West Georgia Flood Victims Still Waiting for Promised Presidential Aid

When they hit the first week of October, record floods and landslides that devastated the regions of Guria, Samegrelo, and the Adjara Autonomous Republic captivated the mass media and prompted an outpouring of public support. President Mikheil Saakashvili traveled to the affected regions on October 8 and pledged 5,000 lari ($2,788) to each family who suffered during the flooding. The president also called for the government to spend a separate $22-$27 million on infrastructure and economic rehabilitation projects in Guria alone.

In an impassioned October 10 speech to the Georgian cabinet, the president personally guaranteed his promises to Guria, one of the worst affected regions, would be fulfilled. "The short term results of this flooding must be eradicated in the next few days, but the long-term development of this region is our special priority," the English-language newspaper The Messenger quoted him as saying. "I have promised children to build playgrounds in this region and I, myself, will supervise this process."

However, one month after the flooding, there is little sign of flood relief activity in the region. Alexander Tsintsadze, the acting governor of Guria, believes the aid will arrive soon, but is unsure about when, where, or how it will be delivered and distributed. "Thirty villages really suffered. Approximately 30 homes were completely destroyed. One thousand to 1,100 are just barely standing," he told EurasiaNet. "They will start handing out [5,000 lari] on Monday [November 14] although I don't know exactly. I think they will start on Monday."

Tsintsadze also stated that he does not know how the funds will be distributed or the total amount of government funds planned for flood relief. "I don't know [what the total is]. [It will come] from the presidential fund and a little from the budget," he said. "They will allot it to [victims] themselves. Those who suffered will take that money