Hundreds of volunteers help Tbilisi flood victims, clean city
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Solidarity is the best word to describe the situation in Tbilisi today as hundreds volunteered to help the affected families and clean the city’s streets after Saturday night’s deadly flood.
Spades and gloves were in short supply after volunteers – males and females, young and old - gathered in the city centre and started cleaning up the mud-drenched streets.
Everyone did what they could: volunteers worked while local businesses provided them with food and water.
Spades and gloves were in short supply after volunteers showed up and started cleaning up the mud-drenched streets. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Volunteers worked while local businesses provided them with food and water. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The country’s Prime Minister was thankful to the volunteers and tweeted: "Deepest gratitude to the people of Georgia for their unity and help in this difficult time”.
Deepest gratitude to the people of Georgia for their unity and help in this difficult time #tbilisiflood#13Junepic.twitter.com/S6iyjRrNHN
— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) June 15, 2015
Personal grievances, old offences and controversies were forgotten for the day as opposition politicians offered their help to the city Government.
"Just tell us what to do and we will,” they said, adding they were even ready for physical work.
Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili said Tbilisi was offered help from its international friends too. She added bank accounts had been created for those willing to transfer money to help people in need.
Meanwhile food and clothing is being collected for the 300 people who lost homes to the flood. People from Tbilisi and nearby cities are bringing supplies to local municipal centres.
People bring foods and clothing for affected families to lmunicipal centres. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tbilisi City Hall issued a list of goods the victims needed the most. These include personal hygiene items, such as:
- Diapers for children sized four, five and six;
- Tooth brushes and toothpaste;
- Detergents;
- Shampoo and conditioner; and
- Toilet paper.
Meanwhile clothing was also in need. People are being asked to donate:
- Underwear, shorts, T-shirts and shoes for children aged 2-15;
- Shoes for adults sized 36-44.
Tbilisi City Hall said there would enough food and a sufficient water for the next 36 hours.
"Those who feel like helping the affected people can call Lika Burduli, the person in charge of this, on the number +995 551 51 58 34,” Tbilisi City Hall said in a statement.
Today Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri made a new estimate of the cost of the damage. Yesterday he said a preliminary estimate put damages at 40 million GEL (about $18 million USD) but after reassessing the situation today, the damage "now seemed way more than this”.
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