our village, the construction of flood walls is impossible. Last year, we asked the administration for monetary aid amounting to 2000 GEL (almost 1200 USD) for the rebuilding the canal, which has since been washed away. These problems exist at Electric Station of Enguri as well, where the ground is disbanded.”

The village of Gunmukhuri is located on border between Georgia and the region of Abkhazia. Almost every transport bound for Abkhazia must pass through this village. Mud slides have regularly appeared in this region for over five years, and the no work has been done on the rebuilding of the walls within the past 15 years. The water has already damaged more than 50 meters of ground in two private yards.

The house of Mediko Akhalaia is located 15 meters from the riverbank. He is one of the waters’ victims. “Every night my handicapped son and I must go to neighbor’s home to sleep. In case of mud-slide, I would not be able to take away him from the wracks. I asked for compensation, for I cannot live at my neighbor’s all the time, or in the open air.”

The family of Gamisonia is in the same situation. The natural disasters have damaged their garden. “Our house is filling with the water even in intermittent rain. If the channels are not rebuilt, your neighbors will be in the same situation.”

The population of Ganmukhuri is pleading with the government for aid. But it is still unknown how the government can calm the river Enguri. Moreover, specialists say that reconstruction of the channels will cost more than 120 000 GEL (approximately 65 thousand USD).

Maya Gubeladze from Zugdidi

News