Settlement programme for refugees from Ukraine stopped in Tbilisi

Since August 1, the programme of the Tbilisi Mayoralty for providing refugees from Ukraine with housing and foodstuffs has ceased to operate; within the coming three months, they will receive cash benefits. This caused opposition's criticism, which stated that it's impossible to rent housing in the Georgian capital for this money, and called on citizens to help refugees.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since the start of the special operation in Ukraine, actions in support of this country's citizens have been held in Tbilisi and other cities of Georgia. In particular, several charity actions were held in Tbilisi to collect humanitarian aid for Ukrainian citizens. In Tbilisi, the refugees were accommodated in hotels at the expense of the Mayoralty.

Now, the Mayoralty has posted a message on its official website that the programme for providing refugees from Ukraine with free housing and food is over. For these purposes, a total of 14 million laris (about USD 4.9 million) were spent from the city budget.

The Mayoralty refers to the decision of the Georgian government, according to which, starting from July 15, a socio-economic support programme was launched for Ukrainian citizens living in Georgia, under which, instead of the free accommodation, they will be given during three months 300 laris (about USD 105) per family and 45 laris (about USD 16) – for each family member.

Elene Khoshtariya, the leader of the "Droa" Party, has reacted to the completion of the accommodation programme for Ukrainian refugees in hotels and called on the society and the business sector to help refugees. She has treated the eviction of refugees from hotels and houses as a shame for Georgia, since it is almost impossible to rent housing in Tbilisi for the money paid. She called on residents of the country to help refugees.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 2, 2022 at 04:50 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.