Tbilisi flood pictures show a united Georgia
Thousands honoured for their flood response efforts

Thousands of people have been recognised by the Government of Georgia for their self-sacrifice, dedication and solidarity in the aftermath of the Tbilisi flood that claimed the lives of about two dozen people and displaced hundreds of people.

Today, exactly one month on from the disaster, a special ceremony was held in capital Tbilisi to honour more than 6,000 public servants that were involved in the rescue and recovery works.

"All damage caused by a natural disaster can be compensated but human life cannot be returned and the pain of their loss is clear for everyone to see,” said Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili today. But he noted at the heart of this great tragedy was an immense sense of solidarity, unity and support.

"We witnessed a number of stories that seemed normal at first glance but in reality these were examples of heroism that will go down in our country’s history. It is impossible to list each [hero] or to tell each story; we don’t even know names of many heroes but we know they played a role in this large show of solidarity and support.”

As part of the occasion, a selection of photographs from the days after the flood were part of an exhibition that paid tribute to the victims and everyone involved in the clean-up efforts. Images from 24 photographers, including Agenda.ge photographer Nino Alavidze, were selected to feature in today’s presentation.

See part of her post-flood gallery and her photos of Tbilisi taken before and after the disaster

The Prime Minister thanked the rescue services and all others involved in the disaster response, including Georgian and international volunteers, journalists, photographs and friendly countries.

"The whole country saw that heroes served among their ranks. They saved dozens of our citizens and risked their own lives. If it were not for their sacrifice, the number of victims would have been even higher. Unfortunately, one of the rescuers died and I bow my head in memory of him,” the PM said.

Following this Garibashvili presented certificates of gratitude to 6,605 volunteers, rescuers and others who contributed to the flood recovery efforts and noted an additional 40 people from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including rescuers from the Emergency Department, had been nominated for state awards for their flood recovery efforts.

Additionally, Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili presented various state awards to the country’s Energy Minister and vice Prime Minister Kakha Kaladze and 11employees of the Interior Ministry for their "outstanding special civic responsibility, courageous and exemplary dedication” in the days following the flood.

About 400 people from up to 80 families lost everything in the June 13 flood. These people have been temporarily rehomed in hotels and rented flats.