UNHCR donates vehicles to the Oni Municipality

To ease the suffering of the population residing in these remote villages and to facilitate access to the Oni market the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees agency, UNHCR is providing the Oni Municipality with three 4x4 vehicles.

The cars will serve as public transport between the mountain villages of Tsedisi, Iri, Kvedi and Oni town center. These remote villages, located along the dividing line with South Ossetia, are totally isolated and struggle with the harsh winter conditions which aggravate the suffering of the population who for the past several years are faced with a decreased freedom of movement and limited access to core resources.

"It may not sound like a lot that UNHCR is giving three 4x4 vehicles to the most remote villages in the Racha region. Indeed, it is a small contribution to an area that needs substantial development assistance. However, the right to freedom of movement of the few families left in these remote villages close to the dividing line with South Ossetia is crucial, The UNHCR Representative in Georgia, Simone Wolken said.

UNHCR encourages the reintegration of rural populations affected by conflict and abandonment and hopes that the provision of transport to these forgotten, isolated villages will give new hope for the revival of these villages through the renewed access to markets and vital services. Provision of transport is the just first step, UNHCR is counting on the Georgian government and the international community continues assessing these remote villages.